Cover S.T. Dupont reintroduces feminine glamour to the house with a series of newly launched handbags (Photo: courtesy of ST Dupont)
S.T. Dupont reintroduces feminine glamour to the house with a series of newly launched handbags (Photo: courtesy of ST Dupont)
1 / 1
With the French maison opening its new Asia flagship store at Harvey Nichols in Pacific Place last December, CEO Alain Crevet sat down with Tatler to discuss the brand’s modernisation, the reintroduction of women’s leather goods and his vision to revamp a legendary luxury name
A luxury house earns legendary status not only through the quality of its products but also by becoming intertwined with people’s lives. For instance, Frenchman Alain Crevet had a personal connection to S.T. Dupont long before he became the brand’s CEO. “When I completed my university studies, my father, an avid cigar smoker, gifted me a Dupont lighter, which quickly became a cherished possession,” he says. “Many weekends were spent with my grandfather, indulging in cigars and cognac, and engaging in discussions about politics and history.”
The luxury manufacturer, with its 152-year history, has produced a wide array of luxury goods, including leatherware, lighters and pens, since its founding in 1872. Crevet joined S.T. Dupont in 2006 with a clear mission—to modernise the brand, and to reintroduce feminine glamour to it.
Read more: ST Dupont launches its new concept store in Hong Kong, alongside new leather goods collections
Above S.T. Dupont CEO Alain Crevet (Photo: Humphrey Ng)
S.T. Dupont CEO Alain Crevet (Photo: Humphrey Ng)
1 / 1
S.T. Dupont is a brand with 152 years of history. What do you find most interesting about its heritage?
What fascinates me most is the revelation that, 152 years ago, Dupont began his business as a maker of trunk travel cases and leather goods. Empress Eugénie, wife of Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte, was one of his first clients, ordering a custom travel case. This trend continued with other notable women of the 19th century. These travel cases were renowned for their inclusion of various accessories like brushes, lighters and cosmetic pouches. It surprised me because Dupont was most famous for its lighters and pens, and its image was often seen as more masculine. This is why I wanted to change that perception and embrace the heritage of the travel cases, which is what we are doing today.
What do you think it is about S.T. Dupont that makes it a favourite among political elites and other influential individuals?
I believe our strength lies in our ability to personalise and create custom, bespoke items. This has been a significant aspect of our heritage, and I revitalised this practice when I joined 17 years ago. During that time, when “made in France” products were being promoted by President [Nicolas] Sarkozy, I had the chance to meet him and showcase our work. I shared examples, such as the custom-made travel case gifted to Queen Elizabeth by a former French President on behalf of the French Republic. Whenever notable figures like [Barack] Obama or Angela Merkel visited, there was always a demand for something unique to be created, including personalised pens, wallets, briefcases and, occasionally, lighters. This exceptional level of personalisation and craftsmanship sets us apart.
S.T. Dupont 1872 shopping bag (Photo: courtesy of ST Dupont)
1 / 2
What are the major drivers of reintroducing the women’s leather goods line, and what exciting new features can we expect?
This new concept aligns perfectly with my initial vision. Our focus has been on creating a simple yet elegant experience, emphasising beautiful details and ensuring the highest quality of craftsmanship.
One of our early ideas was the Apex [collection/range], symbolising the peak or summit. It draws inspiration from an important moment in the brand’s history when an Indian maharaja, accompanied by his 100 wives, visited Paris in the 1930s. He ordered 100 evening bags, also known as minaudières, together with 100 lighters to be placed in each bag. This incident sparked Dupont’s idea to create a lighter. Today, we have reimagined those minaudières as Apex mini trunks, featuring reworked leather with a captivating 3D texture effect.
Another line named Riviera is also inspired by our history. In the 1950s, legendary actress Audrey Hepburn commissioned a Dupont bag—a slightly larger, weekender-style bag with a special compartment for her make-up. This unique bag became popular among actresses of that time. Now, we have introduced a lighter and more contemporary rendition. It retains the exclusive front pocket for its owner and is secured with a lock shaped like a Dupont lighter.
And finally—and also my favourite—is the X-Bag. It features an iconic motif of our maison, the Fire Head—a three-sided pyramid with a prominent tip. Collaborating with our Italian partners, we crafted a premium leather design with a striking 3D effect. By arranging four Fire Head pyramids on the front panel, it forms an X shape. This bag exudes strong character, perfectly embodying the kind of femininity Dupont aims to create.
S.T. Dupont Riviera bag (Photo: courtesy of ST Dupont)
1 / 3
How do you envision S.T. Dupont will continue to strike a balance between heritage and innovation in future?
Our manufacturing workshop, established 152 years ago near the Alps, remains in operation today. It serves as the birthplace of bespoke pieces and a stronghold of craftsmanship. As a moderately sized company, we offer high levels of customisation, which will remain unchanged. We continually explore new ways to present our crafts, such as developing lighters with dual flame options and innovative leather treatments in our latest women’s collection. Innovation enhances our tradition with modernity, reflecting our commitment to balance heritage and innovation.
