Maud Ruby

Featherworker

©Benjamin Debut

Let the feathers speak

Maud collaborates with major luxury houses
She regularly gives featherwork courses and workshops
She is passionate about material, technique, and colours

Maud Ruby started her career in the fashion world by training as a fashion designer in Paris. Passionate about materials and volume, she then followed a complementary training in millinery. Her passion for feathers developed after she met Monsieur Legeron from the long-established Parisian house of artificial flowers and feathers, and she joined his workshop. For five years, Maud learned the traditional art of featherwork and discovered craftsmanship. In March 2016, she opened her own design studio in Paris. "The workshop is a place for sharing and discussion, where I like to highlight, by way of feathers, the desires of my clients." Maud now works for the biggest Parisian craft houses such as Maison Legeron, Lemarié, Mad studio, Sandrine Bourg, but also for fashion houses, such as Givenchy, The Row, or Dries Van Noten.

Interview

Why did you choose featherwork?: The history of this trade is extremely rich and goes back to ancient Egypt. I like the mix of tradition and modernism that surrounds it. It imposes on me a certain humility and respect for feathers. I also like its delicacy, the meticulousness required, the dialogue I have with it. It calms me.
What do you love most about it today?: I love the independence and the creative freedom it gives me from an intellectual point of view and during the creative process. Crafts such as featherwork appeal to our sensitivity.
How is featherwork related to France?: France has contributed a lot to the use and development of featherwork. Under Louis XIV, aristocrats were very fond of feathers as adornment for their hats. By the beginning of the 1800s, featherwork was more democratic. At one point feathers were almost as expensive as diamonds.
Can you tell us about a memorable piece you created?: I collaborated with Dries Van Noten on their Fall Winter 2016 collection. I made embroidered collar and bead chokers, as well as a beaded rooster whip fringe for shoes, all inspired by the muse Luisa Casati.

Maud Ruby is a master artisan: she began her career in 2008 and she started teaching in 2017