The last artisans of Paris still keep their savoir-faire intact
In the 19th century, Paris was the epicenter of European crafts. Today, the French capital fights to preserve its Parisian savoir-faire and the Made in Paris label.
His noble trades, of meticulous work with his hands, jewellers, saddlers, silversmiths or gastronomy artisans ; They arouse nostalgia and fascination.
still exist poetry-laden workshops, timidly lingering behind gates on porches and backs; unique pieces result from them, the result of enthusiasm for the trade and love for traditions.
We zoom in on some of the last artisans of the city of light.
Maison Legeron, since 1727
MAISON LEGERON _(20 Rue des Petits Champs, 75002) _
Since 1727 this workshop has devoted its activity to the laborious trade of florist and feathersier. Unlike the 19th century when feathered hats abounded in Paris, due to the frequent use of hats with flowers; today, Legeron is the last French independent company specializing in the field; and comparable to the famous Lemarié of the Chanel group.
Located a stone's throw from the Palais Royal, it has been in the hands of the Legeron family since 1880, represented today by Bruno, the fourth generation of plumajeros.
this one directs the atelier where feather accessories and flowers for Haute Couture dresses are made or the delicate bridal accessories.
They dedicate three floors to this unusual profession; one offers feathers of all kinds, ostrich, goose, pheasant…; another reserved for flowers of various materials, tweed, leather, velvet, silk... and finally his workshop, which continues to use the same tools and traditional ways of working.
First they use their flower petal molds hydrangea, lily of the valley, jasmine gardenia... later they dye them by hand; with heat they create the form, to culminate with the phase of floraison in which they attach the flower to a stem.
Its main clients are luxury houses and prêt-à-porter; among them Givenchy, Celine, Dries Van Noten, Dior, Louboutin and Jimmy Choo as well as the Opéra de Paris and the film industry.
ATELIER LULLI _(18 Passage du Bourg l'Abbé, 75002) _
Lulli is the last cabinetmaker in the center of Paris. Located near Les Halles , since 1965 in an endearing passage presided over by two caryatids, a unique place that surprises amid the incessant bloom of trendy restaurants and bars in the neighborhood.
Behind the golden badge on the facade A. Lulli, by Adelfio, a father who transmits his passion for cabinetmaking to his son Ivan, who is currently in charge of the workshop.
He graduated from the well-known École Boulle in cabinetmaking at the age of 18 and took over the family workshop. Today he works in his atelier where they stack beech, oak, olive, pine, maple, chestnut, walnut planks... and unlikely tools for cutting, sawing or hammering as well as lathes for sanding or polishing on his workbench.
For more than 40 years, this artist has been restoring furniture and transforming wood to create period chairs, contemporary tables, moldings, marquetry frames, Haussmannian windows...
His pieces come from his inspiration and custom commissions from individuals, art galleries or architects.
Perhaps, passing through the gallery, seeing your curiosity and sensitivity for his manual work, he will invite you to share a few moments in his universe and appreciate the aromas of wood.
DETAIL _(10 rue Saint Lazare, 75009) _
Detail is a charmante cosmetics boutique born in the 20th century following the original request of beauty of the Countess of Presle, whose face dehydrated from the wind on her car rides, one of the first of the time.
One of her friends the chemist Berthellot, prepares a moisturizing balm, 'Baume Automobile', which together with its 'Préparations de Beauté', a combination of vegetable oils, plant extracts, essential oils and floral waters, they begin to cause fury among their acquaintances and the European courts; giving birth in 1905 to the Maison Détaille.
Détaille, the Parisian cosmetics boutique where the classics endure
Since then, this Parisian boutique, presided over by the portrait of the Countess, has preserved the aura of the past and continues to manufacture its classics. presume to receive requests from queens, marajás, princesses and other great personalities.
endure their 'Free Poudres'; the 'Détailles', with a light perfume of heliotrope and their eaux de toilette with a large proportion of natural components, following the testimony of French perfumery.
Its bottles, arranged in old wooden cabinets, keep their silhouette with slight modifications and maintain the romantic names of yesteryear, such as their Citrovinaigre de Beauté , a cleansing lotion with extract and essential oil of lemon, glycerin and floral water of witch hazel.
DECLARECQ _(15 rue Etienne Marcel, 75001) _
In contrast to the branché environment of the Etienne Marcel neighborhood, Declercq continues to make its trimmings in an atmosphere of the last century.
This family business high-end trimmings for furniture and decoration, it follows the ancestral techniques since in 1852 Joseph Bertaud bought a small factory in the heart of Paris.
From then on, the firm passes from generation to generation making its creations sur mesure. Part of the success of this maison lies in his creativity and his ability to adapt to the times. In 1971 it moved to its current location, they bought the maison Louvet & Mauny from the 18th century and the famous André Boudin and in 1996 it took its current name.
The quality, finish and design of its pieces make its luxurious creations of guipure or souffle laces; gallons; fringes, marabout… attract private individuals, decorators and upholsterers, who proudly display them in the country's most prestigious châteaux and mansions.
The Declercq family, ambassadors of their profession, transmit their savoir-faire in their Paris showroom through guided tours in which they show their archives and the operation of their old weavers in a magical setting bathed in silk and gold tassels.
High-end trimmings
MAISON BOSC _(3 Boulevard du Palais, 75004) _
Bosc is a prestigious boutique that since 1845 has made suits for the audience, robes of lawyers, magistrates and academic professionals. This maison located in the Ile de la Cite, since until last year the Palace of Justice was located there; It is quite an institution.
After 130 years of experience procuring regulatory robes, it is the reference for professionals from the bar association and universities in France and abroad. It is a place with history that is part of the city's heritage, the toga being one of the most primitive costumes and one of the oldest clothing traditions still in existence.
Bosc performs in France the robes sur mesure, in different colors, depending on the position that requests it. The fabrics used are virgin wool, cashmere wool, and silk ; They can also be adorned with fur, lace and other decorations from French artisans.
They are assembled in small sewing workshop of the boutique itself, mostly by hand, and for added whimsy, its interior can be personalized or embellished.
ATELIER SAFRANE CORTAMBERT _(18 Rue Cortambert, 75116) _
Located near the Eiffel Tower, since 1989 Safrane has specialized in embroidery, lace and tulle made by hand and destined for haute couture.
Currently its use extends to furniture and decoration. The embroiderers carry out a meticulous work, using two types of utensils, the needle and crochet of Lunéville; some very laborious techniques that strive to make them last and whose use can take up to hundreds of hours per dress.
They collaborate with the great Parisian houses such as Chanel, Balenciaga, Nina Ricci, Dior or Givenchy who give their design guidelines or can be inspired by consulting their samples.
These are organized into tabs that indicate the necessary creation time and the materials of its composition (silk threads, cannetilles, bows, sequins, strass or pearls...) .