Duvelleroy reinstates the art of holding fans

Femininity has much to do with grace. It is not only a matter of a fashionable ensemble but it is also in the attitude of the wearer. Among the most important accessories to express charm, fans can be quite alluring. For many seasons, they seemed to belong to ancient times, relieving ladies who were wearing multiple layers of heavy dresses and could barely breathe. During the last years however, city girls seemed to remember the fantastic advantage of these accessories, even in the Parisian subway. An ancient brand, Duvelleroy is celebrating its revival to make sure that the accessories fit with the latest trends, exactly like in the 19th century, when fans were the ultimate signature piece to adorn an outfit.

Jean-Paul Duvelleroy started crafting beautiful fans in Paris in 1827. His business became very successful, and he established a shop on rue de la Paix, the street near Place Vendôme where all the prestigious Haute Couture houses could be found. Duvelleroy designed the company’s magnificent pieces for the French elite and soon became the official supplier to the queens and most famously Queen Victoria of England.

Duvelleroy’s comeback into the world of fashion

A few years ago, in 2010, two young ladies “knocked on the door” of this prestigious house to wake up the sleeping beauty and, as they put it, “to bring modernity to couture fans, to bring Duvelleroy back”. Partnering with the house’s last heir, they have offered the brand its renaissance. Traditional know-how is still applied to design the modern hand-crafted fans and couture pieces, with the help of a specialized fan-maker. The sophisticated items require not only great designers but also the expertise of embroiderers, pleaters and engravers among other highly skilled craftsmen.

There is no doubt that the two business women, Eloïse Gilles and Raphaëlle de Panafieu, are quintessential visionaries: the collection is splendid, with a fabulous selection of desirable and versatile fans. In Paris, the boudoir-inspired boutique is nested in a lovely neighborhood, only a few steps from the Eiffel Tower. For those who are particularly interested in the splendid history and making of these accessories, Duvelleroy’s archives can be visited upon appointment.

To possess such a piece of art or to offer it when one has no possibility to go to Paris, there are other options, since the ready-to-wear fans can be ordered from their website or purchased worldwide at selected, high-end department stores.

Fans are known to express very secret messages

An interesting history about fans includes the fact that were also used to convey messages from the ladies to their admirers. Depending on how a woman held her fan, she would use a secret language, meaning “follow me”, “I want to see you” and, with the fan fully displayed under her eyes, “I love you”.  More instructions on these and other messages are available on a little video and in pictures on Duvelleroy’s website. Today, probably no one watching a woman with a fan would understand such sophisticated nonverbal communication. However, the beauty of the gesture remains a fascinating source of elegance. And the fans are definitely a fantastic idea for an inspiring gift be it for Valentine’s day or any other lovely occasion. The dilemma being which one among these beautiful Parisian fans will retain your favors?