the genesis of les yeux nouveaux began purely as a personal project to create high-quality, well-fitting garments, an idea born from a long-standing frustration with most clothing options available.
founder and designer rey de la rosa became heavily interested in clothing and cinema throughout his childhood, inspired by westerns and noir films of the 1960's, and suspense-fueled thrillers of the 1990's. as a teenager, rey briefly explored garment construction, influenced by punk ideals and experimental motifs of alternative music.
coming from a working-class background, rey spent his formative years working warehouses and construction sites, gradually saving enough to fund travels abroad to japan and mexico. these journeys proved transformative, offering new perspectives on culture and identity while sparking a lasting interest in design and antique clothing. At the age of 21, Rey founded les yeux nouveaux, a creative project born from his deepening appreciation for human craftsmanship and his commitment to reinterpreting forgotten artifacts from the past.
origins
with a concept focused on the qualities of antique garments and items, it was necessary to adopt a strict commitment to craft all garments from natural materials, especially since an estimated 70% of all clothing today is made from synthetic materials derived from fossil fuels and petroleum chemicals. these synthetic materials do not decompose naturally and shed microplastics into the earth's ecosystem, fueling environmental pollution and waste.
this reevaluation of modern practices led to the core philosophy of les yeux nouveaux: an unwavering pursuit of slow, ethical craftsmanship, and a continuation of heritage values.