Maybe you've come across her beautiful blog, maybe you've seen some of her patterns made up by the lovely Julie of Jolies Bobines or maybe you've seen her adorable book featured on Tilly and the Buttons. If you did, I know you want to know more about République du Chiffon and who's behind this beautiful French brand.
I know I did, so I had a little chat with Géraldine, the creator, and this was the result. If you prefer to read the interview in its original French form, you can find it here.
Enjoy!
✄ First of all, can you tell us something about yourself? How long have you been sewing?
My name is Géraldine, I’m 35 years old and I live and work in Lille, in Northern France. My hobbies are reading (I love science fiction and Jane Austin, I know they have nothing in common ;) ), the cinema, which is where I often get inspired, I cook and I obviously love to sew.
I started sewing after my daughter Violette was born, and it soon became my passion. I had the opportunity to enter a school for design / patternmaking where I got my degree.
✄ How did you start République du Chiffon?
I started République du Chiffon in 2010, it was a fashion and sewing blog. After my degree, I wanted to make a shift towards design and patterns for home sewing, trying to create trendy styles addressed to modern seamstresses. Since the offer is still quite poor in France, I hope there is a place for me.
✄ Can you tell us more about your book ("Un été couture", Tutti Frutti ed.) and your latest pattern releases?
What I try to do with my patterns, both in my book or in the downloadable patterns, it’s to offer modern styles and to make sewing democratic, making “difficult” things approachable by anyone. My hope is that the clothes made by seamstresses at home are as trendy and of good quality as what current designer offer today.
✄ What are your main sources of inspiration? Your favorite designers or style icons?
I find my inspiration everywhere, in the street, in magazines, movies, illustrators, etc. I’m a big fan of street style fashion (Yvan Rodic, Sartorialist etc.) and I spend a lot of time reading fashion blogs (Le Blog de Betty, Punky B, Le blog de Pauline and many many more). As far as “style icons” are concerned, I don’t really have any, I’ve never been a big fan. I prefer anonymous people who have style, but if I have to mention one, at the moment it would definitely be Alexa Chung or Kate Bosworth
✄ Where do you see your company in the future?
My wish is to make of République du Chiffon a real brand of modern patterns. It’s just the beginning of the process. I decided to leave my job to devote myself completely to the brand, so, starting next year and if everything goes well, there will be a collection of printed patterns (10 styles every season) and I’ll keep offering more downloadable patterns to very small prices so that everybody can sew République du Chiffon. I hope you’ll like it.
Thank you, Géraldine! I wish you all the best!
I'll be back soon with my version of one of her patterns! Are you curious yet? :)
I know I did, so I had a little chat with Géraldine, the creator, and this was the result. If you prefer to read the interview in its original French form, you can find it here.
Enjoy!
✄ First of all, can you tell us something about yourself? How long have you been sewing?
My name is Géraldine, I’m 35 years old and I live and work in Lille, in Northern France. My hobbies are reading (I love science fiction and Jane Austin, I know they have nothing in common ;) ), the cinema, which is where I often get inspired, I cook and I obviously love to sew.
I started sewing after my daughter Violette was born, and it soon became my passion. I had the opportunity to enter a school for design / patternmaking where I got my degree.
 |
| The Margot blouse pattern |
✄ How did you start République du Chiffon?
I started République du Chiffon in 2010, it was a fashion and sewing blog. After my degree, I wanted to make a shift towards design and patterns for home sewing, trying to create trendy styles addressed to modern seamstresses. Since the offer is still quite poor in France, I hope there is a place for me.
 |
| The Penelope dress pattern |
What I try to do with my patterns, both in my book or in the downloadable patterns, it’s to offer modern styles and to make sewing democratic, making “difficult” things approachable by anyone. My hope is that the clothes made by seamstresses at home are as trendy and of good quality as what current designer offer today.
 |
| The Gérard coat pattern |
I find my inspiration everywhere, in the street, in magazines, movies, illustrators, etc. I’m a big fan of street style fashion (Yvan Rodic, Sartorialist etc.) and I spend a lot of time reading fashion blogs (Le Blog de Betty, Punky B, Le blog de Pauline and many many more). As far as “style icons” are concerned, I don’t really have any, I’ve never been a big fan. I prefer anonymous people who have style, but if I have to mention one, at the moment it would definitely be Alexa Chung or Kate Bosworth
 |
| The Viviane dress and blouse pattern All images in this post from here |
✄ Where do you see your company in the future?
My wish is to make of République du Chiffon a real brand of modern patterns. It’s just the beginning of the process. I decided to leave my job to devote myself completely to the brand, so, starting next year and if everything goes well, there will be a collection of printed patterns (10 styles every season) and I’ll keep offering more downloadable patterns to very small prices so that everybody can sew République du Chiffon. I hope you’ll like it.
Thank you, Géraldine! I wish you all the best!
I'll be back soon with my version of one of her patterns! Are you curious yet? :)
