Louis Barthélemy is an illustrator, textile designer and artist whose work is based on a deep commitment to the preservation and revival of traditional crafts.
For our holiday collaboration, Louis showcased the central role that hair care has played in our daily lives since ancient times with a sprawling three-panel tapestry. The whimsical narrative in Eternal Rituals visualizes hair care rituals dating back thousands of years, beginning with an exalted deity whose hair flows upward like the life-giving Nile. Under the watchful eye of the god Horus, the flowing locks of mythical Egyptian gods and goddesses are groomed and braided, surrounded by lush flora and fauna, all with playful nods to Oribe.
To further honor the craftsmanship, Oribe commissioned Louis, along with a team of artists at the Kahhal Looms outside Cairo, to create a unique kilim, or handwoven tapestry, of the artwork.
