Delicate as her embroidery and harmonious as its colors, Nadia Gribaa evolves in the medina of Tunis, in its show room of the Street of Dar El Jeld, a few steps from the famous restaurant of the same name. When she is not on the roads checking her baskets of Gabes, her “chabka” of Raf Raf or her “hayek” of Kairouan, she draws her embroideries and imagines herself full of stories about her country, Its origin, its symbols, its artisans, … By Amel DJAIT
After a career in France in the accessory, notably at Balenciaga and Ted Lapidus, Nadia Gribba returned to Tunisia and worked a few years in linen and then the board, especially for the prestigious boutique El Hanout. The young woman then decides to create her brand; Art thread. Why thread? Because she is the conductor of her life and when she mixes sequins, silks, lace … She puts all her art there.
“Fil d’Art” is a 100% handmade line of women’s accessories based on embroidery inspired by Tunisian heritage. Nadia Gribaa explains her approach: “I explore a motif, decortic and reconstruct it by putting my touches, colors and materials. I put on the trend and stick to trends while respecting and collaborating continuously with the thirty craftsmen who have worked with me since the beginning of my adventure. It specifies that beyond a pouch or a basket of its brand, “Fil d’Art”, there is work, research materials, assemblages, samples, movements, creation …
For Nadia Gribaa, her footprints are her shell, inspired by the Berber heritage, and her khomssa.
The latter is “embossed with multicolored handles. The beautiful finishes, the choice of colors, the perfect basketry, the pompons sign my creations. The materials are
Natural and noble as flax, cotton, hayak. I never use synthetic materials, ” says the young woman.
For several years now, “Fil d’Art” has been participating in major trade fairs and events in Tunisia, including the famous Craft Fair where Nadia Gribaa’s first participation has aroused a real enthusiasm.
The company now exports in confidential quantities in Spain, Dubai, Algeria and France. With two collections per year, “Fil d’Art” manages to attract the attention of several blinds concepts and even to work for Nathalie Garcon.
In Tunisia, the times are difficult and the bad economic situation lasts. Unfair competition, broken or inflated prices end up marginalizing the market and weary the customer, even loyal. Nadia Gribaa explains: “I worked with quality hotels like” La Badira “or the restaurant and cultural center” El Ali “, but that is not enough. The Tunisian market is too small. Efforts are not enough. Even when we participate in the Trade Shows abroad of the National Office of Handicraft (ONA), we are somewhat dropped. When we see Morocco and mobilization for their craft, tourism, lifestyle identity … We say there is still a lot of effort to make for export and crafts Made in Tunisia.
When I leave Nadia Gribba, she is putting up her new linen tunics embroidered in pearl, raw, ivory, water green …
Straw hats and baskets beautifully paraphrase its elegant silhouettes and outfits. When she hangs one of the pockets, which has caught my attention with some Berber motifs like the tree of life, a shell, a khomssa, symbols of happiness, fertility, health and prosperity, a pretty head embroidered young woman Attracts my attention. I ask her who is this little head with braids and eyes full of malice and dreams? She answers me: “Me!”
I leave leaving Nadia Gribaa to her embroidery, weaving, threads of silk, linen, cotton and wool. I say to myself that she must surely dream to conquer the world and to expose the art of living and the elegance of Tunisia. Good luck!
For Further informtion:
Art Thread : 14 rue Dar El Jeld
Tel : 216 98 365 240
Mail : nadiagribaa@yahoo.fr
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