The craftspeople of the year honored by the French Ministry of Culture
On Tuesday, December 21, the French Minister of Culture, Roselyne Bachelot, honored 14 craftspeople working in the French Maisons selected by the Colbert Committee with the insignia of Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres.
Created in 1954, the Colbert Committee brings together 90 French luxury houses and 17 cultural institutions. Since 2006, it has been working to distinguish the craftspeople of its member companies in 14 categories (leatherwork, gastronomy, vineyards, haute couture, music, watchmaking, etc.). In 15 years, 74 craftspersons have been honored in the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.
By awarding these insignia, the Ministry of Culture is testifying to the special place that luxury craftsmanship occupies in France, and its contribution to the worldwide influence of French culture and heritage. It is also a way to individually recognize the expertise of these craftspeople and their role in the transmission and preservation of unique and rare know-how.
Saxophonist from a very young age, Fabien Lestrade has been working at SELMER since 1983. He started out as an instrument repairer, then became a finisher, controller and trainer for many years, before being appointed head of the saxophone after-sales department and then Quality Manager in 2008.
"For me, this insignia is a pride that symbolizes all these years spent here, the confidence that Jérôme Selmer and the management has given me, and which is reciprocal. I thank them very much for this honor."
| Congratulations to all the honored craftspeople: Jocelyne AUDENET (Painter-filter-decorator in ceramics, Faïencerie de Gien), Eric BOUCHENOIRE (Chef, Joël Robuchon), Alexia BRAEM (Modeler, Patou), Anne-Lise BRETAUDEAU (Leather worker, Longchamp), Denis COURTIADE (Restaurant manager, Hôtel Plaza Athénée Paris), Fernanda DA ROCHA (Furniture seamstress, Société Pierre Frey Couturière), Virginia DA SILVA SANTOS (Seamstress, mechanics manager, Chloé), Solange GIRAND-FONTANA (Seamstress, ERES), Delphine JELK (Perfumer, Guerlain), Fabien LESTRADE (Instrument maker and quality manager, Henri SELMER Paris), Mickaël MARSOLLIER (Pastry chef, Pierre Hermé Paris), Raymond REGNAULT (Prototyping hot forger, Baccarat), Laurent SOLIVÉRÈS (Chef, Guy Savoy), Isabelle TARDY (Leather worker, Louis Vuitton). |
► Learn more about the Colbert Committee
