François Lesage

Who was François Lesage?

François Lesage was a French embroidery designer and heir to the embroidery atelier, Maison Lesage. Lesage was a Chevalier of the Legion d'Honneur.

Lesage was born in Chaville, France, on March 31, 1929.

Lesage inherited the Maison Lesage, which was bought by his father, Albert Lesage, in 1924. He became well known for his embroidery work throughout the French high fashion houses in Paris. Lesage shepherded the business throughout the late 20th Century, at a time when many other traditional embroidery houses in France disappeared. Under Lesage, the House collaborated with new, well known fashion clients, including Givenchy, Christian Lacroix, Balenciaga and Dior. Lesage partnered with many of the era's best known fashion designers, including Elsa Schiaparelli and Vionnet.

François Lesage sold the Maison Lesage to Chanel in 2002. Chanel had begun its acquisition of many of Paris' top petites mains in a bid to ensure their continued survival in a changing fashion industry.

Lesage was awarded the Maître d'Art from the French Ministry of Culture in November 2011, just one week before his death.