François Lesage (March 31, 1929 - December 1, 2011) was a French embroidery designer and heir to the embroidery atelier, Maison Lesage.[1][2][3][4] Lesage was a Chevalier of the Legion d'Honneur.[1]
Lesage was born in Chaville, France, on March 31, 1929.[2]
Lesage inherited the Maison Lesage, which was bought by his father, Albert Lesage, in 1924.[2] He became well known for his embroidery work throughout the French high fashion houses in Paris.[1] Lesage shepherded the business throughout the late 20th Century, at a time when many other traditional embroidery houses in France disappeared.[1] Under Lesage, the House collaborated with new, well known fashion clients, including Givenchy, Christian Lacroix, Balenciaga and Dior.[1] Lesage partnered with many of the era's best known fashion designers, including Elsa Schiaparelli and Vionnet.[1]
François Lesage sold the Maison Lesage to Chanel in 2002. Chanel had begun its acquisition of many of Paris' top petites mains in a bid to ensure their continued survival in a changing fashion industry.[1]
Lesage was awarded the Maître d'Art from the French Ministry of Culture in November 2011, just one week before his death.[2] At the time, Minister of Culture Frédéric Mitterrand said, "I cannot imagine fashion without embroidery, embroidery without Monsieur Lesage."[2]
Francois Lesage died at a Paris hospital on December 1, 2011, at the age of 82.[2] He was survived by his wife and four children.[3]