Brun de Vian-Tiran, Wool Manufacturers from Provence

Hand Made

For eight generations, Brun de Vian-Tiran has been making blankets with the most beautiful fibers sourced from all around the world. Two hundred years of family passion combine harmoniously with tradition, quality and creativity.

By Jean-Dominique Dalloz - Photos José Nicolas - January 15, 2012

The village of Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, the early 19th century. This little town of wool manufacturers employs the driving force of the river to turn their mill wheels. In this important weaving center in Provence, a thousand year old tradition is maintained, that of making coats for shepherds. It’s here on the banks of the Sorgue River that Charles Tiran and his son-in-law Laurent Vian founded their own factory in 1808. At the end of the 19th century, Emile Burn, who married a Vian heiress, embarked the family business upon a new era by acquiring a mechanical loom. This was the founding act of a policy of innovation that would never cease.

In the 20th century, the production tool was constantly modernized, permitting always more elaborate productions, in Asian camel hair, Peruvian alpaca, Iranian, Mongolian and Chinese cashmere, or Bolivian llama hair… The search for rare and quality fibers became a house specialty. In 1962, Louis Brun created the first mohair blanket, made with Turkish goat hair, and in 1997 Brun de Vian-Tiran rediscovered the ancient Arles Merino, Europe’s finest wool. And in the middle of the “noughties”, the company launched the Louis Brun Collection, dedicated to rare fibers: Yangir, Cashgora, Kid Mohair, King Llama, Turkmen Camel…

A constant demand for quality aligned with a strong creative talent allows the brand to resist foreign competition and to maintain a well-deserved reputation in the luxury market. Blankets, comforters, plaids, shawls, stoles and scarves sell well both in France and overseas, where Brun de Vian-Tiran exports more than 20 percent of its production. Today, the walls of the mill are still decorated with their beautiful wooden wheels. The eighth generation of blanket-makers continues to fabricate pieces which bring softness and warmth to comfort junkies. It’s enough to make you want to spend all winter in bed.

Discover

Brun de Vian-Tiran

2 cours Victor Hugo

L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue

Tél. 04 90 38 00 81

www.brundeviantiran.com

• Tags :
• Provence,
• Craftsmen in Provence