Former Chanel petite main launches her own accessories label, spotted in Emily in Paris
Walking away from an iconic fashion house like Chanel to start from scratch: that is the bold bet Catherine Osti took when she launched her own luxury accessories brand after years spent as a seamstress at the legendary maison.
From the Chanel atelier to independent creation
For years, Catherine Osti honed her craft inside the ateliers of Chanel, mastering the precise, uncompromising gestures of haute couture. Then, one day, she decided to walk away. That radical choice marked the beginning of an entrepreneurial adventure driven by a single conviction: to create on her own terms, with her own hands.
Because it is through sewing that Catherine Osti brings her pieces to life. Cuffs, bows: every item is born from an artisanal know-how acquired at one of the most demanding houses in the world. In leaving Chanel, she did not abandon excellence, she reinvented it in her own image.
Accessories born from gesture, not machinery
Catherine Osti’s approach rests on one fundamental act: sewing. That is no small detail. In a luxury sector so often dominated by large conglomerates, she chooses to stay as close as possible to the artisanal gesture. Her cuffs and bows bear the direct imprint of her hands.
This singular positioning gives her brand a strong identity. Each accessory becomes a piece in its own right, conceived and crafted with the rigour inherited from her time at Chanel. This artisanal approach also resonates with a growing public appetite for authentic, traceable creations.
Emily in Paris, the visibility turning point
Catherine Osti’s talent eventually found its way beyond the walls of her studio. Her creations appeared in the series Emily in Paris, opening the door to a far wider audience. For an independent brand, that kind of exposure is a considerable lever.
A hit series broadcast internationally can transform a designer’s profile overnight. For Catherine Osti, seeing her accessories worn on screen represents a tangible recognition of her work. Her journey illustrates how a savoir-faire forged at Chanel can, once channelled into a personal project, find an unexpected echo with a global audience.
A journey told in Trajectoire
Catherine Osti’s story is brought to light in the programme Trajectoire, broadcast on Ici Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. The format, dedicated to inspiring career paths, shows how a courageous professional reinvention can lead to both artistic and commercial success.
Her story resonates especially with anyone considering leaving a stable position at a major house to strike out alone. Because Catherine Osti did not simply change jobs: she changed her life. Her example demonstrates that the skills acquired within a structure like Chanel can become the foundation of an entirely personal project, provided you dare to take that first step.
Her journey, from petite main to recognised designer, is a reminder that luxury can also be built on the scale of a single atelier, one cuff and one bow at a time.
