Aude Froment at the Atelier de l'Objet - 2020
"It's very rare to have such a comprehensive workshop, where you're given the space to develop yourself."
Aude Froment, winner of the Prix Savoir-faire en transmission 2020, and Stéphane Bondu, her tutor, welcome us to the Atelier de l'Objet, close to the Tuileries Gardens, hidden in a street in this idyllic area of central Paris.
Founded in 1999, the workshop specialises in the creation of high jewellery pieces, precious objects and boxes. L'Atelier de l'Objet responds to private orders, carries out restorations and repairs, and works on pieces and new collections of prestigious Houses.
As well as having the opportunity to work with other members of the team on collections for major brands such as Dior, Aude is also a project manager for private clients. Through this role, she is in direct contact with clients, which allows her to develop a variety of skills. She is involved in design, customer relations and advice, and the management of quotes and suppliers. These are essential areas of the Jeweller's trade.
She is currently working on a pair of Rococo style earrings. Aude is passionate about her work and explains that all aspects of the design and production process are taken into account with the client in order to adapt to her aesthetic and economic demands.
"Thanks to the employees' mastery of different skills, the pieces are almost entirely designed and made in the workshop, which brings a real understanding of jewelry making. This also allows us to touch on all the facets, all the processes involved in making a piece of jewelry."
Stéphane Bondu
L'Atelier de l'Objet is adapting to new technologies, while preserving ancestral know-how. The employees are working on the next collections of Dior and Van Cleef & Arpels.
The workshop is teeming with life. Aude seems very comfortable in her environment. She confides that she really feels part of the team, despite her trainee status.
During the visit, Aude confides to us that she would not be in this workshop without the Savoir-faire en transmission awards because she did not have the necessary skills.
"I'd never done CAD (computer-aided design) during my studies, whereas virtually the whole workshop team works on computers."
Aude Froment
On leaving her CAP, she wanted to do a BMA, but could not because she was too old or did not have the required number of hours of workshop work to attempt an open application. During her studies, she developed an interest in glyptic work and stone carving.
Saddened by the loss of this know-how, she did an internship at Cartier to get a quick introduction to the field. At the end of this internship, she inquired about other workshops that perpetuate this know-how, and discovered the Atelier de l'Objet. She did a three-week internship there, then a three-month fixed-term contract, before asking for a work-study position within the workshop, which Stéphane was unable to accept.
Determined, Aude did some research and discovered the Prix Savoir-faire en transmission. Stéphane accepted the proposal and once she was a winner, she joined the workshop for a year.
Stéphane adds thatAude is doing very well. "She receives clients, she manages on her own, she explains well." Aude feels that she would not have had the opportunity to develop such a wide range of skills and in such a learning environment without this award.
"In another workshop, I would have been given tedious, repetitive and unfulfilling tasks, and I would probably have given up jewelry making. That's not what amazed me about this job. It's very rare to find such a complete workshop, where you're given the space to develop yourself."
Aude Froment
Stéphane confirms that "this system is really useful" and that Aude can train all day, while remaining autonomous and part of the team.She is gaining real experience, which is essential in the practice of art crafts.
"I'm still learning a lot every day, and it's very fulfilling!"
Aude Froment
In pictures
