From Tananarive to Paris
Nothing initially suggested that Eric Raisina would become one of the leading figures in African and international textile design. As a curious child in Madagascar with a passion for the creative arts, he initially envisioned a career in culinary arts. However, his flair for fashion emerged instinctively at a very early age, driven by a desire to design his own clothes to stand out from the crowd.
After earning his high school diploma, encouraged by his friends and family who recognized his raw talent, he participated in a fashion and textile festival in Antananarivo. To his great surprise, his very first collection won the “Young Talent” award, which came with a scholarship to study in Paris. Admitted that same year to the hotel management school in the Malagasy capital, Eric made the bold decision to fly to France.
Based in Paris, he enrolled in the prestigious École Duperré for a five-year program. During his first year of refresher courses, his professors recognized his exceptional talent for working with materials, colors, and textures. Focusing on textile design rather than fashion design per se, he continued his studies at La Cambre in Belgium, then at the Institut Français de la Mode (IFM) in Paris, where he earned a European Master’s degree in textile design.
“In Paris, I realized that textile design offered me infinite freedom. Being a fashion designer when you have the ability to create your own fabrics from start to finish is an absolute advantage. My brand is built around this philosophy: the fabric comes first; the silhouette and the garment follow.”
The Haute Couture Workshops
During his college years and after graduating, Eric Raisina made a name for himself at France’s leading luxury fashion houses. As a freelance designer and creator of textile mockups, he collaborated with the studios of Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture, notably under the guidance of Loulou de la Falaise and Christian Lacroix.
Naturally, the young designer became the leading ambassador for the natural fibers of his native island in the heart of Paris’s fashion capital. He introduced crocheted Madagascar raffia into Haute Couture collections, notably through a memorable bustier designed for Christian Lacroix.
This immersion in the highest standards of artisanal craftsmanship reaffirmed his conviction: traditional craftsmanship and handcrafted work have a rightful place in the world of ultimate luxury.
The Fusion of Silk and Craftsmanship
While Madagascar remains the beating heart of his inspiration and the source of his favorite raw materials (raffia, sisal, and local silk), it was in Cambodia that Eric Raisina chose to establish his workshop twenty-five years ago.
Discovered in 1996 during a study trip while he was still a student in Paris, Cambodia sparked a true artistic passion in the designer. Fascinated by the centuries-old tradition of silk weaving in the villages around Siem Reap, he completed an internship there in 1998 before deciding to set up his own workshops.
“For me, geography knows no borders. In Cambodia, I found the same resonance and the same artisanal sensibility as in Madagascar. I buy raffia, cotton from Mali, and fibers from my home island, which I bring back to my workshops in Siem Reap to blend them with Asian silks. It’s a true textile fusion.”
“High Texture” and Slow Fashion
Rooted in the philosophy of Slow Fashion, the Eric Raisina brand rejects the frantic pursuit of trends dictated by the industrial calendar. In his studio-boutique in Siem Reap, the designer personally trains his artisans in the complex techniques of hand weaving, plant-based dyeing, embroidery, and crochet.
Each piece is a one-of-a-kind creation or produced in very limited runs. It is not uncommon for her clients to wait several weeks, or even two months, to receive an evening gown or a crocheted, sculpted coat. This wait transforms the act of purchasing into an intimate and exclusive experience, ensuring that the creations are truly timeless.
Eric Raisina’s collection is primarily aimed at women, but also offers custom-made pieces for men, as well as a line of exceptional accessories (silk scarves and flowing fabrics, pouches, and bags).
An intimate, itinerant production
While the workshops in Siem Reap supply five-star hotels in Southeast Asia and an international private clientele, Eric Raisina favors a nomadic distribution model centered on in-person interactions.
Rejecting the rigid model of multiple stores, the designer travels the world to showcase his collections at fashion shows and exclusive pop-up events:
- Immersive pop-ups: Present in person at every pop-up sale (such as the recent Africa Now event at Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann), he assists his customers with their fittings and shares the story behind each fiber.
- Roots in Africa: Deeply committed to the continent’s creative renaissance, Eric Raisina regularly participates in major fashion events in Dakar, Abidjan, and Lagos, celebrating the power of Afro-descendant craftsmanship.
- Trade shows: The brand is preparing for its appearance at the Tranoï trade show in Paris, while finalizing the launch of its official e-commerce platform to meet global demand.
By embodying a humanistic, patient approach to fashion—one that transcends geographical constraints—Eric Raisina demonstrates that true elegance lies in respect for artisans and the poetry of exceptional materials.
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