Atelier Valentin x Duvelleroy: two exceptional art houses join forces to create a unique haute couture fan
To mark the 135th anniversary of the Moulin Rouge brand, Atelier Valentin and Maison Duvelleroy combined their know-how to create a unique fan symbolising the craftsman’s excellence and the timeless magic of the cabaret. Immerse yourself in an exceptional collaboration where tradition and innovation meet and become one.
Dressmakers, bootmakers, feathermakers, embroiderers… it is true that dancers perfectly embody the magic and glamour of the Moulin Rouge, yet there are many skilled artisans without whom the magic on stage would not be the same.
Throughout history, the cabaret has benefited from the inventive treasures and meticulous attention to detail from the exceptional artistic establishments which are an integral part of its world.
In tribute to them, Paris embroidery house Atelier Valentin and fan maker Duvelleroy combined their skills to mark the 135th anniversary of the Moulin Rouge® in style! This extraordinary anniversary is celebrated in the form of a no less extraordinary haute couture creation.
A powerful synergy of two complementary skill sets
For the Moulin Rouge®, a partnership between these two institutions seemed an obvious choice. On one side, Atelier Valentin: a celebrated embroidery house specialising in the world of the stage show, driven by a passionate dedication to its craft and a member of the Moulin Rouge group since 2017. On the other, Duvelleroy: a historic fan maker founded in 1827, renowned for its prestigious creations and a longstanding partner of the Moulin Rouge brand.
Two distinct yet evidently complementary areas of expertise, brought together by an instant creative alchemy. This artistic encounter led to the idea of a unique fan – a tribute to the century-long history of the Moulin Rouge and a work of art embodying the essence of these two artistic crafts.
A creative process in several acts
From initial concept through to final creation, the journey of crafting this exceptional fan, designed specifically for the Moulin Rouge’s landmark anniversary, featured a number of distinct stages.
1. Developing the artistic vision
First step: brainstorm and create! Atelier Valentin and Duvelleroy shared their inspirations and ideas in order to devise the perfect item. This collaborative effort led to the selection of a unique design – a “mouchoir” fan, drawn from the archives of the fan maker’s historic collection. This unconventional, striking square format provided the perfect canvas for showcasing Atelier Valentin’s extraordinary embroidery skills.
The motif itself features a vivid representation of the Moulin Rouge standing amidst vines in the iconic Montmartre district, and also embraces the theme of autumn, brought to life through carefully-chosen colours and materials.
2. Creating the frame and sketching the design
At this point, theory gave way to practice. The skilled artisans at Maison Duvelleroy crafted the fan’s structure, while Caroline Valentin, the founder of Atelier Valentin, personally created the envisioned motif in collaboration with the fan maker.
After an initial draft, extensive research into a carefully-curated palette of colours led to the final design. The motif was then sketched onto the fan’s fabric, setting the stage for the embroidery artist to weave their magic.
3. Embroidering the motif: a fusion of intricate craftsmanship and artistry
Finally, the start of the last stage, embroidering the motif: a true technical marvel of a task. Because of the fan’s unconventional shape and structure, it could not be mounted on a traditional embroidery frame, adding to the challenge. The intricate details of the design called for exceptional skill. The task of managing the tension of the fabric and thread demanded the precision of a jeweller, requiring each stitch to be perfectly balanced – neither too tight, nor too loose. The result is effectively a painting created with needle and thread.
The culmination of 150 hours of work
Upon completion of the final stitch, the fan was ready. From initial sketch through to creation and execution, nearly 150 hours of meticulous work had gone into crafting this extraordinary piece. This one-of-a-kind, breathtaking fan is the result of the Moulin Rouge’s desire to create an exceptional product and bring it to life through the combined expertise of Atelier Valentin and Maison Duvelleroy.
Now available at the Moulin Rouge boutique – accessible to audience members – you can admire this haute couture creation displayed in its elegant case. It will also be featured very soon on our website: Moulin Rouge – Boutique.
Discover the behind-the-scenes story of this unique creation on our YouTube channel.
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