When luxury becomes armor

Here, every article is written by those who believe that bulletproof and stab-proof vests can be reinvented: welcome to VEST PARIS , where elegance and innovation discreetly meet.

We now live in a world where security has become a luxury. It's only natural, then, that the luxury industry should embrace this security criterion and incorporate it into its creations.

This evolution in the vision of luxury is accompanied by another phenomenon: the growing demands of customers. willing to spend but expecting compensation, including sustainability. This sector must therefore get in tune by combining two values without compromising on either: protection and sophistication.

Whether to counter shocks, bad weather or urban threats, luxury brands are investing in ultra-resistant materials, sometimes inspired by worlds synonymous with ultimate innovations such as military and aerospace.

The FLUX editorial team invites you into the era of safe fashion.

Luggage: "invulnerability" mission

Luggage is no longer just a matter of aesthetics.

Take RIMOWA : its anodized aluminum isn't just a nod to aviation, it's a real armor against shocks. The German brand has perfected the art of high-strength, lightweight, and virtually indestructible polycarbonate.

But for those looking for even more ruggedness, you should look to Mission Workshop . This Californian brand designs backpacks that are a cross between streetwear and military equipment. 1000D ballistic nylon, Fidlock magnetic closures, waterproof YKK zippers... Every detail is designed to withstand the worst scenarios: bad weather, snatch theft, or simple wear and tear.

Moreover, the use of ballistic nylon is nothing new. This ultra-resistant fabric was originally designed during World War II to protect aviators from bullet and metal fragments. Since then, it has been repurposed for luxury bags ( Tumi makes it one of its major selling points), as well as for certain technical clothing.

Technical clothing: style under high protection

As we consider the new urban lifestyle, which now includes multiple ways to get around in a day, the issue of safety becomes even more pressing. Traveling by bicycle or motorcycle in the city often means slaloming between chaos and danger.

This is precisely where VEST PARIS comes in, with clothing that combines aesthetics and protection. Protection against the elements with materials that resist rain, sweat, and intense cold; protection against falls with the option of integrating standardized motorcycle patches on the elbows, shoulders, and back; and high-visibility protection with reflective material. This material is discreet enough not to spoil the design of the clothing.

Kevlar, originally developed by Dupont in the 1960s for reinforced tires, is now ubiquitous in the technical fashion industry. Brands like Spidi and Belstaff incorporate it into motorcycle jackets, offering optimal protection but considerably adding weight to the garment and silhouette. This is the big difference with VEST PARIS, which uses a material as resistant as Kevlar or Cordura, a material originally developed for the military, called RESCUE.

Other brands like TOMO for women also offer this type of daily protection in their clothing.

Some brands are now incorporating active protection technologies. Helite and Dainese, for example, have developed jackets with integrated airbags that can inflate in a fraction of a second in the event of an accident. This revolutionary approach could well become the standard in urban clothing.

VEST PARIS goes much further in its security offering with its V007 bulletproof model.

Sneakers also affected

Even sneakers are not immune to the trend: some brands like Nike and Under Armour are incorporating Dyneema into their shoes to ensure maximum tear resistance.

Luxury accessories: durability as the ultimate argument

Luxury has never been all about brilliance. Many everyday luxury accessories are also designed with strength and durability as a central theme. Here are a few examples.

THE WATCHES:

Let's take the High-end watches: a Rolex Submariner is not just a piece of status jewelry, it is also designed for underwater exploration with its virtually scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and titanium or ceramic case.

This latter material, widely used in the aerospace and military industries, is now found at Audemars Piguet and Richard Mille, who boast its lightness and extreme robustness.

SMALL LUGGAGE:

The same applies to RFID-blocking leather wallets and bags, which block data theft attempts. Montblanc and Tumi have integrated this technology into their business ranges, offering invisible but extremely effective protection.

As for high-end sunglasses (Oakley, Vuarnet), they are often equipped with high-resistance polycarbonate lenses, capable of absorbing shocks without breaking.

TRAVEL ACCESSORIES

The world of luxury travel gear has also adopted innovations directly from the defense and aviation industries. Horizn Studios suitcases, for example, incorporate aerospace-grade polycarbonate shells, while Samsonite has developed ultra-secure closures inspired by industrial locksmithing.

THE GLASSES

High-end sunglasses like Oakley or Vuarnet often feature high-strength polycarbonate lenses that can withstand impacts without breaking.