French creators and manufacturers of hairbrushes for six generations, we perpetuate the tradition of the brushmaker's trade thanks to our ancestral know-how and respect for the highest standards of excellence.
In 2022, with Altesse Studio , the art of hair care enters a new era, that of brushing.
A look back at a history of transmission, passion and French excellence that has always placed the brush, an everyday object, at the center of beauty routines.
Creation of brushmaking Fournival in the heart of the Thérain Valley (Picardy), the cradle of French brushmaking by the first generation represented by great-grandfather Léon Etienne FOURNIVAL. In its early days, the Maison Fournival Altesse made toothbrushes from ox and horse femur bone, or even ivory.
Specializing in
high-end and luxury hairbrushes. Our expertise is embodied in a collection of brushes entirely handcrafted and assembled in the purest brushing tradition.
After learning his trade from his father and grandfather, André Jean FOURNIVAL, the 3rd generation to head the company, created the ALTESSE brand. Like haute-couture creations, our hairbrushes are distinguished by their high quality, and are distributed to hairdressing wholesalers and perfumeries in Paris.
François André FOURNIVAL, joins the family business and represents the 4th generation of artisan brushmakers. He perpetuates and promotes the ancestral know-how of hairbrush by developing private label production for the big names in the world of hairdressing and beauty.
Mr. Jacques GAILLARD, himself a brushmaker's grandson and former manager of La Brosse et Dupont, bought the company, which had gone into receivership, in order to safeguard the last French hairbrush manufacturer and its ancestral know-how. In 2016, his daughter Julia TISSOT-GAILLARD took over, becoming the 6th generation of brushmakers to perpetuate a unique tradition and know-how, while focusing on innovation.
Recognition of our exceptional expertise by the French government with the "Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (EPV)" label. This label rewards the excellence of French know-how, and in Fournival's case Altesse, our traditional brushmaking expertise.
The French group Chargeurs, world leader in niche markets, is looking to move into personal care and lifestyle products by acquiring companies with exceptional know-how. Their first acquisition is FOURNIVAL ALTESSE , with the ambition of giving it the means to expand its reputation in France and internationally.
Fournival Altesse becomes ALTESSE STUDIO . Our ambition: to become the world leader in hairbrush. We take our expertise one step further, creating tailor-made products with unrivalled performance to offer the very best to all hair types. Make way for a hair routine that combines performance and naturalness. Choosing hairbrush Altesse Studio means choosing a French quality brush, one that improves hair quality.
