Louis Barthélemy

Biography

Louis Barthélemy is an artist and designer based between Marrakech, Cairo, and Paris. His work is deeply rooted in the preservation and revitalization of traditional crafts, which face increasing threats from globalization. Barthélemy collaborates with artisans in Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Benin, Lebanon, and Syria, helping to sustain and celebrate these time-honored techniques. Egypt, in particular, plays a central role in his practice as the primary location where his tapestries are produced. Growing up in London, Barthélemy nurtured a profound fascination with cultural heritage, influenced by encounters with samurai armor at the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Egyptian collection at the British Museum. He later studied fashion design at Central Saint Martins and began his career at Dior before collaborating with brands such as Salvatore Ferragamo and Gucci. Since establishing himself in Marrakech, Barthélemy has continued to forge strong ties with craftspeople across these regions, integrating their expertise into his artistic practice to celebrate and preserve cultural craftsmanship.