Nelly Saunier: The Mastery of Feather Art in the Service of Luxury

In the refined yet dazzling world of feather craftsmanship, Nelly Saunier stands as an essential figure. Awarded the title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France, she has mastered the art of elevating feathers into unique creations that bridge traditional artisanal skills and the demands of luxury. With flawless technique and boundless creativity, her work comes to life in haute couture ateliers, museums, and even film sets.

For over three decades, Nelly Saunier has been exploring the endless possibilities of feathers. Trained at a very young age in this delicate craft, she draws inspiration from birds and nature, which she considers her greatest teachers. Her creations, infused with poetry and precision, pay tribute to a centuries-old tradition while bringing it firmly into the modern era.

In a world where artisanal know-how is increasingly at risk, Nelly Saunier plays a decisive role in both preserving and reinventing the art of feather work. She works with natural feathers from species such as goose, rooster, and pheasant, but also with exotic feathers, always collected in full compliance with international regulations. Each feather is carefully selected, dyed, shaped, and assembled to create striking visual effects and subtle tactile sensations that make every piece a singular work of art.

Nelly Saunier’s creations shine across the worlds of haute couture, design, and contemporary art. She has collaborated with legendary fashion houses such as Chanel, Dior, and Jean Paul Gaultier, bringing her unique mastery of the art of feather work to collections that have left a lasting mark on the history of fashion.

Beyond haute couture, Nelly Saunier’s expertise is sought after in cinema and scenography. She has contributed to the creation of costumes for films, where her delicate feathers bring an extra layer of soul and magic to the characters they adorn.

The art of featherwork demands extreme precision and an intimate understanding of materials. Every stage of creation, from preparing feathers to their assembly, is done by hand in a relentless pursuit of excellence. Traditional techniques, such as cutting and mounting on silk, are combined with modern innovations to meet the expectations of the most discerning designers.

Among her standout creations are spectacular feathered gowns, delicate accessories such as fans or jewelry, and art pieces exhibited in galleries. Each work reflects a perfect blend of technical mastery and imagination.

As a craft ambassador, Nelly Saunier champions the transmission of skills. She trains young talents in her atelier and takes part in initiatives that highlight artisanal crafts, helping secure their recognition on the international stage.

Aware of environmental issues, she adopts an approach that respects biodiversity. The feathers she uses come exclusively from birds raised for other purposes, following a circular economy principle. This commitment to responsible luxury aligns perfectly with the growing expectations of haute couture houses and collectors.

Today, Nelly Saunier’s work goes beyond fashion. She collaborates with interior designers and artists, using feathersto create wall installations and sculptures. These pieces reveal a new dimension of her art, where feathers become a standalone material, capable of capturing light, movement, and emotion.

For Nelly, each project is a new opportunity to innovate and push the boundaries of what’s possible. Whether it’s a spectacular costume or a design object, her creations exude rare elegance, paying tribute to the timeless beauty of feathers.

Through her work, Nelly Saunier continues to demonstrate that artisan craftsmanship remains highly relevant in the modern world. With her unique expertise, eco-conscious approach, and passion for innovation, she is redefining the boundaries of feather art, ensuring this ancestral heritage thrives in a bright future.