Elsa, a Provençal lavender braider
HISTORY
In the 18th century, Provence became a major producer of lavandin to supply the perfumers of Grasse.
On summer evenings, the women learn to pick the stems, turn them inside out to trap the flowers’ fragrance, and weave them together with recycled linen ribbon.
The lavender spindle was born.
It keeps moths away, makes closets smell nice, and holds the promise of happiness for young couples.
The work is seasonal and domestic, never commercial. The stalks are processed on the very day they are harvested, while they are still fresh.
Elsa learned how to make lavender spindles by watching her mother and grandmother. At a very young age, she began selling her creations at markets. Today, growing her own lavandin, she is the only producer of lavender spindles in Provence. As part of the Social and Solidarity Economy, her business focuses on training and employing incarcerated individuals and sells up to 3,000 lavender spindles per year to both individuals and businesses.
Life in Purple.
