Business in France of sourcing Antique clothing and textiles
Primarily for the theatre and films - Maris Sharp
It’s my second year living in Brittany France. Before the permanent move I had a gite in Yvignac which I visited regularly for R&R.
I worked in the theatre and had been a prop buyer in the theatre for over 20 years. Working with great designers such as Hildegard Bechtler, Maria Bjornsen, Paul Brown, Es Devlin, Paul Farnsworth, Rob Howell and Ian MacNeil. Their work covered many different periods. My work involved researching the look of these times so I could buy set dressings, fabrics, paperwork, books and handprops to make each production feel and look authentic.
Long hours, stressful, no home life – going round and round on the hampster wheel of earning to keep head above water! So I decided, on a whim, to sell the gite and my home in London and move to France. I did and it and it all went through much more quickly than I had thought. Property normally takes a while to sell in France but it all went through in about 6 months.
My first love is sourcing and buying stuff (which I did when I worked in the theatre in London.) So I decided to try and source antique textiles in France – antique sheets – from the coarse cream ‘chanvre’ (hemp) to fine linen monogrammed, as well as the lesser known ‘metisse’ - a mix of linen and cotton giving an interesting dense flexible texture, are always in stock for quick delivery. These are great as bed covers, curtains or used to make supple clothing which you can easily dye to any colour you want. I have also sourced some vintage peasant clothing for costumiers in the theatre. Most of the vintage and antique clothes I source and buy date from the 19th and 20th century, tending towards the peasant/workers’ type clothing. However I can find anything you might require as I have built up a large source base which covers a wide variety of antique clothing. The peasant/workers’ clothes are nicely worn and full of character. I have used the skills I learned in my job in the theatre and have slowly put together a list of lovely French women who deal in all this. Great for learning the French!
I am happy to get any amount you need – from a single item to a whole load!
I have now supplied, among others, The Royal Shakespeare Company, The Royal Opera House, Lord of the Rings, The New Shakespeare Company and Mama Mia.
Maris Sharp.
www.antique-textiles.com