This April, we enjoyed an unforgettable textile journey through the heart of Paris with the wonderful Rebecca Devaney, founder of Textile Tour of Paris. A passionate textile artist and researcher, Rebecca opened doors to Paris’s rich couture heritage, guiding us through hidden gems, heritage boutiques, and artisan studios where tradition and craftsmanship thrive.
🧵 Our Tour Highlights
Our day began at Ultramod, the oldest haberdashery in Paris. Tucked away on rue de Choiseul and trading since 1832, Ultramod is split across two charming boutiques—one devoted to hats, the other to ribbons, buttons, lace, and vintage sewing notions. Stepping into Ultramod is like entering a living museum of Parisian fashion history, and it set the perfect tone for our tour.
Next, we visited Annie Bouquet, a skilled needlepoint painter with over 30 years of experience. Her studio was filled with stunning hand-painted canvases, each design inspired by French heritage, flowers, and everyday beauty. Many of our guests left with one-of-a-kind pieces to add to their own collections.
Wandering through the historic Galerie Vivienne, we explored the elegant legacy of Parisian window shopping and learned about les Médinas—the skilled artisans, often immigrant women, who once laboured behind the scenes to craft the delicate trimmings and dresses that defined Haute Couture.
At La Droguerie, a crafter’s paradise, we were dazzled by jars of fabric flowers, feathers, beads, and shells. The shelves overflowed with skeins of Merino, Alpaca, and bamboo yarn, alongside walls of pom poms, tassels, and every ribbon imaginable. Creativity thrived here, and it was difficult to leave without a few treasures in hand.
A short walk led us to Mokuba, the iconic Japanese ribbon house beloved by fashion designers worldwide. Their Paris boutique offered exquisite braids, trims, and luxury ribbons—a dream for anyone who loves embellishment.
The Grand Finale: Au Ver à Soie
The cherry on the cake was our private visit to Au Ver à Soie, the world-renowned silk thread manufacturer founded in 1820. We were warmly welcomed by Nathalie, the fifth-generation custodian of the company, who shared the fascinating history of this family-run business and its role in the evolution of French embroidery.
From silk threads once used in Versailles and the Haute Couture runways of Dior and Chanel, to their iconic ranges like Soie d’Alger and Soie de Paris, we were surrounded by colour and craftsmanship. With over 1,000 shades in their collection and a reputation for excellence in hand embroidery, Au Ver à Soie continues to lead the industry in fine silk yarns and specialty threads for goldwork and couture embroidery. Many guests stocked up on silks, wool, ribbons, and rare goldwork supplies not easily found outside Paris.
🧶 A Day to Remember
Rebecca Devaney was a joy to work with—her storytelling, historical insights, and warm personality made the day both inspiring and informative. Through her curated connections, we were able to step behind the scenes and truly feel part of Paris’s living textile legacy.
From buttons to braids, silks to stories, our April Textile Tour was a celebration of craftsmanship, colour, and creativity. We returned home not only with beautiful materials, but with memories stitched into the fabric of our hearts.
🌐 Visit www.creative-experiences.com to join our next textile adventure.
📸 Follow us on Instagram at #craftycreativeexperiences for behind-the-scenes glimpses and future tour announcements.