Patou Saint Germain at the Salon du Chocolat: a collaboration with Laurent Gerbaud under the sign of gluttony
The launch of a brand new collection by edition Patou Saint Germain and the recent election of Laurent Gerbaud as Brussels Chocolatier of the Year by the gastronomic guide Gault & Millau is an opportunity for us to look back on their inspiring collaboration. Begun in 2015 on the occasion of the second of the Salon du Chocolat in Brussels, it led to the creation of six magnificent outfits combining the inventiveness and know-how of the two designers.
Each edition, the chocolate dress parade is one of the highlights of the Salon. The confections unveiled there are the result of a close collaboration between designers and chocolate makers. For both of them, the event is an open door to creation and a great opportunity to bring together two artistic universes that rarely have the opportunity to meet.
Each edition, the chocolate dress parade is one of the highlights of the Salon. The confections unveiled there are the result of a close collaboration between designers and chocolate makers. For both of them, the event is an open door to creation and a great opportunity to bring together two artistic universes that rarely have the opportunity to meet.
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Patou Saint Germain x Laurent Gerbaud
2nd edition of the Salon du Chocolat in Brussels (2015)
Four years later, in February 2019, the duo proposes two sublime creations inspired by the theme of origins. An asymmetrical faux-leather jacket and fitted sarouel-effect pants for him, a bustier and a cotton satin umbrella skirt for her. On both outfits, the chocolate finishes suggest the cells created by bees to store their honey. With their imposing wings symbolizing flight, these Adam and Eve of an evening have undeniably marked the minds of spectators and the media.
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Patou Saint Germain x Laurent Gerbaud,6th edition of the Salon du Chocolat in Brussels (2019)
Of course, the elaboration of the dresses does not go without posing a certain number of technical challenges to their creators, especially when it comes to integrating the weight of the chocolates into the outfits. For Patou Saint Germain, this challenge is coupled with another essential concern. Indeed, at a time when waste is unfortunately too frequent, she makes it a point of honor to create without wasting. Also, the clothes are designed to be worn independently of the chocolate additions, and these are made in such a way that they can be easily recovered and consumed without any trouble.
I have thought of lots of tricks so that the chocolate can be recovered so that it can be distributed among us, among friends, or to the needy via organizations: yes we do festive things, but we stay connected to reality.
Questioned about her participation in the Salon du Chocolat, Patou Saint Germain gives a more than positive assessment of this experience:
Until the last minute, it wasn’t a restful experience! But it was a beautiful emulation and great moments every time. It was beautiful emotions, beautiful exchanges, beautiful encounters…
To our great pleasure, she would gladly participate again!
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Patou Saint Germain x Laurent Gerbaud – 3rd edition of the Salon du Chocolat in Brussels (2016)
Bustier and skirt in cotton satin with small bias of transparent elastics to catch the beggars. The corolla skirt and the transparent elastics are close to the forms of glass jars and remind us of the universe of the old confectionery
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Patou Saint Germain x Laurent Gerbaud – 4th edition of the Salon du Chocolat in Brussels (2017)
Bustier with flap and basques. Skirt with umbrella type cutouts. The quality of burgundy red taffeta decorated with chocolate bar medallions plunges us into a Japanese universe.
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Patou Saint Germain x Laurent Gerbaud – 5th edition of the Salon du Chocolat in Brussels (2018)
The Calamity Jane of modern times, with its ammunition belts loaded with red chocolate hearts mounted on lollipop sticks. The bustier and open skirt over leggings are made of jeans. Brown faux leather laced gaiters complete the outfit.