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© Lorenzo Fornari
© Josef Rufnak
© Josef Rufnak
© Lorenzo Fornari

Eric Charles-Donatien

  • Featherworker
  • Paris, France
  • Master Artisan
Eric Charles-Donatien Featherworker
Contact
French, English
Hours:
By appointment only
Phone:
+33 142609788
© Josef Rusnak

Flying high in the Paris fashion world

  • • Eric creates clothes and accessories incorporating feathers
  • • His work pays homage to birds and the natural world
  • • He sources feathers from the countryside, farms, vets and parks

Looking back over the years, there is sometimes a moment that stands out, drawing a line between what was and what is. For Eric Charles-Donatien, that moment was when he met the man who would become his mentor, André Lemarié. While studying at the Ecole Duperré in Paris, Eric was working on a dress for an exhibition and wanted to incorporate feathers into his design. A woman working for a South African ostrich farm gave him the material to do so, and was so enthralled by his work that she introduced him to her friend Lemarié, the Parisian master of featherwork. Lemarié decided to have Eric temporarily assist in the modernisation of his archives, and Eric ultimately stayed with the company for 15 years, becoming its creative director.

Read the full interview

Works

  • © Kriss & Nico
  • Jean-Yves Thibert © Agent d'artisans
  • © Roger Vivier
  • © Roger Vivier
  • © Lorenzo Fornari
Photo: © Kriss & Nico
Cleopâtre Tiger Eye

Eric drew his inspiration for this collar from the extraordinary jewellery said to have been worn by Cleopatra. The necklace was created from gilded sheets of brass hammered into scale-like shapes enhanced with black cockerel feathers.

Length 20 cm
Width 15 cm

Photo: Jean-Yves Thibert © Agent d'artisans
Origin series Trinity Lamp

This lamp was part of a series presented in the Villa UGC during the Cannes Film Festival. The cube, opening in one corner, is an allegory for the social constructions that encase our idiosyncrasies and personal traits, while the wings represent our lost attributes that remain present spiritually in our day-to-day decisions and values.

Height 45
Length 20 cm
Width 20 cm

Photo: © Roger Vivier
Sneaker Feathers

Using feathers with natural green and bronze hues, Eric has created an elegant yet discreet brushwork effect on the uppers of this footwear designed by Roger Vivier.

Photo: © Roger Vivier
Minaudière Feathers

Eric’s designs add an elegant yet discreet form of refinement to this handbag by Roger Vivier. With their natural green and bronze hues, the feathers create a brushwork effect.

Photo: © Lorenzo Fornari
Cléopâtre Ibis

This design was inspired by the wide cuff bracelets worn in Ancient Egypt. The bracelet was crafted from hammered gilded brass, aubergine goose feathers and Swarovski crystals.

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