The venerable French leather goods house, Longchamp, has historically been synonymous with Parisian chic—its iconic Le Pliage tote a fixture in every discerning French woman’s wardrobe. Yet, for its Fall/Winter 2025 collection, Creative Director Sophie Delafontaine looked across the English Channel, crafting a profound “love letter to savoir-faire” that marries the refined craftsmanship of France with the rugged, timeless utility of British heritage. The result is a collection steeped in warm wools, rich textures, and a tailored sensibility inspired by the windswept landscapes of the Cotswolds and the sophisticated layering of London. At the heart of this collection is a landmark collaboration with the historic duffle coat maker Gloverall, creating a fusion of French design elegance and enduring British practicality. By embracing this Anglo-French dialogue, Longchamp delivers a collection that is both fiercely cozy and effortlessly cosmopolitan, proving that style transcends borders when tradition is honored.
The Signature Alliance: Longchamp x Gloverall
The cornerstone of the Fall/Winter 2025 collection is a powerful and unexpected collaboration with Gloverall, the quintessential British label renowned for producing its iconic duffle coats for over seven decades. This partnership, described by Sophie Delafontaine as inspired by a “shared appreciation for history, design, and craftsmanship,” bridges two distinct European legacies built on enduring quality and timeless style. The goal was to produce a limited-edition capsule that truly honors the heritage of both houses.
The result of this collaboration is a beautifully executed duffle coat available in two striking, seasonal colors: a rich nutmeg yellow and a classic navy blue. Crafted from thick, substantial wool, the coat is designed to be worn effortlessly over the cozy, voluminous knitwear characteristic of the fall season, offering a loose yet protective fit essential for unpredictable weather. Adding a distinctive layer of British charm, the coats feature a traditional tartan interior lining and practical, large flap pockets, making the piece a utilitarian dream.
The collaboration finds its most ingenious moment in the detail of the toggle. Here, the traditional wooden fastener of the duffle coat is replaced by Longchamp’s signature bamboo-shaped clasp, an iconic motif famously featured in their Le Roseau collection. Delafontaine notes this as a profound “full-circle moment,” as the original Le Roseau clasp, designed three decades prior, was itself inspired by the distinctive wooden toggles of the Gloverall duffle coat. This subtle yet meaningful exchange elevates the collaboration beyond a simple co-branding exercise, transforming the coat into a piece of shared design history.
The London and Cotswolds Narrative
The collection’s thematic journey across the English Channel is not merely confined to the Gloverall collaboration; the aesthetic is imbued with the spirit of the British Isles. The entire campaign was shot against the evocative backdrops of London and the idyllic, pastoral landscape of the Cotswolds, visually underscoring the shift in inspiration.
The garments reflect the practical layering and textured depth required by the British climate. The collection features a suite of elegant outerwear designed for transitional weather, including crisp trench coats and sumptuously textured shearling and suede jackets. The knitwear offerings are notably cozy, intended to be the foundational layer that allows the luxury outerwear to shine. The color palette itself leans heavily into rich, autumnal hues, favoring deep, earthy tones—the nutmeg, taupe, and navy that feel instantly grounded and sophisticated—befitting the misty, historic settings that inspired the collection’s creative direction.
Redefining Iconic Handbags with Texture and Shape
While the collection introduces bold new apparel, Longchamp’s core identity remains rooted in its leather goods. Creative Director Delafontaine took the opportunity to remix the brand’s most iconic handbag styles, updating them for the modern fall season with new textures, materials, and silhouettes that complement the collection’s refined, practical aesthetic.
The globally recognized Le Pliage tote, typically known for its lightweight nylon construction, is reimagined in a more luxurious, cold-weather-appropriate iteration. This version features a sleek leather finish and a contemporary slouchy shape, moving the bag from a versatile daily carryall to a structured, sophisticated accessory. The Le Foulonné line, a collection celebrated for its distinct pebbled leather, is reintroduced in an elegant, arch-shaped, minimalist handbag silhouette. This design emphasizes clean lines and understated form, offered in fresh, warm colors like nutmeg and taupe that tie directly into the collection’s overall palette.
Utilitarian Elegance in Accessories
The accessories ensure that even the most dedicated Longchamp followers have new, essential pieces to covet. The continued prominence of the Le Roseau line, featuring its distinctive bamboo-shaped clasp, reinforces the theme of design lineage and historical inspiration that connects the accessories back to the Gloverall collaboration.
The collection features various sizes of the Le Roseau tote and shoulder bags, crafted to be large enough for the demands of modern life while still exuding a minimalist French sophistication. The enduring message of the accessory line is one of utilitarian elegance: these are bags designed to be carried through city streets or across the country in style, without sacrificing the roominess or durability for which Longchamp is celebrated. By integrating the British influences with a focus on classic French luxury materials, Delafontaine has curated a Fall/Winter 2025 collection that is warm, worldly, and a truly successful merger of two great design traditions.
