Les Toiles Du Soleil

Around 1860 the first mechanical loom was introduced into the village of St. Laurent de Cerdans, in the Catalan region of Southwest France. Quickly a thriving industry arose making fabrics for sandals and espadrilles. This tiny town in the Pyrénées prospered as a center of the espadrille industry until business slowed in the mid-twentieth century with the last factory closing its door in 1994, killing the principal source of employment for the village.

Along came Françoise and Henri Quinta, themselves of Catalan origin, who were enchanted by the town and its history. Weavers and designers themselves, they wanted to recreate the artisinal heritage using the original looms. They acquired the old factory and equipment, then used the traditional striped patterns of the region as the jumping off point for their vivid and incomparably sophisticated color palettes.

And their creativity has extended not just to the colors but also to the products themselves, stretching far beyond espadrilles to include deck chairs, beach bags, and those cheeky shoes, razzeteurs.

We applaud their efforts both to the world of design and to a small village, its heritage and prosperity.