Lately, there’s been a buzz of activity at 15 rue Racine. We’re preparing the new collection, and our days are set to the rhythm of snipping scissors, the tac-tac-tac of sewing machines and the pschht of the heat press.
These time-honored gestures inspired a new series we’re calling “Those Before Us” (Elles avant nous), where we’ll be sharing archival images from the world of garment-making. Let’s launch it together today.
Once the design of the model is completed, it’s time to draft a pattern — a task that falls to the pattern maker.
Tutorial from Diderot and d'Alembert's Encyclopedia. Collection of plates on the Arts of Dressmaking, printed with the approval and privilege of the king, in Paris, 1751–1780.
Next comes the cutting — at Bourgine, that’s Justine’s job.
Hélène Rochas, 1950
Justine, 2025
A fellow cutter, United-Kingdom, 1942
Then it's time to assemble the pieces.
Hand sewing in the workshop of Maison Worth, Paris, 1907
With sewing machines in a small workshop
Or at the factory. Here at the Simpsons Clothing Factory in London
A modern workshop at Emanuel Ungaro in Paris, 1967
Fittings
Adjustments and finishing touches
The button and buttonhole stage:
The tools used by button makers and decorative trimmings artisans in the Encyclopedia
Finally, the 'press':
And straight to the shop!
At the Fashion Merchant’s, engraving from the Encyclopedia
Have a good Sunday,
Bourgine 15 rue Racine in Paris Monday-Saturday, 11am-7pm Sunday, 12am-7pm
