Mains d'avenir — The artisan's path: Shariff, hatter at Maison Michel

Through a series of portraits and stories, the series "Mains d'avenir, the artisan’s path" showcases the career path, passions, and ideas of those who "make" French craftsmanship. Today, we meet Shariff, a hatter at Maison Michel.

Shariff was not destined to become a hatter. Trained as a printer, his discovery of hat-making was a happy accident. "I responded to a job offer to replace a hat-maker who was retiring. I had no idea how it worked, but he taught me everything."

The techniques, the tools, and even a century-old iron that is still in use are all part of his daily work. "This iron has been with me since I started. I use it for everything: cleaning felt, ironing straw, creating a variety of hat brim finishes, such as double folds... It's my favourite tool," he admits.

At Maison Michel, it all starts with the block.

"The block maker makes the wooden mould. Then we place the material on top, felt or straw, cut it, steam it... Almost everything is done by hand."

It's meticulous work that may seem solitary, but is actually a team effort.

"Hat-making is a profession that requires a love of the end product. What I enjoy is passing on that love."

Hatters, milliners, block makers: each one plays their part in a meticulously choreographed ballet.

In his 37 years in the business, Shariff has seen many hats come and go... and a few famous heads as well.

Among his most memorable moments are his collaborations with Karl Lagerfeld, the hats he made for the White House, and the inauguration of le19M by President Emmanuel Macron. "I have photos with him, it's a wonderful memory," he recalls.

But his proudest moment is having once managed to produce 37 panama hats in a single day: "It was an urgent order and I managed to get everything done on time. That's my record."

Shariff has made thousands of hats over the years.

His favourite style? Small brims that don't get in the way, or caps. "Especially when I've made them myself." Hats for animals, orders from Disney, pieces for CHANEL's Métiers d'art collection: sometimes the projects he is entrusted with are unusual, to say the least.

He now dreams of creating new forms. "I've already done a lot, but I like the idea of continuing to invent."

Today, Shariff continues to share his savoir-faire, convinced that the future of the craft lies in its transmission. He also keeps an eye on new technologies and materials.

"We will undoubtedly face new challenges, particularly with regard to regulations on animal skins. But perhaps we will find new materials that are even better and more beautiful."

When he leaves the workshop, Shariff returns to his children and grandchildren, far from the world of braids and feathers. But he knows what he has built.

A gesture repeated thousands of times, for hats that are never quite the same.