Etsy shop : https://www.etsy.com/fr/shop/RococoBySonia
Instagram account : https://www.instagram.com/rococobysonia/
Email : sgarneau68@gmail.com
Telephone : +33 6-58-34-64-06
Sonia Garneau is a Hungarian who lived in Paris for 25 years. Now she lives near Nice. She is passionate about historical costumes. She has gone many times to Versailles and Venice for various events including carnivals. Since 2021, she has decided to make her passion her profession.
OJL : Hello Ms. Garneau.
Sonia Garneau : Hello.
OJL : Four quick questions before getting to the heart of the matter.
As you live in La Trinité (near Nice), can you tell us what your favourite café is there ? And what do you like to take there ?
Sonia Garneau : I tend to go to Nice, because I don’t live far away. There are many small cafes on the “Promenade des Anglais”, towards old Nice or on the Cours Saleya. But I don’t have a favourite coffee. It depends on the mood and on the view I want to have. Depending on whether I want to see the rather calm sea or the Cours Saleya market.
As for the consumption, I like to order a Spritz in the summer. Because it is very refreshing in this very sunny region.
OJL : And what is your favourite park or place ?
Sonia Garneau : For me, the most beautiful place, the one where I like to walk, is Villefranche-sur-mer. Her old town and her beaches. It is magnificent. Relaxing. Timeless.
OJL : Next, what was the last book you read? And the last song you listened to?
Sonia Garneau :_Regarding to the book : “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen. It is a very romantic book. Very English. Very vintage. It transports me to another world…
_Regarding to the song : at the moment, I’m listening to the best songs of Billie Eilish. It helps me to focus.
OJL : Finally, do you have a quote and/or proverb that you like?
Sonia Garneau : “Do it or don’t do it. There is no attempt” by Master Yoda from the Star Wars saga (laughs).
OJL : Let’s talk a little about you now. How could you introduce yourself ?
Sonia Garneau : I am the mother of three children. Two are adults and the last one practices figure skating as a sport study. I speak 4 languages (Hungarian, French, English and Russian). I have some quite cosmopolitan tastes. I have a curious mind, which is interested in many things. So I like meeting new people or discovering new things regularly. I am also very creative, hence my passion for costumes and sewing, which allow me to flourish satisfactorily.
OJL : Who are the artists who shaped you ? Who struck you down ?
Sonia Garneau : Michelangelo mainly. Because he is a person who did painting and sculpture at a high level. On each of my trips to Italy, I try to see some works of him.
OJL : Let’s talk a little about your work now. What are you creating ?
Sonia Garneau : I make period costumes and accessories like hats and bags. I use authentic patterns but I like to add a little touch of fantasy.
OJL : How can you define your style ?
Sonia Garneau : Modern Rococo. That is to say, I explain to my customers that “I try to offer some outfits that would please Marie-Antoinette in the current era”. This allows us to have period outfits with the touches of modernity necessary to take them through time.
OJL : What techniques do you use ?
Sonia Garneau : Although I use the sewing machine to save some time, it must be said that I sew a lot by hand. Especially the embroidery. I can also paint the fabrics depending on the work to be done. I don’t count the hours and everything is done diligently.
OJL : Can we place you a personalized order ?
Sonia Garneau : Of course. I pretty much only do that. Ready-to-wear is quite rare on my creations.
OJL : Do you have an anecdote about the creation of one of your products ? Or one of your sales ?
Sonia Garneau : Recently, I was able to acquire some haute couture lace through a friend who works in the industry. I can’t wait to use them (smile).
OJL: Last question. You definitely have friends who are doing amazing things ! If you want to promote them a little, now is the time !
Sonia Garneau : I would like to particularly highlight one of my friends : Stefania Johan C. She creates period jewelry and chatelaines.
Here is her account on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marquise_de_venise/
I have already had the pleasure of working with her on some of my dresses.
OJL: Bravo for what you do. May Our Lady protects you.
Sonia Garneau : Thank you.
Alpha Centauri
