It was after having attended a press officer school that Delphine Viellard discovers the world of fashion where she multiplies experiences. In particular, she will organize haute couture fashion shows for the prestigious house Balenciega, and will develop small promotional items for Guerlain. One day, an encounter will change his life. “ It is a person who made hats and it was she who made me want to get started. I also had a love at first sight compared to the hatcet quite magical accessory “, she remembers.
From about twenty yearsshe is like this fashion designer. « Initially, we made the collections together and it revealed my creative side in me. ” In 2012it’s the big leap: she opens her workshop-showroom in the Vauban district in Marseille (6e). « I am self-taught that is to say, I invented myself my own creative technique. And I create unique pieces depending on the people, for weddingsTHE occasions or the evenings », explains the craftswoman.
Creations that reveal the person
To make these hats that customers will be sure not to find on anyone else, it all starts with a meeting by appointment dans son atelier-showroom.
« The customer comes with her outfit. I have models that I try and depending on the feelingwe draw up a little audit of the persondepending on what she wants, in relation to the colors, to the materials that I can dye according to her outfit. This is where sprouts in my head what I could create for her. Then it is a story of trust between my client and me », summarizes Delphine Viellard.
Three weeks laterthe person concerned returns to the workshop. “ She will discover the hat formed from natural materials based on everything she has told me, what she is and where I can take her. Because these are not hats with a crown and a brim, but rather sculptures. It is important that the person is revealed », insists the craftswoman. Thus, the client will not only « assume the originality of the hat »but she will also « love wearing it » et « love and appreciate each other ». A hat with which she can return to the workshop a few years later to transform it back into a circular economy logic.
A hat to protect against cancer
In her career, Delphine Viellard did not fail to rely on the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Chamber of Trades and Crafts (CMA Paca), which notably allowed her to validate your commercial journey via a VAE (Validation of acquired experience). “ We were able to do this face-to-face training during the covid period, and this allowed me to meet other people who work in small structures “, she emphasizes.
Today, Delphine Viellard has no shortage of projects. Following the resurgence of skin cancersshe launched the collection « Capsule »of the anti-UV hats to protect yourself from the sun. « It’s a mini-series that I have made in France. The idea was to diversify and to raise awareness that the hat is a way to protect your skin. » This craftswoman who appears on the Route des arts et des gourmandises also offers for winter a collection of woolen hats and scarvesproducts « at the right price in beautiful materials »far from what the fast fashion. A successful diversification since these activities now account for half of its turnover.
