The tricks of the trade with the Apprentis d'Auteuil — edition #1

A few months ago, we decided to create a brand new project: sharing our tricks of the trade. With the help of an exceptional chef, a handful of apprentices will have the chance to share a unique gastronomic moment.

Every month, HABILE will be proud to invite a great name in cuisine to share their experience, their tips and their tricks of the trade with young people in training. A unique menu will be created for the occasion. 20 covers and not one more will have the chance to experience what promises to be an exceptional evening.

To kick things off, we had the pleasure of welcoming Monsieur Jacques Génin — a great pastry chef, and in our eyes the finest chocolatier in Paris. This remarkable man shared his tricks of the trade with two lucky young people from the Apprentis d'Auteuil, during the first edition, on Wednesday 23 November.

A moment filled with emotion. The young apprentices had the chance to cook alongside our guest chef, preparing his famous lemon tart recipe.

Monsieur Génin's boundless generosity, along with his immense talent, made this encounter truly memorable.

Thank you, Monsieur Génin — what a remarkable man!

We are very proud, and almost moved, to see this edition finally come to life. We have many projects, but this one is among those that make our hearts beat a little faster.

The 2nd edition is planned for Thursday 1st December. Alexia Duchêne will share her tricks of the trade with the young apprentices during an exceptional evening! Our guest is a chef we admire enormously.

Reservations are openhere!

HABILE is the meeting of a chef and a stylist. But above all, HABILE is the conviction that there is another way of doing things. Let us tell you the story!

Eric trained at a classic hospitality and catering school — a choice that surprised everyone. Young Fontanini had been set on a scientific path. A summer job under the Sardinian sun changed all that. He went on to hone his skills in the brigades of Guy Savoy and Alain Ducasse. His time abroad — San Francisco, Los Angeles, Ibiza, Uruguay — made him who he is.

Camille was always drawn to the world of fashion. Despite many attempts to discourage her, she made it into a fashion school in Paris. The haute couture studios and ateliers of Marc Jacobs in New York and Alexander McQueen in London forged her determination. Years in ready-to-wear completed her training as a true all-rounder.

What did we learn through all those years? That you have to do, undo and redo — never settling. The mentors we met along the way shared their love of the craft, their experience, their failures and their victories.

And that is where the story truly began. Because without them, HABILE would not be HABILE.

When we created this project, the idea of sharing was essential to who we are. We wanted to grow with an association by our side. And we chose the Apprentis d'Auteuil. Every year, they support more than 36,000 vulnerable young people and families. Through its reception, education, training and integration programmes in France and abroad, the foundation helps them stand on their own two feet. This support is delivered through hands-on training. And hands-on — that's something we know a thing or two about!

Our first collaborative event took place on 17 January 2019. In the heart of Men's Fashion Week, we took on the challenge of blending fashion, artistic performance and a good cause. During an exceptional charity evening, illustrator Camille de Cussac delivered a live performance in the heart of the Marais. The talented artist let her inspiration run free, drawing on bandanas live and in a very limited series. These bandanas were all the more special for having been made by apprentice seamstresses from Clamart, under the supervision of Camille Andrieux, co-founder of HABILE.

SKOLA was our second collaboration with the Apprentis d'Auteuil. This programme is the "last mile before employment". Over many editions, we entrusted our clothing collection to young people in training so they could immerse themselves in the real conditions of the retail sector. What a source of pride for them to be involved as sales representatives for our brand. These editions were always a success, with a great many young people going on to earn their diploma.

Sharing is Caring! And we care a lot!