The Forest of the Three Sailors
When the sea meets the forest, something rare happens. A slow, almost silent alchemy, where the raw canvas of sailors is infused with living pigments. This is precisely where the collaboration between Béton Ciré and Matthieu Ruiz comes to life: at the crossroads of heritage and experimentation, between craftsmanship and textile poetry.
A collaboration that settles over time
Initially conceived as a limited series, this collaboration quickly took on a life of its own. The pieces resonate, circulate, and endure. Rather than a fleeting moment, it becomes an open chapter, destined to return, evolve, and reinvent itself with the seasons.
A first edition, released as an exclusive preview in very limited quantities… before an anticipated return next spring.
Color as a living material
Here, color is not chosen from a chart. It is grown.
Each hat is hand-dyed in Paris using natural pigments, notably indigo extracted from leaves. A living dye process, almost unpredictable:
the fabric first emerges green, then oxidizes in contact with air to reveal a deep, vibrant blue, never entirely the same.
The result:
irregular, organic, one-of-a-kind shades.
Pieces that carry within them the gesture, the time, and the material.
Craftsmanship: dyeing with nature
Designer and artisan Matthieu Ruiz explores plant-based dyeing as a field of experimentation. Leaves, roots, natural fibers… each element becomes a source of color.
Every hat is crafted by hand, revealing a depth and texture impossible to replicate industrially.
A rare expertise that restores a nearly tactile, emotional dimension to the garment.
An object in its own right
Extending this approach, each piece comes with a singular object:
a sailor’s bottle containing a portion of organic pigment, along with its secret recipe.
A fragment of color.
A nod to its vegetal origin.
A reminder that each hat is, quite literally, unique.
Between sea and forest
“The Forest of the Three Sailors” tells a hybrid story:
that of Béton Ciré’s maritime DNA drifting into a rawer, wilder imagination, inspired by the natural world so dear to Matthieu Ruiz.
A collection where textures evoke bark, and blues recall both the ocean and the shadowy depths of the forest.
Manufacturing & details
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Composition: 100% cotton
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Adjustable strap: 100% corn leather (CORN)
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Dyeing: hand-dyed in Paris
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Production: crafted in specialized workshops in Portugal
Sizes:
S/M: 55–59 cm
L/XL: 60–64 cm
(adjustable thanks to the strap)
Already internationally recognized
The collaboration was notably selected in Tokyo by Sarah Andelman for an event bringing together leading French and Japanese creative brands. A first stop that highlights the project’s singularity.
A living installation
To accompany this collaboration, Béton Ciré created an immersive set design: a forest built in wood with artist Jean-François Plagué.
An environment conceived as an extension of the project, which some stores can even host, transforming retail space into a true experience.
A shared vision
Since 2013, Béton Ciré has explored the world between sea and city, creating durable pieces designed for every landscape.
Meanwhile, Matthieu Ruiz pushes the boundaries of color, reconnecting it with nature and the handmade gesture.
Together, they bring to life a collection that is both raw and delicate, technical and sensitive.
Available now
The Béton Ciré × Matthieu Ruiz drop is now available on our eshop.
Rare, living pieces, made to last and evolve beautifully over time.
Enjoy the rediscovery. 🌿⚓
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