Meet Anaïs: from apprenticeship to sharing the passion behind Altesse Studio

For more than ten years, Anaïs has been part of the Altesse Studio journey, where she has nurtured her passion for communication, marketing, and above all the unique world of French brushmaking. A key contributor to the development of the brand, she shares her story, her deep attachment to artisanal craftsmanship, and her admiration for the artisans who create our brushes. Through her words, one can feel the love of the craft, the pride of a rare heritage, and the desire to share the spirit of the brand with the world.

At 32, you’ve been with Altesse for 10 years. Can you tell us about your journey?

I joined Altesse while completing my bachelor’s degree in marketing communication, initially for a one-year apprenticeship. During that year, one of our colleagues in the sales administration department retired. Since I was already immersed in the company and familiar with how it worked, I was offered the opportunity to replace her.

That position became my first permanent contract, and for five years I managed our B2B clients. Later on, we launched our first online store, which I was responsible for managing. Over the years my role gradually evolved toward communication and marketing.

Then came the launch of the Altesse Studio brand, a real turning point for the company and a project I had the opportunity to help bring to life. I was involved from the early development stages through to the launch of the collections and their introduction on our e-boutique.

Today, I oversee communication, merchandising, and retail activities when we organize promotional actions, events, fair... I also coordinate events such as trade shows and pop-ups, and work closely with our various partners and service providers.

It’s a very diverse role, which makes it incredibly interesting. Seeing the result of our work – from the brushes being crafted in the workshop to their presence in stores – is truly amazing and deeply rewarding.

What are your first and best memories at Altesse Studio?

Two memories really marked my arrival.

The first is the human aspect. Discovering the world of brushmaking and this close-knit family of brushmakers was a real privilege. Everyone knows each other, and people genuinely care for one another.

The second is discovering the incredible precision and craftsmanship behind a single hairbrush. Ten years ago, I knew nothing about this universe. Today I understand what it means to create a boar bristle brush in wood. Beyond being a high-quality tool, it represents a true savoir-faire – the legacy of a craft, an art.

How would you describe the artisans’ savoir-faire, their dedication, passion, and expertise?

If I had to summarize it in one word, it would be exceptional – and that’s not an exaggeration.

Their craftsmanship and passion are simply incredible. Having spent so many years immersed in the company, I’ve been able to see just how remarkable their adaptability and versatility are. It requires great manual skill, of course, but what impresses me most is how this knowledge is passed on to new artisans.

They have a remarkable sensitivity and attention to detail, and they share their expertise with genuine passion. The precision of their gestures, their knowledge, and their love for the craft are truly fascinating.

Do you have a memorable anecdote involving the artisans?

Yes. I often accompany Véronique and Stéphanie – who, among other things, hand-assemble the brushes from the Prestige collection in our workshops – to trade shows and events where they perform live demonstrations.

It’s magical to share these moments with them.

Watching them sew each tuft by hand in front of visitors really shows that this is an art. People are often amazed by the craftsmanship. They sometimes spend several minutes observing their gestures and congratulating them for the “gold in their hands.”

What touches me most is their humility. They often say to me:
"It’s incredible that people are so interested in watching us work. I never thought my work would fascinate people this much."

How do you highlight their work in the brand’s communication? 

Whenever possible, we try to showcase both the artisans and their work. This happens during events, but also through portraits featured on our website or interviews (presse, TV).

All of our artisans deserve to be highlighted because without their hands and their savoir-faire, these brushes simply wouldn’t exist. It’s thanks to them that we are able to create such beautiful products. They are the heart and the soul of our hairbrushes.

We also produce many photos and videos used across our communication platforms – from social media to media content and retail displays. Their work has a strong sensory dimension, and these visuals help convey that feeling while also contributing to the transmission of their craftsmanship.

Is there a technique or production step that always fascinates you?

Two steps in particular stand out to me: tufting and counter-drilling.

Both are manual processes that require very specific technical expertise. Mastering them takes years of experience and exceptional dexterity. But there’s also a part of instinct involved.

Watching our artisans perform these techniques is truly impressive.

What do you think is the most misunderstood aspect of how Altesse Studio brushes are made?

The number of steps involved : Creating an Altesse Studio brush requires 22 different stages. Our brushes are crafted with incredible attention to detail.

There are also many specific techniques involved in tufting – whether it’s done by hand or mechanically. This is where the expertise of the brushmaker truly becomes visible.

Of course, the quality of the boar bristles is essential, but so is the way they are assembled and used. Every technique is designed to ensure the highest standards of brushing quality and performance. Nothing is done randomly – everything reflects our expertise.

Altesse Studio holds the “Living Heritage Company” label. What are the biggest communication challenges for a heritage brand like yours?

The biggest challenge is ensuring that this ancestral craftsmanship continues to live on – both within the company and in the way we share it with the public. It’s important to reveal the manual work behind our brushes. At first glance they may seem like simple everyday objects, but they are much more than that. They are an art.

France is a country deeply rooted in tradition, and it is truly meaningful to be part of the few remaining companies preserving such exceptional know-how. We want people to understand everything that lies behind an Altesse Studio brush. In a way, it’s similar to haute couture: just as a great fashion designer highlights the work of seamstresses and their creations, we want to showcase the artistry of French brushmaking.

You are at the heart of the brand’s communication. What message do you most want to convey?

Passion.

It’s the word that brings everything together – the passion of our artisans, the passion embedded in the products, and the passion that our customers feel when they discover them.

Is there a project you are particularly proud of?

It may sound a bit obvious, but the entire Altesse Studio project since its creation.

It inspires my work every day. I want to introduce our world to more people, highlight our products, and continue to elevate them.

What does the French art of hair brushing mean to you?

Unfortunately, I think we have somewhat lost this tradition in our daily routines – but it’s coming back.

Just like in gastronomy, the French art of brushing your hair is about taking the time to appreciate good things. It’s about taking a moment for yourself, brushing your hair with a beautiful object, and enjoying that ritual.

France has long been a country of brushmakers, and our region was historically one of the cradles of this craft. So brushing your hair is also about honoring tradition.

What is your favorite brush from the Altesse Studio collection?

The Care & Shine brush from the Beauté Collection. I love it because the wood is kept in its purest state, and it’s a pneumatic brush, which perfectly suits my brushing habits.

Although I must admit that my heart also leans toward the 100% handmade brush from the Prestige Collection.

If you could gift an Altesse brush to someone, who would it be?

I would give one to a French actress I admire a lot: Audrey Fleurot. She has such magnificent hair, and I can easily imagine her brushing it with one of our brushes.

How does it feel to see your brushes exported to New York?

It’s incredibly rewarding and quite extraordinary to see how much interest our retailers have in these beautiful products and in French craftsmanship.

They understand our attachment to beautiful objects and to the highest standards of excellence and quality – values that truly define the brand.

It always brings us great joy to see that we are able to share this passion all around the world.