Since 1993, Lesage Intérieurs has conceived, invented, designed, and hand-embroidered projects for the world of decorative arts, whether historical, classical, or contemporary. Whether it is a screen designed by a young contemporary designer, wall panels for an architect with a passion for classicism, or the creation of historical embroidered decorations, each project offers an opportunity to imagine entirely hand-embroidered pieces on a range of different scales.
Some pieces can measure up to seven metres, sometimes involving more than twenty artisans and requiring several thousand hours of work. With an unrivalled collection of samples and rare savoir-faire, the Lesage Intérieurs team supports and advises industry professionals in their design of embroidered decorations.
A fusion of French and Indian craftsmanship, Lesage Intérieurs draws on the Vastrakala workshop of excellence, located in Chennai and founded in 1993 by Jean-François Lesage, its artistic director, and his partners. Heirs to one of the world’s oldest crafts, Indian embroiderers are equally adept at both traditional and innovative techniques, using primarily two tools: the needle, whose technique dates back to prehistoric times, and the Lunéville hook, which originated in Lorraine in the nineteenth century and for which Lesage is the foremost authority.
Always moving from the centre outwards, the ballet of each embroiderer’s hands brings to life the Studio’s design, inspired by samples, visuals, sketches, or a creative dialogue. By emphasising a shadow, adding light or creating depth, the hand enhances the fabric.
The history of the Maison
In the early 1990s, Jean-François Lesage, son of François Lesage, decided to showcase the unique craftsmanship of the Tamil Nadu region, where families of embroiderers have been established since the seventeenth century. In 1993, he founded the Vastrakala workshop (“the art of textile embroidery” in Sanskrit) and became a supplier to Lesage. In 2014, Lesage Intérieurs joined Maison Lesage, and thanks to this support, Vastrakala expanded. The workshops now employ hundreds of people encompassing a wide range of savoir-faire.
Placing people at the heart of their project, Lesage Intérieurs and Vastrakala chose to set up their workshop far from major cities, in a village of artisans for them to be able to continue to practise their craft whilst remaining in their own environment and close to their families, thereby cultivating their talent and a sense of pride in being the custodians of ancient knowledge, whilst remaining deeply aware that they are part of the twenty-first century.
Committed to social and environmental responsibility projects, the Vastrakala workshop has held SA 8000 certification since 2007, proof of its commitment to the development of ethical and socially responsible practices.
Through a range of projects for institutions and interior designers, Vastrakala has contributed to the creation of extraordinary works, such as the reconstruction of Jeanne Lanvin’s apartments at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, and the restoration of Victor Hugo’s house in Guernsey.
