"I teach Marion things, and she teaches me things".

MeetKaroline Bordas, former resident of Les Ateliers de Paris, and her trainee, Marion Dubois, winner of the Savoir-faire en transmission prize since January 2018, at theleather goods and saddlery workshop In Cute.

Karoline opened her workshop in 2017 located in the heart of artisanal Paris, the 11th arrondissement and is now celebrating her first candle. Bags, belts, passport cases, jewellery... Karoline, talented and creative, presents us with an elegant and timeless collection. The stitching is done by hand, which is the house's speciality. Stitch by stitch, the thread criss-crosses and binds the leather together to form a single piece. A unique know-how which we were able to discover the traditional techniques. 

One-on-one with Marion

How did you meet Karoline?

" Karoline had put a post on Facebook in a leather goods group saying that she was looking for someone to take part in the Know-How to Pass On Award. I was intrigued and went to see what she was doing. I thought it was interesting and it fit in with what I wanted to do afterwards. 

After a few months in Italy, I started my internship at Karoline. »

Tell us about your background...

"I did the Compagnons du Devoir in Tour de France, in leatherwork. My experience with the Compagnons was very industrial, I worked for large companies but never for small craftsmen. I missed this experience, to see at first hand how a craftsman could work. 

The Know-How Transfer Award is the only way I have found to get closer to a craftsman.

I wanted to discover and improve my hand sewing skills. Then to understand how a craftsman works and organises himself in his workshop. »

With Karoline

What does Marion bring to you on a daily basis?

" The price was ideal because Marion was already multidisciplinary. She has helped me enormously, she brings me a lot on a daily basis: from the development of new products (studies of old templates, ranges...), to the elaboration of technical data sheets and catalogues, to the finished models and sales.

We have found a rhythm, a balance. It frees up my time, but also allows me to think about other projects, which I put off when she wasn't around. I have more time for client research. It's a real dynamic! I can't stop thinking about what I'm going to do when she's gone. »

What have you been working on since the beginning of the course?

"We do repairs on bags, they are old pieces, with interesting assemblies. Right now we're working on a Shabbat belt, which allows you to hang useful and customisable items during the Jewish holiday.

We are also redesigning the Christmas shop, to attract and welcome new customers with gifts for all budgets. Marion is helping me to decorate the window: making the elements and installing them.

Marion also helped me with the Manufacto project of the Hermès Foundation, a programme to discover the art trades in schools. »

What does the transmission of know-how represent?

Marion : "It's natural when you're a craftsman to pass on your knowledge, it's a loop that must not be broken in order to preserve the crafts. »

Karoline : "Having been a teacher in the first place, it's something I love to do because it's active, it's stimulating. I teach Marion things, and she teaches me things. In fact, you learn from learning.It's extremely motivating. In addition, you learn by doing and develop your ideas. »

What would you like to do next Marion?

" I am entering the ENSCI - Les Ateliers in product design. I love the material, leather goods, and now that I have mastered it, I would like to take it elsewhere, and have a profile that is more designer than artisan. »

In pictures

Amelie Aressi

Amelie Aressi

Amelie Aressi

Amelie Aressi

Amelie Aressi

Amelie Aressi

Amelie Aressi

Amelie Aressi

Amelie Aressi