For the longest time weed heads have been on the quest for the best possible flower only so they can smoke it in $2 rolling papers or cheap cigars. That’s like putting a michelin star meal on a paper plate. but as the world of cannabis continues to elevate itself, It is inevitable that a group of enthusiasts would start wanting the best possible products and experiences. Finally companies are opening up their eyes and targeting this consumer. Brands like Palace and Vetements have made items like grinders and rolling papers, but never has a true heritage luxury brand taken a jab at it until now.
When word got around that there was a company called Devambez making $88 rolling paper, the immediate reaction was what is the gimmick? But there is no need for a gimmick. Much like Louis Vuitton and Burberry, their heritage and artisanal practices dictate the price of their rolling paper.
Devambez was founded in 1826 in France working with royal families making their dinner menus, invitations, and name cards for all occasions. Once royal families in France started to lose power and respect, the business shifted into producing high-quality stationery for some of the most famous artists of the 20th century, including Picasso, Rodin, and De Chirico. In short, Devambez know a thing or two about what makes good paper.
Their creative direction was key to their rise making sure everything they did was done with the highest level of quality, precision, and taste. For a while they became an advertising agency until taking a bit of a hiatus until recent years when they were commissioned by Goyard to produce a book filled with masterful prints showcasing how extreme and opulent traveling used to be back when ships were the prominent way to travel, and your staff was handling all your custom made trunks carrying your newly purchased items from other lands. There are only 233 made of what is considered to be the “the bible of luxury” according to the NY Times.
After completing that project which took years, back to the drawing board Devambez went as they tried to figure out how paper is used the most in today's world. High quality stationary is more novelty now and with money and important documents all becoming electronic, where does paper fit in? Finally they landed on rolling paper, one of the few ways paper is actually thriving and growing in this digital age.
The idea was to create something very elevated and elegant, while staying true to french luxury. It was a process to start developing this. They worked with JOB de Jean Bardou, which is also a very influential and important player in the luxury rolling paper world to help flush out their idea. They took their time to find the perfect organic hemp paper, which they have found in in the Champagne region right next to Moet Chandon’s fields.
Devambez did not cut any corners when they were working with royal families, or when working top artists, and are not cutting any corners now that they have moved into the world of smoking accessories. Their boxes are made by the same company that makes Chanel and Hermes’, the gold leaf logo is done by a marquage artisan who was named a national living treasure in France. It is about the sensory experience. All of the products are about how it feels and looks. So many are always on the quest for the best flower, but never the best paper, and there is no way to truly taste the best flower when it’s wrapped in inferior paper. Devambez is just acting as the crystal wine glass you drink your beautifully aged vino in.
Their first delivery was to colette right before they closed back in 2017 as a personal ask from Sarah Andelman, which was a pivotal moment for them in terms of launching it to the world. They teamed up with Barney’s to be apart of their “High End” section focusing on quality smoking products in their LA location, and later curated a permanent standing section in the Flagship Madison Avenue location o the ground floor before the legendary stores closed.
Today there is a responsibility that comes with making things, and with new brands popping up everyday, there are elements from the old world that have been lost. Devambez is celebrating and showing respect to the brand's legacy and other companies legacies that believed in these artisanal practices.
The masterminds behind the brand would like to remain anonymous. They want the quality of their work to be the only focus.
You can currently find their products and stay up to date on their new items by visiting their site devambez.com, and will be sold at the Perrotin's holiday pop up at the bookstore in LES located at 130 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002 starting at 2pm.
