Prune Faux

Featherworker

©VirginieOvessianPhotgraphe

The bold iridescence of the common feather

Prune is specialised in creating with feathers
She started practising her craft at an early age
She shares her place of creation with her husband who makes olive oil

Prune Faux's journey as a featherworker is deeply intertwined with the rich heritage of French craftsmanship, tracing back to 13th-century courts. Trained at Paris' renowned school dedicated to this craft, she refined her skills after completing studies in model design. Prune was inspired by her dedicated mentors and became enamoured with the history and boundless creativity of featherwork. After her education, she worked in high fashion at Maison Lemarié in Paris, contributing to prestigious projects and immersing herself in the world of exquisite dresses and dazzling sequins. Transitioning to her own ventures, she now regularly showcases her creations at events and operates her boutique in Maussane. Prune often collaborates with brands and fellow artisans. Her work is characterised by an appreciation for the natural world, vibrant colours, and luminous atmospheres. Together with her partner, she made the decision to relocate to Provence in 2015 and, being passionate about sharing her craft with others, she regularly hosts courses at her workshop, inviting others to explore the intricate art of featherwork.

Interview

©VirginieOvessianPhotgraphe

©VirginieOvessianPhotgraphe

What was the first object you created?: There are several that have marked my career. The first is the creation of a feather flower when I was in training. Then there was a Dior top with very pretty haute couture feathers. My first large scale lampshade was very special. And finally, my biggest piece, a life-size pink flamingo. It has a papier mâché base and is covered in feathers.
What do you like most in your profession?: Feathers! The beauty of the material. Each feather makes you feel something different. A feather cannot disintegrate and is immortal. I love the less noble, 'everyday' feathers like pheasant. For instance, there is an incredible variety of pheasant feathers and my favourite is the Lady Amherst pheasant as it has bold colours.
Has there been a particularly significant moment for you?: I would say the shift from Parisian life to life in the Alpilles which asserted my choice and confirmed my self-confidence. After my few years of professional experience, I felt capable and in the right place professionally. I was invited to a major exhibition in Belgium in October 2014 which turned out to be a springboard. I spent 8 months working on the pieces.
What aspect of your work do people usually know little about?: That my creations are not delicate. If you do not deliberately try to break a piece or mistreat it, the feather is a material that can resist bad weather and many events.

Prune Faux is a master artisan: she began her career in 2014 and she started teaching in 2018