Ludivine, designer of fabric bags, opens a local and second-hand craft business in Gironde

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“There’s no fabric stopping me, you just have to find the right one!” » Ludivine Alsters has just opened her business on rue Maubec in Langon (Gironde), Maison 46, where she has set up her sewing workshop and where she sells her creations: bags, vanity cases and satchels. “I created my brand (which bears his name) 4 years ago and I built up a small clientele in the region thanks to my participation in Christmas market of the city. So, I seized the opportunity of premises in the pedestrian street to set up my business here,” says this local artisan.

“A new adventure”

At 43, this Girondine is embarking on a “new adventure”, already with several professional experiences: “I was a self-employed hairdresser for 6 years, an accounting secretary for 6 other years, then I worked the same duration at McDonald's, before spending 3 years as manager of an automobile technical inspection center. This journey is so similar to me: each job corresponds to a slice of life,” she notes.

Initially, Ludivine wanted to become a judge, she remembers, and she headed towards law studies. “But due to a accident of lifeI had to stop everything,” she explains. “I never took a sewing class, I had never typed on a computer before becoming a secretary, I'm more of a paper-and-pencil person but I still took to Instagram…” smiles the designer, who emphasizes “his ability to bounce back from every situation”.

A passion born a long time ago

This shop in Langon is a bit of a logical continuation of a passion that was born a long time ago. “I suffered from morbid obesity until I was 18, when I had surgery. I weighed 120 kg then, I dressed in black and my only 'means of expression' were the handbags that I created for myself,” she explains.

My outfits were dark, but on the other hand, this accessory was very big and colorful, it was my pride.

Tired of the “patriarchal universe” of her last job, Ludivine then returns to her first loves. She begins to make a first collection which she first sells at markets, fairs or various points of sale in France.

“My workshop at home was starting to take up too much space, I decided to open my own store in Langon. »

A new challenge that takes on its full meaning with Ludivine's values: made in France, local. “I knew that offering only my creations would be a hassle, so I opened this place to around ten local artisans: decorative objects, natural perfumes, candles, jewelry, macramé, paper flowers…”

Defend local crafts

A “militant act”, she believes, to defend the idea that “local crafts are also affordable for all budgets”. She also sells second-hand clothes, “in impeccable condition, chosen by her”. She also makes bags with personalized messages embroidered inside, to order.

Ludivine would also like to create a collection of jackets, which should see the light of day next February. “A little extra in her outfit that can add pep and style with beautiful colors! » She would also like to set up workshops from January: paper flowers, jewelry… » The idea is to “make this place a place of life, of exchange, of experience, with shared moments, girly, cute, cocooning, cozy…”

House 46, rue Maubec. Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tel: 06 63 39 23 21. Instagram: @maisonquarantesix

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