she was Johnny Hallyday's dresser for more than 30 years

For more than 30 years, she dressed the biggest French stars: Sylvie Vartan, France Gall, Mylène Farmer, but especially Johnny Hallyday. Today, Nelly Giraud, now retired, has chosen a more peaceful life. She works voluntarily in a thrift store in Cantal.

In Vic-sur-Cère, in Cantal, with her nose in her memories, Nelly Giraud flips through more than 30 years of rhinestones and sequins. In the photos, the seamstress is never far from Johnny Hallyday, always ready for a last minute alteration. Nelly Giraud, Johnny's former dresser, says: “He always had his Gitanes without filter, his bottle of water, his towel, before going on stage. Johnny was a friend, a brother. We didn't talk to each other. We communicated through our eyes. We understood each other”.

Before dedicating her life, alongside the biggest French stars, Nelly Giraud worked for haute couture houses, such as Chanel and Givenchy. But in 1969, she met someone close to Johnny, who first suggested she work for Sylvie Vartan. Nelly explains: “I was planning to do this for just a month and return to Givenchy. Finally I let go of everything”.

Now far from the world of showbiz, Nelly has remained faithful to her lifelong passion. She became a volunteer for a Cantal thrift store. Accustomed to luxury clothes, Johnny's former dresser is delighted to work with more ordinary materials. It states: “I can sew everything: leather, caps. Whatever comes to hand, I do it”.

Dominique does not deal with sewing but with sales. The volunteer admires Nelly’s journey. Dominique Ciria underlines: “She told me her story which is fascinating”. From 1990, until Johnny's last tour, Nelly never left the singer's side.

Tags France