Since the 17th century, the town of Rochefort has been the cradle of a very special craft: gold thread embroidery. The history of this art is entirely linked to that of the Arsenal town where one of the last representatives of this exceptional craft is now working.
The installation of the first embroiderers' workshops in Rochefort dates back to 1666. Jean-Baptiste Colbert, Louis XIV's principal minister, decided to found several royal factories in order to enhance and promote French know-how.
In Rochefort, they begin to embroider gold thread. Initially, it was soldiers who, between two missions, worked on cannetille, a metal thread varnished with gold, and embroidered uniforms and flags for the army. Rochefort quickly became the cradle of a technique that became professionalized and developed.
Up until the Second World War, a flourishing workshop trained nearly fifteen female workers every year who made prestigious uniforms for prefects, ambassadors and academics.
Declining in the years that followed, the industry was finally saved by Marie-Hélène César. In 1993, this professional created a certificate in arts and crafts and embroidery at the vocational school of Rochefort and opened a workshop in the town centre.
A few years later, the Atelier du Bégonia d'Or was taken over by one of her students, Sylvie Deschamps. She soon received orders from haute couture houses such as Chanel, Dior and Valentino. She also collaborates with contemporary artists and, more recently, with jewellery houses.
For Piaget, for example, she embroidered real watch backs; a particularly meticulous job.
Today, the Bégonia d'Or continues its work of transmission by offering courses open to amateurs. It can also be visited by reservation; a nice way to discover Rochefort in a different way by going to meet the treasures and techniques of this craft, of which Sylvie Deschamps is today the only Master of Art.
All information about the workshop.
Bérengère for Comme des Français.
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