Le Minor
Le Minor is a Breton knitwear and clothing maker founded in 1922 near Lorient, France. It produces marinières, sailor jumpers and other maritime classics in its own workshops in Guidel.
| Founded | 1922 |
|---|---|
| Origin | Lorient, Brittany |
| Workshop | Guidel, France |
| Signature | Marinière and pull marin |
| Own shops | Paris and Guidel |
| Website | leminor.fr |
What is Le Minor?
Le Minor is a French ready-to-wear brand from Brittany specialising in maritime classics. It traces its origins to 1922, when a workshop called MBL, the Manufacture de Bonneterie Lorientaise, opened in Lorient. Since the 1960s its main workshop has been in Guidel, about 15 km from Lorient.
Products and positioning
The collection is built on traditional naval garments:
- The marinière, the striped Breton top
- The pull marin and pull officier knitted jumpers
- The vareuse smock
- A reworked kabig, sold as a duffle coat
Seasonal collections, beachwear and a second-hand section for past pieces complement the core range.
Production
Le Minor manufactures in its own workshops in Brittany, from knitting through to finishing. Knitwear is produced on flat knitting machines and striped cotton jersey on large circular machines, using cotton spun in France at one of the country's last two cotton spinning mills.
Distribution
The brand sells through its own shops in Paris and Guidel, online and via French retail partners.
Why it matters
Le Minor is one of the remaining vertically integrated makers of the Breton marinière, keeping knitting and garment production in France.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Le Minor made?
Le Minor garments are made in the brand's own workshops in Guidel, Brittany, from knitting to finishing.
When was Le Minor founded?
Le Minor traces its origins to 1922 and a knitting workshop in Lorient called MBL.