Taunina Telegraph

A life dedicated to beauty and craftsmanship

We were saddened to read of the recent death of François Lesage, owner of the Lesage Company in Paris that has created some of the most beautiful embroidery for couture designers such as Lagerfeld, Schiaparelli, Lacroix, Gaultier and Saint Laurent since the 1920s.

He was once famously instructed by Yves Saint Laurent, “François, make me something that is like a chandelier – Like a chandelier reflecting in the mirror on my bureau with the sky of Paris in the background…”

Christian Lacroix said of Lesage: “On my first meeting with François Lesage he opened his leather suitcase in front of my eyes and I discovered a whole new universe and embroidery that almost became a drug. He supported my work from the very beginning – I call him my godfather.”

Chanel was acquired by the Lesage Company in 2002. Recently Lesage established a school of embroidery where both hobbyists and aspiring artisans could acquire the fine art of couture embroidery.

For some visual inspiration, visit Aazures and Some like it Haute. To find out more about this remarkable man’s life and and the Lesage Company, click here.