How a Craft is Inherited. From Paula's Aunt to Atelier Cinq.
The story of Atelier Cinq didn't begin with a business plan, a fancy logo, or a marketing strategy. It started with summer vacations and women who learned to make their own clothes.
My mother, Paula, learned tailoring from her aunt — my grandfather Mitică's sister. Every summer holiday, teenage Paula would go to her aunt's workshop to earn pocket money. She learned on the go, "stealing the trade," as they say, and, at the same time, gained the freedom to craft her own dresses, exactly as she dreamed them.
As a child and teenager, I only ordered my clothes "from mom." I didn't even want to hear about the sewing machine. Until I was 31, when everything changed. It wasn't out of passion (though that sounds better in bios), but out of necessity. But since I'm a perfectionist, I wanted to learn how it's really done.
I started with my mother, who introduced me to the mysteries of the sewing machine, then I took a 2-year fashion design course at the Art School in Bucharest, with Maria Constantinescu, plus workshops on style, chromatics, fashion history, drawing, research. A lot of work. Then I timidly started making clothes for myself. Then for my friends.
Then, there was a moment when everyone was telling me: "Why don't you sell them to others? They're gorgeous!" Me: "Because I don't have a coherent collection. I don't have a brand. I don't have professional photos. I don't have personalized packaging. I don't have a website."
Until one day, during the pandemic, when I said: That's it. Christmas is coming, we'll make 4-5 dresses, create an Instagram page, post them on groups, and see what happens.
That's how Atelier Cinq was born:
– logo ordered on Fiverr
– a photoshoot in a friends' studio, with me and my cousin, Alexandra, as models
– styling done by my friend, Oana
– no website, no packaging, but with us.
We also made some pajamas, it was the right season. What do you know? We sold over 15 in a month.
Then came the website, the packaging, the coherence, but also the joy. The joy of creating clothes that say something about the women who wear them. That make them feel seen. Different. Strong.
The story continues. And maybe I didn't start with a passion. But in the meantime, it chose me.
If you want to discover more of the Atelier Cinq world, follow us on Instagram - @atelier_cinq_ and subscribe to our newsletter for stories, clothes, and balance.
0 comentarii