Nov

21

The Medium is the Lesage

Filed Under Vogue Rogue 

Lesage logomark

Couture is dead. So, would be the case without Atelier Lesage.

The famous Atelier is responsible for some of the most sacrosanct embroidery on ready-to-wear and haute couture items for Dior, Chanel, Balenciaga, Yves Saint Laurent, and in the past, Elsa Schiaparelli, Madame Vionnet, and many others.

The fine needlework techniques employed by the Atelier date back more than 125 years, when the establishment was bought by Albert Lesage from Charles Worth, later inherited by Albert’s son, François Lesage.

François built the Atelier into an empire, which to this day, remains in France. (Jean Paul Gautier has relegated some of his more intricate stitchery and beading to workers in India.) However, François’s vision for his inherited institution has come at a price.

In 2002, Karl Lagerfeld purchased the Atelier along with other smiths in France, now known as the Chanel satellites, which continue to influence what the couture price tag has certainly become about: craft and craftsmanship.

The corporate backing by the compassionate client is ideal for the Atelier that also runs a School for a new generation of petites mains to learn about embroidery! Classes include butterfly making, sculpted roses, and constellation cell phone pouches.

Incredible!

Living in France, learning something new, and being surrounded by fashion. Could there be anything better?

Further convincing can be established from Lesage, an engaging profile of the Atelier and the history of the embroidery arts, by Lydia Kamitsis. Embellished pieces photographed in the book not to be missed are the wedding bolero for Christian Lacroix, the Van Gogh Irises jacket detail , and the fish-scaled sequined dress, both for Yves Saint Laurent.

The select examples of garments made in the past decade attests, couture, is alive and well, sparkling and celebrated. As it always, necessarily, should be.

IMAGE | Atelier Lesage | Lesage logo | Atelier Lesage images.

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