INTRODUCING: SACCO BARET
A French bottier, a Parisian plumassier, and an American designer joined forces to create Sacco Baret, a company of limited-edition of leather goods — shoes and handbags — handmade in Italy with exclusive feather applications handcrafted in their atelier in Paris. Their mission is to raise awareness and support Les Métiers d’Art in France such as the art of plumasserie (i.e. the handling of feathers), a fine art craft predominantly practiced today by independent artisans in the realm of haute couture. We caught up with designer Jayma Sacco, one third of the team. Read on as she discusses team spirit, preserving the art of plumasserie through their work, and their future plans — hint: they include a feather-adorned handbag for the Palais de Tokyo Museum of Modern Art in Paris.
Who is behind the team?
We are actually a team of three; a French Bottier (shoemaker) Paul Baret, a Parisian Plumassier (feather artisan) Maxime Leroy, and myself, Jayma Sacco, an American designer.
What does each of you bring to the team? How would you describe your collaboration?
Artistically speaking, we are all here to push each other’s boundaries. We have a great understanding of each other’s specialties, which is fundamental when it comes to translating words and ideas into lines, technical files and final products. Since we share common values and visions, I would describe our collaboration as complimentary and essential. Three is a great number when it comes to decision- making.
What was the hardest part about getting in the business?
To only name one, I would say finding suitable skilled factories and reliable suppliers to work with.
Why shoes and bags?
There is a sculptural quality that shoes and bags have that we really enjoy, and on top of that it’s what brought us together.
What are the main materials you use?
We take a lot of pride in the materials we source. We use quality premium Italian leather, gold plated hardware and ethically sourced plumes and feathers. To be precise we work in accordance with CITES, the Washington Convention to ensure ethical treatment of exotic species, to procure feathers in a way that is ethical, safe and sustainable.
How is the city you live in inspiring you? What are some other sources of inspiration?
Paris is a feast for the eyes. You can never get bored. There is always an exhibition, a new gallery opening, an opera, a gorgeous mille-feuille…
In terms of other sources of inspiration really anything we lay our eyes on could create inspiration — a trip, a film… whatever sparks emotion really.
What prompted your decision to integrate plumasserie into your creations?
It was really a natural extension of the first collaboration we had the opportunity of working on together, which was a pair of sneakers adorned with feathers for the inaugural exposition of the MAMO Museum of Modern Art in Marseille.
The three of us were really inspired by the idea of celebrating and combining modern design with French artistry. Then things really evolved from there.
Are you interested in establishing your designs as “It?” What is the biggest challenge when trying to do so?
Yes, absolutely. The biggest challenge we face that we are actively working to overcome is the need to educate people on the art of Plumasserie — the skilled craft of preparing and applying feathers by hand. As it is a lost tradition dating back to couture houses of the 1800s, very few people are aware that it exists. At the turn of the 19th century, there were approximately 800 feather workshops in Paris, and today there are no more than four that remain.
Do you take in consideration the markets and audiences where your products are successful when putting together a new collection?
Of course — to a certain extent. After, when putting together a new collection, it is always a question of feeling. We have to feel it. And when that feeling is unanimous between us, we know we are on to something good.
What are your future plans?
We are currently creating a special edition Vendôme piece — a feather-adorned handbag for the PALAIS DE TOKYO Museum of Modern Art in Paris. This special edition Vendôme handbag, along with a few other new pieces will be showcased during an upcoming exhibition called “Double Je” Artisans d’art et Artistes which opens on March 24th — May 16th 2016 in Paris.
www.saccobaret.com
Images © Sacco Baret
Interview by Alexandra Zografou
This post originally appeared on lesassorties.com.
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Originally published at lesassorties.com on February 8, 2016.
