At 18 rue des Commines is Palmiccio, the home of Christine Palmaccio, a Parisian designer since 1997. Trained at the Chambre syndicale de la haute couture and Aix-Marseille law school, she designs 100% made in France: dresses, skirts, tops, coats, overalls, unique pieces in small series in fabrics from couture houses' stocks and jewelry in gilded or fine brass.
• Can you give us a portrait of yourself as a person and of the professional environment in which you work?
My name is Christine Palmaccio, and for as long as I can remember, I've been creating clothing and jewelry. I made it my profession, almost out of inner necessity: nothing satisfies me more than an idea taking shape, a sketch becoming tangible. Over the years, I've built a carefully chosen ecosystem: cherished friends, reliable collaborators, a small circle that makes studio life and running my business possible.
• What gesture, piece of advice, or phrase from another woman still accompanies you today in difficult times?
My mother, an 89-year-old lady, gave me only one piece of advice about my work: "Never give up!"
• In your field, what are the invisible barriers you still encounter as a woman?
As a woman, I have often been confined to an assigned role, sometimes overtly, sometimes more subtly. I always start with a smile and politeness, but sometimes that's not enough: so, yes, you have to raise your voice, lose your temper to be respected.
The invisible barriers I encounter as a person are those of a heterosexual, middle-aged, normal, and content mother.
When youth fades, I get the impression that many in the creative world think they have to compensate with madness or control freakishness (an excessive control over things and sometimes people) to conform to trendy clichés. That's not my style, and it can make you seem like someone with less personality than others.
• How do you reconcile your personal life with your professional or creative ambitions?
I juggle my personal life and work as best I can. I'm lucky to have a boyfriend who has his own passion and supports me in his own way. That helps me a lot.
I try to do my best every day. When I hear my children humming in the shower, when I see customers leaving with their clothes on their backs, when my business balances at the end of the month, when things are running smoothly, that's enough to make me happy. My biggest frustrations so far are creative; time flies, and there are so many ideas I'd like to develop into so many collections.
• What would you like us to stop asking women… and finally ask men instead?
I wish we would stop asking women to be model size or a size 36. Angelina Jolie or Demi Moore as icons, no thanks!
I would like men to be asked to take care of themselves; in most cases, it stings the eyes.
Many men are very demanding of women: figure, hair, body care. In short, they expect women to take care of themselves while making little to no effort themselves.
• If you could change just one concrete and immediate thing to improve the lives of women in your neighborhood and city, what would it be?
I wish women would no longer be afraid to walk home alone late at night.
• Which young woman or girl in your circle or not gives you hope for the future, and why?
The young women I worked with as interns have grown into incredibly independent young women, much more so than those of my generation. None of them talk about finding "a husband," and I think that's a huge step forward.
Text: Katia Barillot
08.03.26
