00Bergere (F)_LK Regular Template 25/03/2013 09:31 Page 2
Feature
An Enterprising
FAMILY Kerry Knight Maher uncovers the history of Bergère de France
A
quaint, medieval French town is home to Bergère de France, a yarn company whose products are seeping into the knitting bags of UK knitters. Many of us have heard of them, especially due to their recent, and very successful, national campaign, but who are they exactly? And what makes them so special? Crochet yoke sweater from Spring/Summer collection
Vest and jacket from Summer Mag 0-10 yrs
What’s the Story? Bar-le-Duc, in the heart of the Lorraine Champagne region, and its scattering of Renaissance architecture, is the backdrop for not only the history of Bergère de France but also its headquarters themselves. In 1946, the founder of Bergère, Mr Robert Petit, launched into
the yarn industry as a wool merchant buying and selling ready-spun yarns. Due to his continued success, he decided to expand his business by taking full control of the manufacturing process and establishing a factory in 1961. And so began the creation and distribution of Bergère’s own brand of yarns to the French population.
All under one roof Bergère now has the unique position of being the last large industrial woollen mill in France, with a factory that covers 14 acres and employs over 350 people. With their mill and its advanced technology, Bergère undertake all the processes of
www.letsknit.co.uk 35
00Bergere (F)_LK Regular Template 25/03/2013 10:30 Page 3
Bergère’s latest pattern magazines Spring/Summer collection No.166 has 28 knitting and crochet patterns for beginner to expert levels. The garments all have an air of unique chic synonymous with French summers. Turn to page 38 for an extract from this latest collection. It costs £6.90 from 0845 8383 762, www.intoknit.co.uk Summer Mag 0-10 yrs No.167 has 42 knitting and crochet patterns and features two of the new knitting yarns, Bohème and Eclipse. It costs £6.90 from 01395 227 277, www.fiddlesticks devon.co.uk Origin’ 005 collection contains 24 patterns for the luxury yarn range Origin’. This includes patterns using mohair, merino, alpaca, cashmere, silk, soy, bamboo and 100% milk protein yarns. It costs £9 from 01829 740903, www.laughinghens.com To learn more about Bergère de France, and to find retail stockists of the brand in the UK and Ireland, visit www.bergeredefrance.co.uk
Tour de France Bergère de France regularly holds tours around its factory in Bar-de-Luc which covers the production and logistics areas and ends with the opportunity to purchase a selection of Bergère yarns and fashion in their factory outlet. For more information and tickets, go to www.tourisme-barleduc.fr
36 www.letsknit.co.uk
producing their yarns within their factory. They believe this enables the company to closely monitor all aspects of quality control and react to market trends immediately, which is something few other companies in the industry can boast. Additionally, all their products are kept in stock at their factory, so when you order direct from them you won’t be disappointed with anything being out of stock, which is great news for us.
Keeping it in the Family Bergère’s success has been a continuous family affair with the company now being run by Jean-Louis and Geoffrey, Mr Petit’s son and grandson respectively. Each has contributed in his own way to drive the company forward, by developing new avenues for the business and markets to accomplish. The UK market is just one part of their plan for international success in the yarn industry and they’re already kicking up a storm with the beautiful array of yarns, patterns, knitwear and accessories on sale.
Bergère de France means “the French sheperdess”
Knowing Knitters With a business consultant specifically assigned to develop their UK market, Bergère clearly know how important knitting is to the UK as a whole. With the decline of knitting’s popularity well and truly behind us and the era of handmade items taking a strong hold on our nation, it’s clear that Bergère understand the UK market well, as Colin Chawner, their consultant, explains, “The knitting consumer today is very savvy, but they are inspired initially by the styling, photography and attention to detail of designs.” Bergère’s latest spring/summer collection shows this understanding with an array of knits that are suitable across the broad age range of knitters, as well as the varying levels of experience.
Zen from Origin’ 005 collection
Once upon a time...
1962 1946
Patterns Galore
Mr Petit launches into the yarn trade as a wool merchant, buying and selling ready-spun yarns Bergère de France take full control of the manufacturing process of their yarns
00Bergere (F)_LK Regular Template 25/03/2013 10:31 Page 4
Stock up your stash Pur Mérinos Français is 100% Arles merino wool sourced from local farmers in France. Available in 12 colours, it is a soft and regular yarn which is hardwearing and easy on sensitive skin. It costs £5.75 per 50g (120m) ball from 01279 771153, www.modernknitting.co.uk Duvetine is a synthetic yarn with a 73% acrylic, 19% polyamide and 8% polyester blend available in eight colours. It has a subtle wool-like texture with a discreet mix of light and dark colours in both thick and fine fibres. It costs £2.95 per 50g (70m) ball from 01793 855535, www.crafty-yarn.co.uk
On Trend
Paris and fashion go hand in hand, and with more young knitters joining our craft, what is anticipated for current and future fashion trends is becoming an increasingly important aspect of the industry. Colin tells us that Bergère work very closely with Paris based trend agencies, “Both in terms of trends but also colour direction for future seasons, which they then interpret as relevant for the Hand Knitting Market.” The results of this collaboration can be seen throughout their patterns and the colour ranges they launch from season to season.
Feature The latest yarn ranges from Bergère de France
Bohème is available in eight summer colours and is a blend of 12% polyester, 14% polyamide, 20% cotton and 54% acrylic. With an irregular twist and mottled colours this is a seasonal favourite. It costs £3.50 per 50g (142m) ball from 01377 255093, www.littlehoundsdalesknits.com Cosmos is a loopy yarn that has a 51% acrylic, 24% cotton, 11% wool, 11% alpaca and 3% polyester mix. With a choice of eight shades, the colours and textures used make any stitch special. It costs £2.70 per 50g (75m) ball from 01908 370644, www.myangelsknitting.co.uk
Customer Confidence
Norvège is a light and airy yarn that has a hint of mohair. With a 40% wool, 40% acrylic and 20% mohair blend, it is a soft and bouncy yarn. It costs £5.85 per 50g (140m) ball from 01234 273400, www.avidknit.co.uk Eclipse is a great yarn for summer knits. It has a 73% acrylic, 20% cotton and 7% polyester mix, and is available in ten colours. With a loose twist and just a hint of sparkle it is especially suited for evening wear knits. It costs £3.95 per 50g (89m) ball from 01924 565740, www.woolnstuff.co.uk
Strappy top from Spring/Summer collection
In France, Bergère is seen as an expert in yarns and this level of expertise has travelled well in its journey across the English Channel as they’re confident their product will continue to be well-received by UK knitters. “Once they have knitted with the high quality yarns of Bergère de France, more often that not they buy into the brand again for their next project.” Colin reports. They pride themselves on ensuring the best customer service and offer helpful advice throughout the knitting process and after. What more could we ask for?
What’s in Store?
The Company launch internationally with subsidiaries in Canada, Belgium and Holland
Jean-Louis Petit launches yarns for textile professionals and the first ready-to-wear collections Bergère de France embark online with their first e-commerce site in France
Grande Braderie Coinciding with the “Renaissances” 5TH-7TH festival in Bar-le-Duc, every summer Bergère bring their stock outside and have a big summer sale at their woollen mill.
JULY
2012 2009
Their mill doubles in size and the company develops a network of shops
2000 1999
1979 1971
Short sleeve sweater from Summer Mag 0-10 yrs
So, what can we expect from Bergère in the future? Well, for a start the full French collection with English translations will become available for the autumn/winter season of 2013/2014. The Company is also launching a premium collection featuring luxury fibres with supporting designs. Finally, and it will come as no surprise really, we anticipate seeing more and more knitting shops, online and on the high street, stocking a wide range of Bergère de France yarns, accessories and design collections for us all to enjoy.
The Company create a collection of premium yarns, Origin’ by Bergère Bergère de France launch websites for Belgium, UK, USA and Canada
www.letsknit.co.uk 37