Victor Mailhan

Leatherworker

Lola Moser ©Michelangelo Foundation

An unbridled passion for leather

Victor specialises in riding gear
He owns a Camargue horse stud farm
His work also includes restoration

Victor Mailhan was born and raised among horses. He decided he would become a horse saddler at the age of 12. A friend of his parents was a saddler and watching him work fascinated him. After training with the Compagnons du Devoir in leatherwork and fashion, Victor then spent three years as an apprentice in the saddlery of Louis Fattore. After what he considers one of the most memorable experiences of his professional life, and before opening his own workshop in January 2011 in Fourques, Victor worked in upholstery at Borghino, making the interiors of helicopters in Saint-Rémy de Provence. Although he specialises in Camargue riding gear, his work also includes hiking equipment and gear for classic horse riding, Iberian horse riding and horse shows.

Interview

Lola Moser ©Michelangelo Foundation

Lola Moser ©Michelangelo Foundation

What made you choose this career?: This is a profession of passion, which is essential for the practice of our traditions. I also love working with leather, a noble material which allows you to create fabulous pieces by shaping it.
Is your profession in danger?: Yes, because our consumer society with its constant need for profit is detrimental to the know-how that is so particular and essential to this trade. It's not about doing repetitive, industrialised work; on the contrary, each piece requires specific techniques and knowledge.
When do you consider a piece to be well made?: 98 percent of my work is done by hand, which requires patience and a very significant amount of time. 'Well made' means balancing aesthetics, solidity and ergonomics, and is something which is in constant evolution.
What inspires you?: Being a keen horse rider myself, I use my insight in the service of my skills as much as possible and I always try to use long-held knowledge in a contemporary way. The nature and comfort of the animal are also great sources of inspiration to me as well as the evolution of horseback riding.

Victor Mailhan is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2012