Sylvie Facon is renowned for her stunning book-themed dresses, where she incorporates book spines, covers, and pages into her designs. A couture designer, based in the north of France, in all fairness, she is renowned for her fantastical gown creations in general. She describes her work as, “not totally steampunk, not totally fantasy, not totally fairytale, but a little of all of them.” While I find all of her dresses to be elegant flights of fancy you almost can’t believe really exist, I am especially moved by her book series of dresses. The designer is very sought-after for her custom wedding gowns and her floral outfits are probably the most actually wearable, but oh those book dresses.
Sylvie Facon and Arnaud Derville had been friends for a while. A decade ago, Arnaud Derville and company made the Grande Librairie d’Arras into an independent bookshop. They worked together to select antique tombs with just the right look to be upcycled into couture. These dresses are not only a display of Facon’s skill as a fashion designer but also a celebration of literature and craftsmanship and friendship.
I think her unique attention to her materials is part of what makes her work stand out. Not only does she utilize unexpected materials like books, but, for example, she always loves to work with lace from Jean Bracq. Jean Bracq was founded in 1889 and is one of the top producers of leavers lace in the world. Especially sought after for high end couture wedding gowns, leavers lace is intricately woven together, with thousands of threads, on a type of loom which is no longer made.
For an avid book lover like myself, Facon’s book-themed dresses are nothing short of magical. Not just garments, they are a bibliophile’s dream manifesting in fabric. Facon’s ingenious use of materials pays homage to the cherished companionship that books provide. It’s a visual feast for those who find solace, adventure, and inspiration in the pages of their favorite novels.
which is now available in Print and Digital editions from Zinetastic
