Marthe Desmoulins & Franck Dorat

FAIRE Creatives

21 May

Issue 11 Sneak Peak

Twenty years ago, Marthe Desmoulins and Franck Dorat left behind creative careers that spanned Paris, New York and Japan for a slower life in a small town in the heart of Provence. Marthe has spent most of her professional life championing artists and creatives. She founded her legendary first boutique, Absinthe, in Paris in 1989 before going on to be an artistic director and buyer for the New York concept store Destination and then Bazar et Garde Manger in Japan. Franck is a creative jack of all trades, having worked in cinema set design and 3D special effects. Inspired by the work of Alexander Calder, he creates sculptures in wire and ceramics from his atelier in Pernes-les-Fontaines.

Today, they collaborate on and curate L’Atelier de Chauffe, a gallery filled with storied ceramics, art, curiosities and antique finds.

In conversation with Marthe Desmoulins and Franck Dorat
Photography by Karen Hilmersson

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“The art we have within our home is like living human beings – we’re very attached to it. It’s living alongside us, telling us stories. It’s reassuring. It makes us feel good. ”

“When I met Marthe, everything was in flux. I believe that when we change track, a lot of new things come into our life and Marthe was this great positive change.”

“When I was a kid, I was a dreamer. I still am. I was in my own world and inventing stories was my artistic fibre. When I was 12, the first Star Wars film came out. It had such a huge influence on me and it has continued to influence me throughout my life. I remember telling my parents that that was what I wanted to do. ”