Known as GINGHAM in the english-speaking world, this checkpatterned cloth is found, not only all across Europe from Spain to Sweden and beyond, but also in many other parts of the world. The french name ‘VICHY’ was adopted in the 19th century when the french textile industry was blossoming. The imperial court of the time demanded huge quantities of cloth, which in turn fueled the flourishing textile factories. The emporer Napoleon III never failed to visite manufacturers when travelling; the spa town of Vichy was one of his favorite watering-holes. His emporess Eugenie and her court fell in love and bought themselves vast quantities; their fashions and elegance took France and Europe by storm. Atelier Franquette’s design team are imagining new products every day.