Design Inspiration: The Black Block Sock

The Fortis Green block colour sock in black was inspired by the ‘Adherez au Touring Club de France’ (fulfil a touring club of France annual subscription) 1935 Art Deco poster designed by brothers Jacques and Pierre Bellenger.

Well known poster artists, the brothers’ Bellenger worked together their whole lives. After studying at the Academie Julian in Paris, they opened a studio and worked on advertising campaigns for major companies including several marking the growing popularity of cycling in the 1930s, including French cycling brand Favor. Their images are known for their light Art Deco influence, vivid colours and clever concepts.

With their Headquarters situated on the grand Avenue de la Grande Armee in Paris, the Touring club de France (1890-1983) was a French social club devoted to travel, founded by enthusiasts of the velocipede.

The idea of the Touring club de France was inspired by the British Cyclists' Touring Club, founded in 1873 and also devoted to cyclism  and promoted in France under the impulse of  Paul de Vivie - publisher of Le Cycliste, an early champion of derailleur gears and father of French bicycle touring.  

The Touring club de France used to award several prizes to support mountain guides and fathers of large families. The Jean S. Barès Prize was awarded to mountain guides from the Pyrenees living above an altitude of 500 meters and raising at least seven children, all born at that altitude or above.