TOUR DE FRANCE; FRENCH MEN'S BRANDS IN NEW YORK CITY THIS WEEK ARE PUTTING THE ACCENT ON LUXURY.(men's clothing)

Daily News Record, July, 2005 by Murphy, Robert

Byline: Robert Murphy

PARIS -- Hamstrung by low consumer confidence at home, French men's wear makers are funneling energy into their efforts to boost business abroad, especially in the United States.

Their labors are paying off. Last year, exports of French men's wear to the U.S. advanced 20 percent, according to Noelle Bobin, who heads Promas, an organization here that represents the French men's industry.

Luxury was the main driver, as Bobin sees it. She said despite the strong value of the euro against the dollar, which has eased some 15 percent since the beginning ...