How can one recount the origin of an inspiration, the brilliant idea that sparks like a snap of the fingers, the emotion that brings joy? … Well, let’s begin with what, as a child, led me to the desire to create a garment.
Let’s go back to the beginning, let’s return together to the Wonderland of my childhood…
Here we are, I push open a rather heavy door, I enter a multicolored office filled with swatches, color charts, and Pantone colors, and at the turn of a wondrous corridor, suddenly I am seven years old with freckles, I live in Brittany, and my grandparents own the most beautiful boutique, the one where dreams come true, where I imagine the most beautiful dresses that could ever exist.
I wander, lost in thought, for hours along the padded counters of TOUTISSUS COUTURE, 10 rue Saint Salomon, 56000 Vannes.
My beloved grandmother’s name is Fanette; I don’t know the word “stylist” and have no need to, as my work is entirely in the realm of imagination…
I rediscovered some of that emotion while reading Émile Zola… Nana… Au Bonheur des Dames… And now as well, while writing about my inspiration for this eponymous collection.
Each word brings back memories of the beautifully arranged vertical and horizontal storage, trays, rolls, enchanting names, and sumptuous classifications: Ball Gown, Cocktail Dress, Day Dress, City Suit, School Coat, Celebrations and Ceremonies, Sporty Chic…
It’s easy to imagine collections when you’ve spent your childhood in the land of Hallenstein, Dormeuil, and Harris Tweed woolens, themselves neighbors of the Lyon silk mills and other silk jacquards, twill, and bourette, not to mention taffetas, moirés, brocades, and brocades… It’s true that I used to linger a lot in the silk section before moving on and going for a walk, pondering at length on my future dress, that romantic grail, MY WEDDING DRESS, queen on a pedestal, magical and rustling, immaculate with dreams in the intimate, off-white boudoir of Toutissus Couture.
Faced with such sublime silences, I respectfully turned my back on a better idea, right there, at the corner of the Calais Lace, to skip off and find my favorite place: La Maison Liberty and my seven-year-old self. Suddenly serious again, as one is at that age, I went to bother the faithful seamstress and explain my desires for floral dresses with big nods of my head and mimes of pleat ideas, which my arms accompanied with a conviction that shook my braids.
It was in her workshop next to TOUTISSUS Couture that I, at eight years old I think, began my first dress, using a plate to shape the curve of the neckline and logic to create the batwing sleeves with the help of a large wooden measuring tape and a pencil… My “PLATE” dress… I smile.
Perhaps one day you will like it? You never know with fashion items!
As you will have understood, this collection is a tribute to my beloved grandmother, Fanette, and to her sumptuous boutique that made me the founder of La Prestic Ouiston, a joyful and carefree woman, desiring the finest fabrics, in love with colors, amazed that I can always escape the everyday with a magical snap of my fingers, when that click of inspiration allows me to invent everything, to forget everything, when that miracle of two fingers snapping with seriousness makes me free to imagine another life in a new garment worn on the arm of my one true love.
I hope you enjoy TOUTISSUS Couture and this fundamental, childlike story.
Hugs and kisses.
Laurence Maheo
