Each season, I shine the light on a talented artisan that we collaborate with here in Provence on our blog. We have been working with this indigo textile artist since 2016, beginning with our silk carré collection inspired by the Provence sky and calanques. Now we are very proud to feature her work again in the launch of our new Luxe Provence Vintage Collection as we strive to expand our sustainable practices in alignment with our slow fashion values.
Laetitia Costechareyre is the talented and passionate indigo expert behind, Atelier Simone. I met Laetitia in 2016 and quickly knew her talent, passion and genuine charm was a perfect recipe for a Luxe Provence design collaboration. I was thrilled to present her work first in one of our first fashion curations and now to continue collaborating with our new and exciting, Luxe Provence Vintage collection launching next week!
Laetitia started her career in the world of fashion for Hermès and Agnes B, before deciding to forge her own path. Laetitia immersed herself in the traditional art of indigo tinting, the Japanese art of shibori and natural hand-dying methods through an apprenticeship with Michel Garcia, in the Vaucluse region of Provence, where she also received her organic indigo dye start. She brings a curious, beautiful creative spirit and experienced luxury eye to her work. Laetitia has featured numerous times in Côté Sud Magazine, and at Cote Sud Aix-en-Provence and her work can be found throughout the finest home interior shops in Aix-en-Provence, such as IV Home.
Laetitia is known for her hand-dying techniques turning vintage fabrics into stunning recycled blue masterpieces, giving them new life inside her beautiful indigo cuve (pictured above). She tints high-quality silks, linen and cotton, along with ancient French fabrics that she finds at antique markets and brocantes in the area. And I have asked her to hand-dye a collection of antique and vintage linen, chanvre and cotton pieces that I have sourced here in Provence, just for you.
Laetitia monitors, feeds and nourishes her indigo daily. Depending on the project, she adapts the color depth and hue ever so slightly, by heating and feeding her living breathing basin with organic ingredients, such as honey. She attains patterns and one-of-a-kind designs by delicately folding and line drying her creations in the Provence sun in her picturesque urban garden, just off the busy center ville of Aix.
Her 100% natural process involves washing the fabrics, new or vintage, with a biodegradable, natural detergent and then performing multiple dips by hand working with the tightly tied fabrics to achieve her desired effects. A dramatic disparity from how a large percentage of indigo dyed fabrics are produced today – several thousand tons each year actually. The “industrial” method is highly synthetic and toxic and associated with the destruction of pollution of the land and rivers, particularly prevalent in the blue jean industry in China. Not here, Laetitia works solely with organic plant-based dyes and most recently began to incorporate new colors by using: cashew, garance and avocado so stay tuned for upcoming “earth” color palettes coming up next.
Laetitia is a kind and beautiful soul. Each of her artistic pieces, from beautiful crocheted centerpieces to curtains and pillowcases, reflect her spirit and passion. Laetitia and I dreamt up this special collection designed exclusively for Luxe Provence on 100% French silk inspired by the Provence ciel and calanques back in 2016, and cannot wait to share our new antique and vintage pieces launching on our site, Monday, August 17 2020! So stay tuned…
Our Calanques French Silk Carré from 2016 (Photograph by: Thomas Kendall featuring model: Renata Negroni)
Louise Pascale in our Antique 19th Century Indigo Dress and Vintage Slip dresses.
Blog post and photographs by: Founder and Creative Director, Tarik Koivisto.
Learn more about: Atelier Simone
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