Swiss heritage archives
The inspirations behind Val Mont Lac
Where Swiss heritage meets contemporary style
The Swiss heritage archives are Val Mont Lac’s living library of inspirations, a curated collection of vintage photographs, postcards, design details and cultural symbols that shaped the DNA of the brand.
Rooted in Swiss traditions, alpine culture, multicultural communities and the golden age of winter tourism, the archives pay tribute to everything that makes Switzerland a country of timeless beauty and quiet confidence.
Each Val Mont Lac piece draws from these stories, reinterpreting Swiss heritage into a distinct, contemporary wardrobe built to be timeless and versatile.
Switzerland’s diversity as our foundation
Switzerland isn’t defined by one story, it is a mosaic of many. Four languages, countless cultures, mountains meeting lakes, tradition blending with modern life. This cultural fusion is the brand's foundation.
Val Mont Lac stands at the crossroads of these contrasts, drawing energy from a country where precision lives next to creativity and where heritage evolves every day.
It’s this diversity, subtle, quiet and powerful, that shapes the attitude of the brand.
St. Moritz in 1961, by Baumann Heinz
Source: ETH Library Zürich, Image Archive
The golden age of Swiss winter tourism
From St. Moritz to Gstaad, Switzerland became the world capital of winter leisure in the mid-20th century. Horse races on frozen lakes, grand hotel façades, ski school photos and hand-painted posters created a new visual language of alpine glamour.
These images are central to the Swiss Heritage Archives and inspire many of Val Mont Lac’s illustrations and Seasonal Graphics. We reinterpret this “golden winter era” with clean lines, contemporary silhouettes and a modern colour palette.
Lake culture and Swiss summertime
Beyond the mountains lies a softer side of Switzerland, long summer days by the lakes. Wooden boats, lake promenades, summer terraces and reed bouquets inspire the quieter, more relaxed side of Val Mont Lac.
Our Seasonal Graphics often draw from vintage postcards of Lac Léman, alpine lakes and small harbour towns, celebrating slow moments, light fabrics and the effortless elegance of Swiss summers.
Swiss craftsmanship and design heritage
The Swiss Heritage Archives are also a tribute to our design and craftsmanship culture. From minimalist poster art and typography to precise tailoring and technical know-how.
The Val Mont Lac aesthetic is shaped by the clarity, balance and precision Switzerland is known for. Every piece begins with a considered approach: the silhouette, the tones, the artwork and the textures all serve a purpose.
We work closely with trusted partners around the world, who understand this vision and help us bring each design to life with an eye for detail and consistency.
Gstaad Swiss Open in 1990, by Comet Photo AG (Zürich)
Source: ETH Library Zürich, image archive
Vintage Swiss sport aesthetics
Vintage Swiss sport has a style of its own. Bobsleigh helmets, snow polo uniforms, clay courts in Gstaad, chrome-lined classic cars, wool ski sweaters and alpine golf clubs, each carries a distinct visual language.
Val Mont Lac taps into these codes and reinterprets them through a contemporary lens, turning sporting heritage into refined everyday style.
From heritage to a timeless and versatile wardrobe
Val Mont Lac begins every piece with a story from the Swiss Heritage Archives. Shapes, colours, designs and textures evolve from these references and gradually form a versatile wardrobe that feels familiar yet renewed. A collection of timeless classics, designed to be worn effortlessly and carried forward for years.
The story behind Val Mont Lac
Explore the origins of Val Mont Lac, the founder’s perspective and the mission that defines the brand's approach to design and storytelling.