This know-how could have died out without the beautiful story of transmission between Pascale Douet, former owner, and her daughter-in-law Amandine Busiau, today at the head of the company.
It all started in 2021, when Pascale Douet requested the Chamber of Trades and Crafts (CMA) to prepare the sale of the workshop she had run since 2007. On the other side of France, Amandine Busiau, then an employee in fashion at Zara in Belgium, seized the opportunity to give new impetus to his career and joined the adventure.
Taking up a “disappearing” craft profession was not easy, but thanks to rigorous support from the CMA, the transition was made according to the rules.
Since October 2023, the young entrepreneur has established herself in the workshop, supported by two seamstresses. If the soles still come from Guipuzcoa, in the Spanish Basque Country, everything else is made by hand on site. Wanting to bring modernity, Amandine dares to revisit shoes with higher heels or daring fabrics, like a pair dedicated to Pink October, adorned with symbolic patterns.
Pascale Douet, for her part, is delighted to have passed on her know-how. This wonderful recovery has now earned the town of Saint-Pierre-d'Irube the title of City of Recovery, a trophy presented to Mayor Alain Iriart to salute local efforts in favor of craftsmanship and economic dynamism.
Information on the L’Art de l’espadrille website
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