She Said "Yes" to the Dresses

Featuring Marie-Sophie Boulanger

Her work caught the attention of Parisian wedding fair planners!

Back in April, a Working Parent Story called Paris in the Springtime highlighted Parisian working parent, Marie-Sophie Boulanger. She is currently in the midst of a professional transformation which is both interesting and inspirational.

Marie-Sophie spent the first 25 years of her career as a journalist. She then shifted her focus to capitalize on her creativity by painting on silk scarves and teaching others to do it via DIY workshops. During one particular period, she was inspired to paint on a silk wedding dress, enter it in a contest, and ... she won a prize! After posting photos and describing the experience on social media, her work caught the attention of some wedding fair planners who invited her exhibit her dresses at an upcoming fair in Paris. 

Having only painted one dress at that point, Marie-Sophie improvised! She quickly found a very talented stylist, Valérie Guilbert, and overnight, with Valérie sewing and Marie-Sophie painting, they formed Ermance et Marie and produced four dresses in time for the show, Salon du Mariage, which was held in September at the Parc des Expositions at Paris Porte de Versailles.

Marie-Sophie commented that this opportunity occurred because of social media, and this is one of the reasons we love the Internet; it enables each of us to connect with others who share our interests to make the world a better place.

Many (like journalists) have experienced the career uncertaintainty that comes with shifting market demands. Some, like Marie-Sophie Boulanger, a working parent, remind us that change is not only possible, but very often it provides an opportunity for growth and great fulfillement.

To see more of these one-of-a-kind custom-designed dresses (or to schedule an appointment), visit the Ermance et Marie web site.

Marie-Sophie Boulanger is a mother, artist and former journalist. You can visit her dress web site, her scarf web site, follow her on Instagram, review her Airbnb experience, and find her book on Amazon.com.