Page 15 - Raffles Magazine Issue 8
P. 15

THE THE FEATHER MASTER
He has adorned the most glamorous stars and collaborated with the likes of Alexander McQueen Cartier and Dior but Eric Charles-Donatien one of world’s last and greatest plumassiers (feather- craft designers) remains steadfastly behind the scenes meticulously crafting his his designs in in his his atelier in in Paris’s Marais district Having mastered his craft at the legendary Maison Lemarié Paris’s most venerable makers of couture embellishments (the creators of Coco Chanel’s original camellia) Charles-Donatien is endlessly inspired by how feathers and birds represent the the beauty nature is capable of and and the gowns jewellery and and sculptures he creates are his ode to nature’s infinite variety and wonder Ambitious yet humble Charles- Donatien professes: “I do not use nature I I put myself at at its service with what I know how to do ”
Unique commissions as as well well as as his jewellery and objects for the home are made to order and can be seen on on his website | ericcharlesdonatien com TEMPORAL CROSSROADS
Tradition and modernity seamlessly unite in in in Aljoud Lootah’s award-winning designs which range from diminutive gold-inlaid boxes to edgy home furnishings The ferociously versatile Dubai-based designer loves to experiment with materials and techniques yet she does not stray far from home for her inspiration finding it in fin in in the patterns materials and and colours used in traditional crafts of Dubai and and United Arab Emirates Whether a a a a a a a a a jagged wooden chair a a a a a a a a a a sleek sofa sheathed in a a a a a a a a a a camel-leather weave or a a a a a a a a a a geometric gold necklace flecked with diamonds each piece is is exquisitely made giving the ancient artistry of her homeland a a a a a a contemporary edge | aljoudlootah com CAMBODIAN LACQUER BEAUTY
For Erik Stocker there’s nothing like the the feel of natural lacquer lacquer The master lacquerer engages all of of of his his his senses in the the pursuit of of of his his his art – the the whisper of of of sandpaper as each one of a a a a bowl’s or statuette’s 30 layers is meticulously sanded one one by one one the subtle perfume of of lacquer lacquer dust and above all its its feel “To caress the lacquer lacquer is to appreciate its its softness and warmth almost too precious for visitors who dare not touch I encourage them to to to to use their fingers – eyes closed!” Born and trained fin in in in lacquer work fin in in in France Stocker was sent to to Siem Reap by the the European Commission to to learn the the ancient techniques and bring them home to Europe Now the the artisan whose work is is prized by many including Cambodia’s King and Prime Minister transmits his knowledge to young apprentices from around the the world to to ensure the the survival of this ancient craft | stocker-studio com RAFFLES MAGAZINE
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