The masculine ideal is being completely modified. ... We are watching the birth of a hybrid man. ... He is looking for a more radical affirmation of who he is, and wants to test out all the barbarity of modern life [including in the sexual domain].

Pierre Francois Le Louet,
managing director for French consultancy Nelly Rodi,
hyping the hip French vision of androgyny
PARIS June 10, 2005 (AFP)

WHAT MEN WERE WAITING FOR? PANTYHOSE FROM FRANCE

DIJON February 8, 2007 (AFP) - One of France's leading hosiery makers is launching a new line for men next month -- pantyhose with a welcome front opening and big feet, available in thick mannish knit but also as sheer tights.

Gerbe,* which is based in eastern France, said this week that the country's first hosiery line for men would go on sale in March "due to increasing demand from male clients."

The pantyhose comes with a larger belt than for women as well as an opening, with "Men opaque", "sheer" or "satin" available in four models of tights, with and without feet, and three models of feel-good knee-high hosiery made to help drain toxins and massage tired limbs.

POUR LE MÂLE AVEC DE BELLES JAMBES
Go On! Show'em Off, Mr. France!

It's nice to see that the AFP can print a press release intact.

Gerbe, the subject of this non-story, already offers several lines of pantyhose for men. And just a little research turned up several non-French manufacturers with brands on the market: Collanto (Germany), Activskin (Australia), Ergee (Germany), Lēvee (German), Aries (Czech Republic), et al.

A better headline for this bottom-story-of-the-day might read:

MEN'S PANTYHOSIERY MANUFACTURER MANUFACTURES MORE MEN'S PANTYHOSE

[Pause.] But who would read that?

* Wordreference.com gives the principle translation for "gerbe" as "puke (vomit)". An additional translation, and perhaps what the founding proprietors had in mind, is "to bind (de blé)".

PFFT (What is this?): Slow news day at AFP 3¾ | Rayonnement français 0