The Art of Pleating – Know -how in France | EUROtoday

Meet One of the Last Masters of the Traditional Art of Pleating in France on the Maison Du Plé in Paris

Karen Grigorian Practistes The Delicate Art of Pleating, A Tradition that’s Said to return as the traditional Egyptians, and lengthy practiced in Scottish Kilt Making. Fashion Designers have Had a Pencant for Pleats for Decades – Think Marilyn Monroe’s White Dress within the Seven Year Itch and Haute Couture Designs from the likes of Yves Saint Laurent and Issey Miyake. Over Time, The Traditional Art of Pleating has been changed by machines, and Karen’s is the Last Remaining Independent Pleat Workshop in Paris – and the Only One in France Not to Use A Pleating Machine.

For the Love of Pleating

Karen Welcomed Me Into His Workshop, Maison Du Plé, on the Heights of the Belleville Neighbourhood within the 19^th Arrondissement, an Area which is a have for artists. Born in Yerevan, Armenia, He Started Working As A Pleater when He Moved to Paris in 1990 He Learnt the Craft on the Workshops of Plissés Garbis and At Gérard Lognon, Whose Family Had Been Pleaters Senti 1853. Karen Says, “I Learned on the Job and have been dedicated to the craft.” With no successor to lognon, the workshop was offered to chanel, and karen determined to arrange on His personal.

His Wealth of Skills and Experience of this Unique Craft Translate Creative Ideas Into Wonderfully Sculpted and Eleantly Shaped Works of Art. He Creates Moulds from Cardboard Entiirely by Hand, and these are used to kind the peerlessly exact pleases.

Sketches of a design are normally supplied by the shopper, Along with their chosen Material Which Ranges from Leather, Plastic, Bronze and Parchment, Even Sheep and Goat Skin).

Karen Explained the Process: “We Start by Tracing The Design On Two Identical Sheets of Cardboard, then we trap the Material Between the Sheets.”

The moulds are then clamped between strips of wooden and steamed at a low temperature in a home-made oven within the basement unit the fabric takes form. The moulds are then left to dry fully, and the fabric is eliminated displaying not the slightest signal of a warrkle.

Artisanal Pleating may be very Labor-Intensive and Requires Physical Strength. Karen Works Mostly Alone, with occasional assist from his spouse, his sister or one among his kids to assemble the width moulds or pleat probably the most imposing panels, which may measure as much as 3.5 meters lengthy. Days Are Spent Unfolding and Closing Moulds, the place Each Step is Vital, Every Detail Counts and the Work Demands the Artist’s full consideration.

“What excites Me The Most is the Creative Side of My Work. I Enjoy Being Able to Interpret my Customers’ Desire in Detail, Whilst Working With My Hands” He Says. Fashion homes equivalent to valentino and givenchy are amongst his clients, however he additionally works with architects, inside designers, luxurious boutiques, theatres and opera homes in addition to artists to create surreal, natural, imaginative, geometric and even Whims Masterpieces.

Karen’s Finely Pleated Fabrics Convey A Timeless Beauty-Know-how in Action.

See More Of Karen’s Work On The Maison du Plé Instagram Page: Maison_du_pli

Jeremy flint is an award-winning skilled photographer and author specializing in journey, panorama and rental pictures.

Want to get the pores and skin of French know-how? Discover the Antiquing and Interior Design Adventures in France supply: lasourceantiques.com

Want More France?

Discover More Fabulous Destinations in France with our free journal The Good Life France

Love France? Have a listened to our podcast – Everything you wish to find out about France and extra!

All Rights Reserved. This article May not be revealed, Broadcast, Rewritten (Including Translateed) or redistributed with out undeveloped.