Hélène Pierucci

Leatherworker

©Caroline Dejonghe

A taste for leather

Hélène is specialised in hand sewing saddlery
She also makes functional leather objects and artworks
Atelier PO! is dedicated to both creation and repair

“Leather chose me” affirms Hélène Pierucci, a leatherworker based in the north-western edge of Paris. Hélène found her calling in her forties, she left her managerial position to immerse herself in leather craftsmanship, embracing her passion for this noble material. Specialised in saddlery, leather goods and leather casing, she opened her atelier in 2016. Hélène works on timeless accessories, to which she adds her touches of fantasy. In addition to made to measure designs, her atelier focuses on repair. Giving a second life to bags, suitcases or wallets is the essence of her philosophy. Hélène’s aim is to promote local craftsmanship, inspire sustainable thinking and create links with her clients.

Interview

©Caroline Dejonghe

©Caroline Dejonghe

When did you first think of working with leather?: I remember well my first contact with leather at the age of 12, with an old teacher from a well known Maison. It must have germinated very slowly. Later when I was thinking about choosing my working material, this memory came back to me.
How is your craft linked to your region?: I claim the status of a local artisan. I work on high-end leather goods while offering a repair service for everyone. My workshop is often open to young people to discover, inspire and explain the why and how of craftsmanship.
How are tradition and innovation expressed in your work?: In a single day, I can work with age-old tools and techniques, but also work on the computer modelling of a mould for 3D printing. I try to integrate the principles of eco-design into my process: thinking about sustainability in terms of techniques, materials, reparability, and the lifetime of the product.
What advice would you give an aspiring leatherworker?: To reflect on their deepest desire and answer the following question, am I a creator or a maker? There is nothing pejorative about being a maker. But it is very important in the choice of how to exercise one's profession: alone, or in a small company.

Hélène Pierucci is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2014 and she started teaching in 2020