Paris,
So I'll continue with 'I'.
I am the camellia in the courtyard of 3 Place du Palais Bourbon. To be perfectly honest, I am one of the camellias. I share this lovely courtyard with other camellias (I have the best place, and I'll soon tell you why), rhododendrons, jasmines and boxwoods. I think it was the former owner of the building who brought us here. He was well inspired: protected from the draughts, the microclimate is ideal for our development. We are the oldest residents of the building, and we are constantly and patiently observing its successive slices of life.
As I keep my promises, I'll tell you why I have the best place. That is because I've taken up residence right in front of the Atelier's glass wall.
I can see everything but I won't say anything! I'm joking. On the contrary, how can I not give in to the pleasure of telling you what is happening on the other side of the glass? I have been observing and enjoying the incredible stories and unusual encounters for so long that I have been a silent witness to the life of Atelier Renard.
I have seen so many carefully repeated gestures, so many different leathers caressed by expert hands, so many sharpened tools... I have heard so many anecdotes shared during coffee break or lunch. Because I am never far away when tongues untie. Here at the Atelier, each order, each bag or object reflects a unique story. So you can imagine how much I have to tell you.I can feel your curiosity now. But before continuing, I need to clarify an important point. Brigitte Montaut cultivates discretion, exclusivity, an affective and respectful relationship in the service of sublime leathers and excellent know-how. For her, discretion represents the very essence of luxury. She is relentless and uncompromising on the subject. Luxury is not ostentatious, no. Luxury is not a show-off, no.
The leather bag or object the clients order here is the result of a desire, a need... Everything counts: the choice of the model, the leather, its texture, which is so different from one skin to another, its colour, its design, its size. Luxury means the ability to share, exchange, touch, transform, create...With confidence and discretion.
Therefore, you will easily understand my attention when recounting what I have witnessed. I will never betray the trust that the clients have in the Atelier's team, to which I belong, after all!
That being said, and without naming anyone, I'm going to tell you a few stories, starting with the smallest object ever made by Atelier Renard.
A case for collar stiffeners!
I'm sure many of you don't know what it is. It's a little strip that you slip into the collar of your shirt to keep it straight.
I remember perfectly this elegant woman ordering the case for her husband, an admiral, who happened to be a penguin lover. Yes, I assure you, she asked for a gold pin representing the charming animal to be mounted on the case... itself in crocodile leather. Simple but utterly customised!
The list is long of these unusual orders, together with their astonishing encounters.
Brigitte's cousin once spoke of a Prévert-style inventory. Quiet right... Shall I continue?
