Feathers, Flowers, Fabulous (Part II)

With a wide variety of textures, colors, and shapes, a visit to Legeron Boutique and Workshop provides non-stop photo opportunities. Sorting through all of the pictures that I took reminded me of how much I enjoyed my visit last month. The easy camaraderie between the employees and the obvious pride that they have in their product prompted me to jokingly ask the owner if he ever employs middle-aged, English speaking interns during the busy season prior to fashion week. I would have a lot to learn and would probably burn my fingers on the irons used to shape the flowers, but it's a fun environment where the workers casually joke with their boss.  Here are just some of the photos that I took to show the complicated process by which a simple piece of fabric is turned into a beautiful artificial flower.

The proprietor of Legeron Boutique, who claimed to have started learning his profession in his mother's womb, explained that the first step is to dip the silk in gelatin and dry it on a rack to stiffen it. Leather and other types of material are also used to create artificial flowers.

After the silk is dry, stamps are used to cut the material into petals and leaves. We saw both the old-fashioned technique used by the owner's great-grandfather and the modern technique.

Stamps are used to cut the material.

A press cuts and makes patterns on the silk to resemble leaves.

Cotton is heated and rolled to make the piping for the stems.

For variegated petals, the material is dyed after it has been cut.

Small irons used to form the petals.

The petals are meticulously shaped.

The stem is wrapped and the Maison Legeron logo is added.

Handmade artificial flowers are truly a work of art!

As I've mentioned in previous posts about Meeting the French, I'm really grateful that they offer the opportunity for residents and visitors to Paris to meet a wide range of artisans.  A Canadian woman, who was also on this tour, explained that she prefers seeing living artists in action rather than visiting the Louvre and seeing the works of artists who are already dead.  There's certainly something to be said about trying to do both while you're in Paris.

While it's possible to visit Legeron Boutique on your own to order a flower or a bridal crown, if you would like to see the workshop and learn more about the process of making flowers, please book a tour with Meeting the French.

Legeron Boutique

20 rue des Petits Champs

Paris 75002

Other tours that I've done with Meeting the French at Work:

Flowers, Feathers, Fabulous (Part I)


Aurélie Cherell, Parisian Fashion Designer


Pep's Umbrella Repair Store


I Need a Hat! A Visit to the Milliner's Boutique


The Herbalist's Shop