Investors looking to make big money in retail typically employ a familiar set of tactics: acquire, expand, scale, and exit. But some notable fashion success stories have been resistant to the private equity playbook. During fashion week, Charvet, the 187-year-old French shirtmaker with a single location on the Place Vendôme, was the talk of Paris—particularly after Matthieu Blazy sent Charvet-stitched dress shirts down the runway for Chanel, with a retail price of $4,350. After the show, internet search interest for Charvet went through the roof. And yet, the brand continues to sell its own custom shirts starting around just $600.