If you are at least a little interested in the field of creation and you live in the Lyon region, then you have surely already heard of the Village des Créateurs . If this is not the case but you are curious to discover a structure supporting beautiful creative projects, then this article should also please you.
Photo credit: Village des Créateurs
What is VDC in brief 🔍
Since 2001, the Village des Créateurs has been finding and supporting companies located in the Rhône-Alpes region, specializing in the fields of fashion, decoration or object design . A great project that was born thanks to funding from the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes Region, the Lyon Metropolis and the city of Lyon. Today, 79 companies are members.
Photo credit: Village des Créateurs
The structure's offices, as well as their "VDC | B" boutique, have taken up residence at Passage Thiaffait located on the Pentes de la Croix Rousse . A real village, this place now brings together 12 boutiques and 3 offices of their member brands.
The Village des Créateurs has also opened a pop-up store at the Grand Hôtel Dieu de Lyon on rue Bellecordière (until August 31, 2019). And recently, you can find a new VDC boutique on place Bellecour: Le Kiosque.
You will be able to discover the creations of several young brands in the fields of fashion, lifestyle, and design.
The Thiaffait Passage 🏛️
While strolling through the streets of Lyon, you may have already passed by this historic open-air traboule in Lyon , the Passage Thiaffait. Built in the 19th century , the Maison Thiaffait housed several dwellings, both bourgeois and workers, but also businesses.
The place became a Passage thanks to a private initiative of the owners, who wanted to facilitate the climb of the Pentes de la Croix Rousse from rue René Laynaud. Two staircases giving access to the current rue Burdeau were then built.
At the end of the 80s, the Croix Rousse district was abandoned and insecurity was growing in the Passage Thiaffait. About ten years later, the public authorities took a closer interest in the rehabilitation of this part of the city, and wanted to breathe new life into the Passage. In 1994, with the help of the SERL (Société d'Équipement du Rhône et de Lyon), the buildings were restored to create mixed housing between social housing and private owners. And in 1998, the public authorities decided to set up a new project that would see the light of day after two more years of work, that of the Village des Créateurs.
Before renovation
Photo credit: Village des Créateurs
After renovation
Photo credit: Village des Créateurs
Today, the Passage is full of life thanks to this breeding ground for talent. Many events are organized there , whether by the Village des Créateurs itself or by the various resident brands.
A great company 💕
The mission of the Village des Créateurs is to support the economic development of brands of young designers in the region . But the structure does not stop at purely financial support, it also offers its members personalized advice and training . Since 2001, 259 companies have already been supported to carry out their projects sustainably.
Being part of the Village des Créateurs is also a way to interact with a large number of enthusiasts and to facilitate collaborations between creators.
Fashion Talents Contest 🏆
With the same desire to unearth and carry out new projects, the Village des Créateurs has been organizing the Talents de Mode competition since 2007. This competition offers the winners assistance in terms of financing, strategic advice, visibility, as well as various professional opportunities.
This year 2019, four new brands were rewarded for their creations:
- Saï Saï , an ethical and eco-responsible brand in ready-to-wear, won 1st Prize.
- PAG Neckwear , received the Innovation Award for its technical accessories specialized in mountain sports.
- The GAMUT fashion collective received the Jury Prize.
- NJ Cod Paris , a brand of very graphic unisex clothing, won over the public who awarded it its Prize.
Atelier St Eustache and the Village of Creators 🧦
It has now been over a year since this wonderful encounter took place. Having learned about the Talents de Mode Competition organized each year by the Village, Violette decided to participate in 2018. It was a mutual love at first sight. Winner of the Jury Prize, she benefited from support from the Village des Créateurs for a year . This prize also allowed her to obtain a stand at the Première Classe Tuileries trade fair in Paris, to be present on a corner at the Galeries Lafayette in the Lyon Part Dieu Shopping Center, and to participate in an exhibition at the Galerie Joyce in the Palais Royal in Paris.
Exhibition at the Joyce Gallery in the garden of the Palais Royal
And the story between the Village des Créateurs and Atelier St Eustache is not ready to end. We announce it to you in preview, since mid-July we share offices at Passage Thiaffait with Joli Lab , a young brand offering kits for fashion and sewing lovers. We will give you a little visit in a little while!
For more information 📰
If you would like to know more about Village des Créateurs and the different brands they support, you can visit their website and their Instagram account @villagedescreateurs .
If you are interested in the history of the Passage Thiaffait, the article from Patrimoine Lyon and the article from the VDC could teach you more.
And if you want to discover the atmosphere of the Village, their boutique or those of the resident brands, you can go directly to Passage Thiaffait, 19 rue René Leyaud in the first arrondissement of Lyon. All the opening hours of the different places are indicated right here .
Sources :
Village of Creators
Lyon Unesco