Maud Ruby, a feather artist based in Paris, encountered the world of fine craftsmanship following her studies in fashion and then in millinery. She learned traditional featherworking before opening her workshop in Paris and delving into the endless possibilities of this noble, enduring, and mysterious material.

What is your background?

After completing my literary baccalaureate, I pursued studies in fashion design at  LISAA school. I undertook several internships in professional environments before enrolling in GRETA fashion school for a course in “fashion and millinery”. It was there that I discovered the world of fine craftsmanship. In 2005, these professions surrounding stylists weren’t talked about at all. My journey into featherworking happened gradually, influenced by encounters such as with Maison Legeron, where I learned the art of traditional featherworking for several years. I collaborated with various artisans including milliner Sandrine Bourg and Michel Carel, who specializes in framework construction for fashion and performance. In March 2016, I opened my own design studio in Paris. Among my first clients were Dries Van Noten, The Row, Givenchy, Ralph Lauren,  and collaborations with fine craftsmen and private clients.

What did your discovery of craftsmanship and fine crafts bring you?

The world of fine crafts suited me much better than the fashion industry. I found my chosen family there. It’s a much calmer environment, less competitive. I felt more at ease there. I’ve always been more inspired by materials… to create, experiment, manipulate, and recreate something else.

What drives you in your profession?

I’m passionate about technique; I love the process of creating and seeking the best way to realize a project, even if it means drawing from other crafts. This constant pursuit keeps me in a perpetual state of learning. I enjoy applying my various technical skills to elevate feathers, giving them a new look while preserving the poetry that characterizes them. What also drives me are the encounters. I often collaborate with different trades, complementary artisans like milliners, glovemakers, shoemakers, or couturiers… There’s a beautiful synergy that emerges.

You work with a material that has a very particular aura: what is your personal relationship with feathers?

I strive to highlight them. Feathers have always fascinated me; they evoke beauty and elegance. I see my profession as a textile enhancement. By transforming feathers, by combining them with other materials, other techniques, and also by innovating, I aim to restore their sacredness. There is a certain tranquility in working with this material, and I seek to captivate the viewer, to make them take the time to look, to bring them back to the poetry and serenity that feathers evoke.

What are your sources of inspiration?

My inspirations are diverse, often drawn from textures, fibers, fauna, and flora. In recent years, I’ve pondered on animal and plant mutation and the encapsulation of movement. I’ve drawn inspiration from various artists such as Jamie North, who explores the dichotomy and rebirth of vegetation in urban spaces. My research on movement or freeze-frame moments led me to take an interest in the graphic work of Ad Dekkers, stroboscopic photography, and Loïe Fuller , the serpentine dancer. Naturally curious, I am constantly observing my surroundings.

What would be a dream project for Maud Ruby?

I would love to one day create an entire set and offer a sensory experience where the viewer can wander through a forest of feathers. The sketches are ready.

How did the meeting with Collection Latil go, and why did you join the Collection?

I met Olivia during the Révélations 2023 exhibition. She was showcasing the work of Sonja De Monchy, who was exhibiting next to me. Olivia has such kindness and makes people feel extremely comfortable. A connection was quickly established between us. The reasons that convinced me to join the Collection are this kindness and love for the material, as well as the richness and creativity of the artists and artisans that Collection Latil highlights.

You can also find Maud Ruby in the Collection space.

Photos – ©Thomas Deschamps, ©Benjamin Debut, ©Taline Kassar