Our Story

A Family History

Stationed in Evereux, France in 1937, Jean Lemaire, a Lieutenant in the French Army, came to appreciate and admire the artistic value of military motifs. He viewed military decoration as a fertile source of inspiration from which Paris’s renowned fashion houses could seek muse for their sumptuous silk scarf designs and collections.

Eighteen years later, as a Major in a cavalry regiment (1er Regiment de Chasseurs d’Afrique) stationed in Rabat, Morocco, Lemaire entered and subsequently won a competition sponsored by Crown Prince Moulay Hassan, future King Hassan II, to re-design the flags, uniforms, rank crests and badges for the Morocco’s Royal Army.

In 1957, Jean Lemaire retired from the Army. Fulfilling his life-long desire to capture and promote the beauty garnered from military décor, he established his own family-owned business. His aim was to furnish both the military and private companies with prestigious articles to enhance their image. Over the years,LR. Paris (France), based in Paris, has prospered thanks to its traditional and stead fast values; quality, reliability and exceptional customer service.

LR. Paris USA

On September 11, 2001, Charles Doligé left Paris, France, aspiring to establish LR. Paris USA in Washington, D.C.. Undeterred by the fact he knew no one in the U.S. and that he had been turned back to France, Mr. Doligé returned to the U.S. a week later to set up his upscale corporate gift company. The events, which transpired on that historic day, shaped the evolution of his American dream. Despite uncertainty, Mr. Doligé quickly built an exclusive clientele that included the President and First Lady of the United Sates, The U.S. Department of State, The Boeing Company and The White House Historical Association to name a few.

Through the years, LR. Paris’s products have been commissioned for various occasions and uses.

For President and Mrs. Bush, LR. Paris designed traditional scarves annually depicting various facets and imagery inspired by The White House to offer as protocol gifts by the President and First Lady.

The U.S. Department of State, commissioned a silk scarf to use in fundraising efforts for the restoration of the Hotel de Talleyrand in Paris, where the Marshall Plan was signed. LR. Paris has also furnished a collection of Limoges, Porcelain plates offered by the Department’s Undersecretaries as gifts.

The Ritz-Carlton in Washington, D.C. recently commissioned a silk and wool shawl to serve as a key gift to offer its exclusive clientele to commemorate President Obama’s historic inauguration.

Since it’s inception, LR. Paris’s (USA) hallmarks have included refinement, quality craftsmanship, attention to detail and unsurpassed client service. The company has grown and prospered and today includes three distinct divisions; one specializing in higher end corporate and business gifts, the second focused on custom made and commissioned branded promotional articles and the third furnishing traditional promotional products and business premiums.