Sarah Saint-Pol – Master pleater

Nouvelle-Aquitaine – 1990

Coming from a family of seamstresses and visual artists, Sarah Saint-Pol initially turned to classical music, joining national symphony orchestras after training at prestigious conservatories. An injury forced her to end her musical career, leading her to take a new direction. This setback led her to pursue a master’s degree in cultural management and creative industries. By the age of 26, she became an orchestra manager at the Philarmonie de Paris and the Abbaye aux Dames in Saintes.

Driven by a desire for more creative expression, Sarah Saint-Pol trained in pleating on her own. Her passion led her to establish a “Maison d’Art Porté” in 2018, specializing in pleated clothing and accessories. Never one to be confined by tradition, Sarah constantly explores the multifaceted nature of pleating, pushing beyond established techniques. Her innovative spirit led her to found ÊKÔ – Laboratoire de Plis in 2022. This research and development studio is dedicated to discovering innovative and sustainable applications for pleating, with a particular focus on the fascinating interplay between folds and acoustics. Sarah is also taking part in the application for UNESCO labelling of cognac, through a dyed and pleated silk artwork, a testament to local craftsmanship.

2022 – Laureate of the Greater Angoulême “Innovation” Call for Projects

2022 – Laureate of the AMI “Innovation-Design and Know-How of Excellence” – Nouvelle-Aquitaine

2023 – Laureate of the “Métiers d’Art” grant from the Fonds Cré’Atlantique for the creation of an acoustic work

2023 – Laureate of the “Stars & Métiers” award – Banque Populaire x CMA

2024 – Laureate of the Fondation Banque Populaire

Research and innovation

Sarah Saint-Pol is dedicated to eco-responsible craftsmanship, prioritizing sustainable and noble materials sourced locally in Europe. She uses recycled and innovative materials in a creative way to produce one-off pieces or small series. Her project “Plissés une seconde vie” (‘Pleated, a second life’) made from advertising banners, a finalist in the “J’agis pour réduire” competition and selected by Museum Connections, bears witness to this commitment.

Transmission

Since 2023, she has been a regular speaker at specialist training courses in fashion, leather goods and textile design. Additionally, she lectures on the history of pleating and conducts introductory pleating workshops at cultural institutions. During the academic year, she mentors Fashion and Leather Goods students at specialised teaching establishments in the region. Sarah is now seeking the Foundation‘s support for the purchase of a cutting plotter. This will enable her to optimise the time-consuming tracing phase, without mechanising the folding that makes her creations so unique.