High Life

HIGH LIFE #14 Nov 2017 35 “My clients are those looking for pure quality. They don’t need to have a big logo to show they are part of a certain society – they are over that. They don’t have to prove anything to anyone, but are looking instead for something unique and pure in quality. That’s why they come to me.” The attraction is obvious – French craftsmanship is in D’AUCHEL’s blood. Mr Dauchez is a descendent of a French noble family dating back to the 13th century. He grew up playing amongst majestic French gilt armor, hand-woven artistic tapestries and elaborately carved period wood furniture, which led him to develop an exquisite eye for the details of luxury. “Everything you see around here is from France,” he explains, “the leather, the thread, the glue, but most importantly, all our artisans are French.” D’AUCHEL hires only artisans trained in traditional techniques at the Compagnons du Devoirs – a French apprentice training organization from the Middle Ages where master craftsmen and artisans train apprentices in a craft – and who have spent another 10 years at a high-end atelier. Each bag is made by one individual artisan from beginning to end, entirely by hand, and takes between two weeks and a month to complete after the order is placed. At most, only four bags can be made each month with the price ranging from around HK$40,000 to HK$300,000 depending on style, leather and color. Be sure to check the waiting list! True haute couture with personalized experience is another attraction at D’AUCHEL. Customers are encouraged to meet and interact with the artisans before they order their item.