His name is Taddek Rusin. He is Polish. He went to Paris in 1961 to spend his vacations. His life took a turn when he met Paco Rabanne, with whom he worked for ten years for the biggest fashion houses. Paco Rabanne designs, and Taddek takes care of the pattern making, then the realization of the leather goods. This man, passionate about leather, has worked for some of the most famous designers in the world: Givenchy, Nina Ricci, Dior... Today he shares his experience with us.
Interview Taddek from Valet de pique on Vimeo.
I had the opportunity to find Paco Rabanne on my way.
Martin: What is your name and where are you from?
TADDEK : My name is Taddek, I come from Poland, I arrived in France in 1961, that's ... half a century!
Martin : Why leather goods?
TADDEK : I am mainly manual. And I was passionate about leather, for several reasons: it is a noble material, and I think easy to work with.
Martin : How did you start ?
TADDEK : I fell into it because I had the opportunity to find Paco Rabanne on my way. I was his collaborator. He drew wonderfully, and I executed his prototypes. We worked for Nina Ricci, Givenchy and especially for Dior.
Martin: What was your role?
TADDEK: Simply to make. With me there was a sense of creation. The designers of each fashion house would just give us the theme.
Martin: What is a beautiful bag?
TADDEK: We try to be in the loop, simply, it is not that it is the most beautiful, but it is the most fashionable!
Martin: Who was drawing?
TADDEK: It was Paco Rabanne who designed.
Martin: And you?
TADDEK: I made the first pattern, model, he presented it to the designers, and that was it.
Martin: How long did you work with him?
TADDEK: 8 years.
Martin: What can you tell us about Paco Rabanne?
TADDEK: Very nice, very nice, and very talented, oh yes.
Martin: How long does it take to make a bag?
TADDEK: It depends, hand sewn, 14-15 hours.
Martin: Three qualities to be a good leather worker?
TADDEK : Ah, you have to be patient, you have to be meticulous, and you have to not be afraid to redo. Especially the models, the first pieces, you never get it right the first time.
Martin: What do you like most about this job?
TADDEK: That leather will never go out of fashion, never compete. It is a noble material.
Martin: The most beautiful encounters of your career?
TADDEK: It's Paco Rabanne. Madame Vincent is also an exceptional encounter. She was a lady who was 93 years old.
Martin: Your most important client?
TADDEK: The Iranian princess, Faradiba.
