ARE YOU READY TO BE SEDUCED BY FAURÉ LE PAGE?

It was like a vision: a French Richard Gere-meets-Pierce Brosnan holding a gun pouch (their younger versions, of course). And then history vignettes, luxe retail industry talk and plenty of laughter.

This was how I met Augustin de Buffévent at the new Fauré Le Page shop in Greenbelt 4. The general manager in the Philippines, Mario Katigbak, did not prepare my mind for this encounter. De Buffévent is handsome, adorable and funny; there was never a dull moment with him.

In his previous life, he was a marketing guy for a French brand, until his love for artwatching and museum-hopping led him to discover a brand that is two centuries old: Fauré Le Page. The hunting tools of Louis XVI and a saber of Napoleon were signed "Fauré Le Page." How could he ignore it?

De Buffévent bought this brand that was in the hands of seven generations of the family that owned it. His present life as director general and artistic director has allowed him to mix history with contemporary in a brand that now seduces the modern generation.

Imagine a product named "Urban Knight Gangsta Pouch" and you get the picture. Fauré Le Page is like a fresh wind of coolness in this war-weary world. Which brings us to a clarification: the ancient Fauré Le Page did not manufacture tools for destruction. More like ceremonial weapons that were badges of power, prestige and bravery.

PHILIPPINE STAR: You're described as a man of humor. You promote your brand, Fauré Le Page (FLP), in an amusing way.

AUGUSTIN DE BUFFÉVENT: This is part of the Parisian spirit. The motto of Fauré Le Page is "Armed for seduction." Humor is the best weapon of seduction.

Armed, indeed. The brand started in 1717 - that makes it the oldest Parisian luxury leather house - as a maker of guns and armor for royalty as well as revolutionaries. What attracted you to the brand?