The Col Chemise, inspired by the elegance of the traditional men’s shirt, embodies quiet sophistication. Flat, narrow, and feather-light, this detachable collar drapes with understated ease, lending a touch of tailored precision to women’s fashion. Minimal yet refined, it embodies the effortless grace of simplicity, a detail that whispers of timeless style.

Col Chemiser

Duration: 9 weeks

Mentor: Veronique Thenron and Christelle Santa Baebara

Facilitator at Les Atelier Alix

Skill Set: Sleeves, Col Chemiser, Col Officier, Col Claudin Pattern making, Couture Tailleur technique, Flou button hole, Hand stitching, Crêpe’s drape and handling, Satin drape and handling

Project: Academic project

Model: Mansi Arora

For a tailored finish, the lower yoke is delicately hand-attached to the back panel, while the armhole is set with the same meticulous care and finished in matching fabric. The collar is sculpted in whisper-light satin, its fluid surface catching the light with a subtle lustre. Beneath its softness, a layer of organza is seamlessly attached at the back, lending quiet structure and refined stability. Luxurious yet weightless, the interplay of satin and organza creates a harmony of grace and precision, where delicacy meets architecture.

Col claudin

The Col Claudine, with its softly rounded edges that rest just above the neckline, brings an air of innocence and refinement in equal measure. Immortalised in Colette’s 1900 novel Claudine à l’école, where it adorned the heroine’s school attire, this collar has since transcended time to become a symbol of youthful elegance. Whether gracing blouses, dresses, or tailored coats, the Claudine collar imparts a delicate charm that is at once feminine, preppy, and timelessly chic, echoing both vintage romance and contemporary elegance.

The whisper-soft texture of crêpe lends an air of effortless elegance, carrying the piece seamlessly from sunlit days to candlelit evenings. At the collar and along the centre front, sheer organza is quietly at work, imparting subtle strength and a gentle architecture. The result is a silhouette that feels both ethereal and composed, luxurious in its ease, yet refined in its structure.

Details

Button hole

Buttonhole is made by hand, and the collar is attached by hand.

Bias

The finishing of the collar is done with bias and attached with hand.

Sur Fil

There are two distinct methods used to finish the garment: Orgonza and Pico.

Organza is used in the front to give the structure.

Organza