À la Couture Éclair celebrated its 20th anniversary
Toulon sewing workshop À la Couture Éclair celebrated twenty years of service for residents and professionals.
Located in the heart of Toulon, Annick Tortorici turned her passion for sewing into a loyal and recognized business. She celebrated twenty years of activity on October 2.
Twenty years after opening, « À la Couture Éclair » is a familiar spot for Toulon residents, offering alterations, sewing, ironing, as well as upholstery and leather work—rare services in the area.
Originally from Northern France, its founder arrived in Toulon in 1979. She first worked in a local alteration shop before starting her own business in 2006 to work her own way. Her clientele remained loyal: "Clients saw that it wasn't the same work, they followed me."
From motorcycle leather to boat cushions
Her first premises were tiny, but word of mouth did its work and the workshop quickly became too small. She then moved to place des Halles, into a shop that allowed her to hire staff.
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Without any sewing diploma, coming from a large family, Annick Tortorici left school very early and learned everything on her own by taking clothes apart and putting them back together. "I love it!" exclaims the seamstress, who now claims there is nothing she doesn't know how to do.
In the workshop, she hems, adjusts sizes, or transforms garments. She also offers custom-made items, reproducing models or creating her own. Her specialty remains leather: repairing zippers, shortening sleeves, or working on thick items like motorcycle jackets. She claims to be the only one doing this in the neighborhood.
In the summer, her business turns outdoors, crafting gazebos, garden and boat cushions, as well as soft furnishings.
A refuge after grief
For Annick, sewing goes beyond a simple profession. Since her husband passed away, it has been "a refuge." In the evening at home, she sits at her machine to sew for herself or friends. When troubles arise, she immerses herself in it and forgets everything: "It's better than pills!" she confides.
To mark the anniversary, she organized an evening shared with a friend who was celebrating the 65th anniversary of her bar located right next door. Many customers and elected officials from the city hall were present to salute two long-established businesses.
Please note
À la Couture Éclair12 place Vincent Raspail – Toulon04 94 15 44 65
Article from the print edition of La Gazette du Var