Bistro Tea Towel, Buvard

The ancient city of Armentières sits just south of the border of Belgium, and for centuries has produced much of France’s best textiles. By the late 18^th Century, it was known as cite de la toile for its fabric expertise. Coincidentally, or perhaps not, the house of TRP Charvet was founded in 1866 and remains the world’s pre-eminent source of linen to this day.

While the company relies on the traditional linen manufacturing the region is famed for, it doesn’t shy away from progress, but instead relies on modern weaving to produce classic tea towels in joyous overdyed colorways, some with jacquard woven lettering or windowpane plaid. Its aprons remind wearers that cooking should be a pleasure: luxurious in length and boasting a large double pocket in front, they perfectly embody the blend of time-tested technique and contemporary comfort TRP Charvet has perfected over its 150-plus year history.