Villaines Basketery

Sessùn has always been part of a conscious approach focused on quality and the enhancement of know-how, and stands out for its support of local traditions and its involvement in ethical and responsible production.
First step: the Basketry of Villaines, which accompanies us in many projects. Christian Boutreau, best artisan of France, offers us a guided tour.

For several years, we have been working in collaboration with the Basketry Cooperative of Villaines. This unique structure is also the last in France. Founded in 1849 and transformed into a cooperative in 1937, it brings together about fifty basket makers and 25 wicker growers, and in 2006 it obtained the label of Entreprise du Patrimoine vivant (Living Heritage Company).

The first lamps of our historic shop on rue de Charonne were woven by the basket makers, then a larger project was entrusted to them to make the covering for the Cocoon of our Permanent Pop-Up, in the annex of this same shop. Prepared in advance, the rattan stems and ties were assembled to the ash frame in situ, then enriched with wicker patches braided directly on the structure.

This summer we asked the Basketry to work on an exclusive and totally new project for them: the production of furniture made of braided ropes for our shops in Rennes and Strasbourg. Using ropes made to measure by the Choletaise, also labelled a Living Heritage Company, a special braiding technique was used to cover the metal structures. This unique combination of materials and techniques has given rise to a whole range of furniture that interacts with textiles and interior design.

We wanted you to discover the incomparable know-how of these men and women who bring to life an ancestral tradition by enriching it with a precious modernity.