“Phoenix” dress

This two-sided dress is constructed in two perfectly symmetrical faces and can be worn on the side you want. It brings together the Tie & Dye patterns of a Bazin , Royal Thai silk, Indonesian batik and an Indian block print .

It is by composing this range of fabrics with refined patterns and flamboyant colors that I found the inspiration to make this unique dress. And before having the honor of reworking these beautiful fabrics in my studio, I spent years collecting and studying the fabrics and the stories they tell. This deep interest in combining textiles of all kinds is at the heart of my creative process.

The two large pieces of fabric (orange ikat on one side and plain deep purple on the other) are artisanal weaves of Royal Thai silk . They were woven and dyed by hand in Thailand , at the Queen Sirikit Textile Museum in Bangkok. I had the pleasure of receiving these incredible silks in 2019, when I was invited to present my collection at the Thai Silk Fashion Week in Bangkok.

The Phoenix wing motifs of Indonesian batik come from a dress given to me by Laurence, a real passionate accomplice in my upcycling approach, connoisseur of vintage fashion and lover of beautiful materials.

The block print with "seventies" flower motifs is an end of stock from the treasures of my friend Sukvir who once marketed Indian products.

The magnificent yellow, orange and purple Tie & Dye that appears on the sides of one of the two faces of the dress is a prestigious textile. Originally from Mali, it is called Bazin, in damask cotton, with a particular shine, it required several stages of work and different specialized skills for its realization. It was tied, dyed and beaten by the great craftsmen of the Wolofo Bougou district in Bamako: Modibo Samake, Mariam Coulibaly and their teams.

The cut of this rather flared dress from bottom to top is perfectly symmetrical , without darts at chest level. Its modestly scooped neckline can sometimes fall slightly on the shoulder. It can be tightened at the waist with an obi belt from my collection and create another style. It's a versatile dress : rather loose and airy for walking around in summer, or more fitted with a belt to nicely emphasize the arch.

Made with great care and finesse, this unique piece, entirely handmade , required five hours of work, from researching the fabrics to composing the patchwork to the manufacturing stages.

Artisanal textiles and/or upcycling:

• Bazin Tie & Dye from Mali
• Royal Thai Silk from Bangkok
• Indonesian vintage batik
• Indian block print

Practical details:

• Size S – 36/38
• Mid-length dress
• Perfectly symmetrical
• High-end finishes
• Low temperature cleaning (max 30°)
• Iron at low temperature

Model / Muse: Estelle Baldé, singer, composer.