Book club with Olympia Le-Tan
The Olympia Le-Tan® brand is renowned for its unique and artistic approach to accessories, particularly its iconic book clutches. Each book clutch stands as a testament to the brand's commitment to traditional craftsmanship and modern elegance.
Each piece is not merely an accessory but a unique work of art, narrating its own story through intricate designs and high-quality materials. Join us as the Olympia Le-Tan® team tells us about their thorough and thoughtful approach to design which seamlessly blends tradition with modernity.
We're very curious about the stories behind the bags and the way they are made. How did the Olympia Le-Tan brand begin?
The Olympia Le-Tan® brand has an intriguing history rooted in the reinvention of a classic accessory. The story begins with the minaudière, a small ornamental case from the 1930s designed to hold a woman’s daily essentials. In 2009, Gregory Bernard and Olympia Le-Tan sought to modernize this elegant item, transforming it into a must-have accessory for contemporary women.
Olympia Le-Tan herself led this transformation until 2018, after which the brand’s design team continued her legacy. The result is the iconic book clutch, distinguished by its hand embroidered felt cover that mimics the appearance of a book. The creation of each clutch involves a meticulous and lengthy process, emphasizing traditional craftsmanship and ensuring high quality.
From its debut, the book clutch quickly gained popularity, becoming a coveted item among celebrities. These bags are not just fashion accessories but limited edition art pieces, each numbered and produced in small quantities. They combine handmade embroidery with luxury artisanal work, making each piece unique.
Today, the design team curates impactful visuals and titles from various fields, including literature, art, film, music, and culture, to create new and compelling designs. This approach keeps the Olympia Le-Tan® brand at the forefront of fashion, continually merging tradition with modernity.
Can you tell us more about the way these beautiful bags are made?
The creation of Olympia Le-Tan® bags is a meticulous process that combines innovative techniques with traditional craftsmanship. Olympia Le-Tan® pioneered a unique embroidery style, blending silk and cotton yarn with felt, revolutionizing the craft. This new technique was taught to skilled manufacturers in India and Portugal, ensuring that the intricate designs and high quality are consistently maintained.
The relationship with these artisans is vital to Olympia Le-Tan®, fostering a commitment to excellence. Each bag is crafted entirely by hand, reflecting the dedication and love put into every piece. The intricate details and complex designs of each bag narrate a story, making them not just accessories but pieces of art.
From the initial design inspiration to the final hand-embroidered product, every step of the process is carried out with care and precision. This dedication ensures that each Olympia Le-Tan bag is a unique, high-quality item that stands out in the world of fashion.
What's the process like when choosing the artworks for book clutches in collaborations with museums like The Met and the Victoria & Albert?
Our approach to selecting artworks for book clutches in collaboration with prestigious museums such as The Met and the Victoria & Albert involves several key steps: First Inspiration: We draw inspiration from a wide array of sources including art, literature, movies, and painting. This diverse range ensures that our designs are rich and varied.
Second, Design Adaptation: Once inspired, we adapt these designs specifically to be embroidered using both thread and felt. This step is crucial to maintaining the integrity and beauty of the original artwork while making it suitable for our book clutches.
Third, Hand Embroidery: Our skilled manufacturers then bring these designs to life through hand embroidery. This meticulous process can take up to 300 hours for each clutch, ensuring a high level of craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Fourth, Assembly: The embroidered pieces are then assembled onto our traditional gold stainless steel frames. We also apply a unique Liberty® Fabric lining to each clutch, adding an extra touch of elegance and individuality.
Fifth, Numbering: Each book clutch is numbered chronologically from 1 to 77, making every piece a unique collector’s item.
Six, Museum Archive Research: When collaborating with museums, we delve into their extensive archives. For The Met, we explore images from their museum capsule, posters, and published books that resonate with OLT’s universe. With the V&A, due to their vast archives, we organize our research around specific themes and trends to find the most fitting images.
This comprehensive process ensures that each book clutch not only reflects our brand’s essence but also honors the rich heritage and artistic excellence of the collaborating museums.
