Ateliers 2 Paris: The art of fusing savoir-faire

Ateliers 2 Paris came into being in 2014, born of the merger between Lunas France and Cécile Henri Atelier, under the impetus of Sébastien Barilleau, the group's President and Artistic Director. Since its inception, the group has worked with the biggest names in fashion across all sectors, from Haute Couture, women's and men's ready-to-wear, swimwear, lingerie, children's fashion and even accessories.

The group employs a total of over50 people spread across 4 ateliers: Lunas France, Cécile Henri, Atelier Point 2 Paris and Chrome 2 Paris.

Lunas France, a historic creator of textile decorations, masters the various techniques of ornamentation by relying on 3 departments: the first for Hotfix application projects (heat transfer, rhinestones, studs, sequins...), the second for embroidered patches and badges and the last dedicated to 100% artisanal textile manipulation, such as handmade crochet, macramé and weaving techniques. The proximity of these departments enables Lunas France to mix techniques and offer unique, innovative products.

Cécile Henri Atelier perpetuates traditional hand embroidery techniques and savoir-faire such as needlepoint, Lunéville and Cornely embroidery, semi-mechanical savoir-faire from the 19^th century. Today, Cécile Henri Atelier is one of the few remaining major Parisian hand embroidery houses, dedicated to luxury ready-to-wear and Haute Couture.

©Sophie Carre

Point 2 Paris was acquired by the group 2 years ago. It is one of the last multi-head machine embroidery workshops in Paris intramuros. The workshop offers markings on all textile supports for ready-to-wear collections, workwear and event communication.

©Sophie Carre

Chrome 2 Paris (screen-printing workshop already known as Chrome Sérigraphie): Since June, Ateliers 2 Paris has acquired this new structure. Their know-how in silk-screen printing complements that already mastered by the group's 3 other entities, enabling a new technique to be associated with the designs offered to customers.

©Sophie Carre

The association of these 4 workshops today creates synergies between their different savoir-faire, offering innovative and exclusive products. "We have this philosophy of craftsmanship, of handmade work. We mix and marry various techniques, because we master different Savoirs-faire. For example, we merge both hand embroidery with hotfix application techniques and screen printing to offer something more original and differentiating. This requires a certain savoir-faire, both industrial and artisanal" emphasizes Redouane Mezriche.

Support at the heart of development

Developing and producing these magnificent designs requires several steps upstream.

Lunas France and Cécile Henri Atelier have a library of samples and archives, and produce new designs every season to give customers a glimpse of its savoir-faire. "It's from our own designs that a project begins. Our designs are exploited by the customer as they are, or are a source of inspiration. He selects what interests him, tells us his ideas and the techniques he's looking for, and we discuss them. We make an initial proposal and then receive a technical file or sketch. Then, with our design office, we offer support in terms of aesthetics, budget and feasibility."

Finally, when the design is complete, "all techniques are realized on fabric panels before assembly, whether in macramé, crochet or embroidery."

To meet its customers' expectations, the group has to adapt with agility, both in terms of creativity and file management. "Working with Luxury Homes requires a certain level of exacting standards, support, proximity and responsiveness" explains Redouane Mezriche.

At Lunas France this support takes place in 4 phases:

The Design
The Lunas France studio produces its own designs each season, but also develops customized samples according to inspirations passed on by its customers. Their technical expertise enables them to propose original projects.

Development and prototyping
For each project, a prototype is made. Depending on the techniques used, placement work can be carried out based on the patternmaking provided.

Material testing
Essential to the conformity and quality of a project, each technique is tested on the intended supports. The aim of these tests is to ensure that the materials are not altered, and that they are durable and resistant to maintenance.

Industrialization
As soon as a collection is designed, each ornamental project is studied with a view to its industrialization. This step enables us to define precise costs and deadlines.

Atelier 2 Paris is now one of the pioneers of textile finishing in France. Thanks to the fusion of its savoir-faire and the wide variety of its offer, the group opens up the field of possibilities to the world of Haute Couture and luxury ready-to-wear as well as to customers proposing wider mass distribution.

A strategy that breathes new life into the professions of art and design!

To find out more about the Group's savoir-faire: http://ateliers2paris.fr/