La Couture Brigade
Where tradition and innovation meet — stitch by stitch
Hidden behind an unassuming doorway in Paris’s Latin Quarter lies La Couture Brigade, a charming atelier dedicated to preserving and teaching the savoir-faire of French couture. Founded by Dorota Piekarska in 2018, a graduate of the International School of Fashion Design Krakow, the Paris Institute of Draping, L'Institut Supérieur des Arts Appliqués, la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, and Central Saint Martins in London, followed by an illustrious career working for master tailors on Saville Row in London and Hermès, Givenchy and Balenciaga in Paris.
A House of Creative Heritage
Dorota is discerning about selecting the tutors who work at La Couture Brigade and today the atelier is home to a vibrant community of passionate instructors united by one mission - to share their knowledge and skills so they can keep the language of couture alive for generations to come. The atmosphere is both scholarly and welcoming: bolts of silk, cotton and calico line the walls, stockman mannequins stand in quiet attention, and the hum of sewing machines blends with the rhythm of conversation and laughter. The atelier’s central location - moments from the banks of the Seine river, the Notre Dame Cathedral, and the legendary Shakespeare & Company bookstore - allows participants to experience the enchantment of Paris between stitches: quiet cafés, riverside walks, and beautiful architecture.
Jane Taylor-Bouvard — Expert in Historical Costume and Textile Conservation
With a career spanning Europe’s leading cultural institutions, Jane Taylor-Bouvard is a distinguished expert in historical costume and textile conservation. Trained at the Royal School of Needlework and Maison Lesage, she blends couture craftsmanship with academic precision, holding a Master’s in Textile Conservation from the University of Southampton. Her work includes major museum projects in Lyon, Dublin, Wellington, and Bristol, and she now consults for the National Trust and private collections. Dividing her time between Normandy, Paris, and London, Jane leads specialist courses in historical dressmaking and couture, inspiring a new generation to preserve the artistry of fashion heritage.