INTRODUCING THE NEW PALLABROUSSE LEGACY, FRENCH FOOTWEAR BRAND PALLADIUM CELEBRATE ITS 75thANNIVERSARY ON AN EXCLUSIVE COLLABORATION WITH THE FRENCH FOREIGN LEGION
Standing the test of time for over 75 years, Palladium has been closely linked with the French Foreign Legion for decades. The French footwear brand, Palladium, was founded and created in 1947 under the auspices of the French Foreign Legion who requested boots that were lightweight, technical, and resistant to all the types of terrains, such as the jungle or desert, where they were deployed.
With 2022 being an anniversary year, Palladium wanted to create a very special Pallabrousse - the original Palladium boot style - to celebrate the origins of the brand and this long-lasted relationship.
Created in March 10th, 1831, the French Foreign Legion - Légion Étrangère - is a large and elite military unit which is open to all, regardless of origin, background or past. Nearly 150 different nationalities put themselves forward to don the famous white cap.
Nicknamed the ‘white képis’ - due to the colour and style of the hats they wear - the Legion participates in civil-military missions, protecting and peacekeeping populations all over the world. The colours of the Legion are red and green, they come from the heritage of the Swiss guards who formed the Second Foreign Legion in 1855. These colours are fully integrated within the unit’s traditions and are found in all the Legion’s flags.
Its motto - Legio Patria Nostra (the legion is our homeland/country) dictates the conduct of the Legionnaires on a daily basis.
By joining the Legion, the identity of the soldier can be forgotten to become a French Legionnaire; the idea of ‘starting over’, to choose to discover something else, leaving your family to realize your full potential.
Staying true to the origins of both the Legion and Palladium, the Lieutenant-Colonel of the Legion contacted Palladium after its recent 75th anniversary to work together on a special anniversary product celebrating this enduring alliance.
The ‘Pallabrousse Legacy’ is a special reinterpretation of Palladium’s original and timeless Pallabrousse boot first made for the French Foreign Legion over 75 years ago.
Coming in two colours - Olive Night, a reminder of the jungle of Indochina where almost 73,000 Légionnaires were enrolled and Caramel, referencing the desert, the Rif od Morroco and mostly Algeria where the Legion has its Maison Mère in Sidi-bel-Abbès.
The new boot in heavy canvas, just like the original shoe, also features a striking Legion logo patch in the signature white, green and red colours of the division on the inside heel of the boot and a corresponding branded tongue in natural camel leather, referencing the ceremonial apron outfits of the legionnaire.
The French Foreign Legion logo is composed of 3 elements: the name - Légion Étrangère, the representation of the white képi hat, and the Legion flame - symbolising a grenade with 7 flames, including 2 in the bottom representing the elite nature of the troops.
Starting over never looked so good with the legacy between the Légion Etrangère and Palladium as a strong as ever and enduring in both functional and style terms in perpetuity.
A timeless design, the Pallabrousse continues to inspire the fashion world from the battlefield to the runway to the street.
Available at the Palladium store in Parkhurst, Johannesburg and online.
Price Range: R2 800.00