In 1918, Etienne Valton - the son of Petit Bateau founder Pierre Valton - was inspired by this nursery rhyme to cut the legs off long johns worn at the time. The classic cotton pants we know today were born!

Quality

More than 80% of the products are manufactured in France or in Petit Bateau own factories in North Africa, with each stage subject to strict quality control, maintaining the expertise and quality for which the company is known. As Petit Bateau has grown internationally, it has developed skills outside of its core knitting business: for 20% of the production, Petit Bateau has joined forces with selected expert partners. 

Petit Bateau's raw materials purchasing policy is based on 3 main lines of action: Quality of the yarns and fibres used: the harvesting process has a strong impact on the final quality of the knitwear of the finished products; Economic criteria: price and capacity; Supplier durability, durability, tools, procedure: according to the report, the spinning mills are known, the cotton fields have been visited by the Petit Bateau teams. 

Fabrication

Initially, there is a cotton thread that unwinds like a cocoon. Chosen under the strict requirements of Petit Bateau, it is turned into rib knit or jersey in the knitting machines. This knitted fabric is then immersed for 6 to 12 hours in a bath of dye, so that it takes the full depth of color. Then the seamstresses bring to life the pieces created by the design team. The knitted fabrics and patterns are cut, screen prints are printed and embroidery embroidered! Finally comes the manual and precise assembly of different parts and meticulous finishing. From the yarn quality to the final product, each step is strictly controlled. Petit Bateau products are tested from every angle before leaving the factory.

Partnerships

Petit Bateau regularly collaborates with fashion designers, including Carven, Tsumori Chisato, Cedric Charlier, Monsieur Christian Lacroix, Maison Kitsuné, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac and Ines de la Fressange, who have created capsule collections reinventing our iconic pieces. Petit Bateau also supports young artists through an innovative partnership with the International Festival of Fashion and Photography of Hyères, giving carte blanche to the winner to create a capsule collection. 

Engagement

Very committed to the creativity of children, Petit Bateau has been involved in a sponsorship action with the association La Source since 2014 (La Source is an association whose mission is to help children and young people aged 6 to 18 in difficulty to develop their artistic creativity). Through this partnership, Petit Bateau finances 3 to 5 creative and artistic internships for children in difficulty and provides textile equipment (fabrics, thread, packaging...) that is used in their workshops. 

Investing in these social causes is also important for employees. These actions are an opportunity to participate in something that makes sense. Indeed, companies, beyond the products they offer, have a role to play within their communities: they participate in access to employment, social welfare, etc. 

For example, the Rocher group donates some of its unsold products to the Dons Solidaires association. The latter is in charge of redistributing them to people in material or moral distress. Thus, products are not destroyed and people in difficulty can have access to basic and quality products!

Copyright all photos: Petit Bateau