from Dolmen high school to the Miss France election

At the Dolmen vocational high school in Poitiers, we could call them the little hands with fairy fingers. During the week preceding the big evening of the Miss France election at the Arena (Saturday December 14, 2024), 80 students from second to final year and BTS students in fashion professions put their talent to good use. Know-how to make the final alterations after fitting on the outfits of the Misses and the dancers.
“Leaving Parisian workshops based on measurements, all outfits must be taken again, once tried on, to be perfectly fitting”, explain the two teachers, Émilie Guilbault and Noëlle Dupont.
Sent in batches to the high school starting on Tuesday, around 300 outfits were worn by the students over four days, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and even until Friday at 6:30 p.m. for a rehearsal at 8 p.m. at the Arena . From regional outfits to white dresses and three-piece suits, the smallest seam has been carried out, checked and approved to obtain a suit that fits well, adapted to each size, all in record time on sometimes new fabrics.

Improvisation et adaptation

Six BTS 1 students^re et 2^e years were selected by the sewing technicians of the Miss France committee, to participate in the retouching of the set during the evening of the Miss election. Tiphaine, Lilou, Maëlle, Elisa and Tom, the only male representative in this essentially female world, had an unforgettable moment. Behind the scenes, there was excitement and great agitation. “It was very intense, but it was good stress and good adrenaline, everything happens very quickly,” explain the young people. Everyone recognizes that it is necessary to demonstrate improvisation and adaptation, which is not denied by one of the little hands who says he was called to resume sewing a zipper on the pants of a Miss. “Sometimes, it's also the disappointment of not seeing the dresses on which we had worked on parade because during rehearsal, the director considered that they didn't catch enough light. »

Stars in your eyes

However, the game was worth it. In terms of compensation, Ève Gilles, Miss France 2024, came to talk with the high school students. In all simplicity, she shared with them her experiences as Miss and shared some secrets between girls. This crazy week also had a direct impact on the future professional choices of young people. “It opens avenues that we had not imagined for later”, they conclude. After a few days which cleared the air, everyone still had stars in their eyes.