A Walk Through Paris and Into the Heart of Charlotte Sy Dimby
In the quiet streets just beyond Saint-Germain-des-Prés stands a small Parisian treasure, the boutique L’Île aux Fées, home to Charlotte Sy Dimby. Known for its exquisite hand-smocked dresses, each created by the gifted hands of Madame Monique, the atelier has preserved a level of craftsmanship rarely found in the modern world.
On my recent trip to Paris, I had the privilege of spending time inside their world, a world shaped by intention, artistry, and a devotion to childhood elegance that feels both timeless and deeply meaningful. What touched me most wasn’t only the beauty of the dresses, but the heart behind them: Monique, whose hands transform fabric into poetry and Charlotte, who stewards the brand with grace and purpose.
Victoria wears the Belle Epoque Dress by Charlotte Sy Dimby paired with our Belle Epoque Bow, a perfect harmony of vintage charm and contemporary grace in premium lace and velvet.
Capturing this Parisian aesthetic meant collaborating with artisans who share our commitment to beauty and craftsmanship—from the exquisite cookies by Sugar Coat Paris and Annouchka Beguin to every carefully styled detail.
In this interview, Charlotte shares the story of the brand, the heritage of French smocking, and the quiet strength behind maintaining an artisan-led brand in a fast-fashion world.
1. The brand has such a distinctive soul. How did Charlotte Sy Dimby begin, and how did Monique step into her role as the designer?
Our brand was founded by our talented designer Monique Ramahay, now 77y and affectionally nicknamed the "Queen of Smocks". The brand emerged from her deep desire to preserve a disappearing art form while celebrating childhood magic. Bringing together her native Madagascan heritage and French upbringing in every creation, her journey began with collaborations with prestigious brands like Bonpoint, where she created pieces that dressed royalty, including Princess Charlotte of Monaco. She then opened her very own boutique L’Ile aux Fées in Paris and up to this day, she is still the one imagining each and every design. Working as a team, our collections are then lovingly crafted with the help of our skilled members in our very own atelier.
2. For readers new to smocking, how would you describe its history and significance in French children's couture?
Smocking originated as a practical embroidery technique in 18th century England, where it adorned the work blouses of British peasants and farmers, allowing fabric to gather while maintaining elasticity and freedom of movement. The technique involves pleating fabric in a regular manner and maintaining those pleats with decorative embroidery.
It was a children's book illustrator, Kate Greenaway, who first drew a little girl wearing a dress with a smocked bodice in 1880 : quite an innovation at the time. Liberty London immediately reproduced the drawing and met huge success. From that moment, smocking became inseparable from children's wardrobes.
By the 1920s, smocked dresses became tied with good taste and upper class attire, becoming the emblem of classic chic style for children and the typical outfit of royal families. In French culture, smocking represents not just craftsmanship, but a commitment to quality, heritage, and the celebration of childhood's fleeting beauty.
3. In a world that moves fast, how do you continue honoring tradition without losing relevance?
We continue to believe in creating timeless designs which never go out of style. Handmade smocks are gradually disappearing in France and Europe, but we are committed to keeping them alive. Our dresses are imagined as heirloom pieces to be cherished and passed down from generation to another. They are intended to become part of families' heritage, to be a part of strong roots and beloved memories to hold on to in an ever changing world.
Our relevance comes from offering something rare and precious : limited editions lovingly made by hand with genuine skill and soul. Each collection is highly limited, often with just one piece per size, making every child feel truly unique. Magic is in the balance : whilst staying consistent honoring traditional smocking methods, we constantly renew our designs with new patterns, unexpected color schemes and fresh twists on classic shapes. The challenge of presenting one collection per month and never re-editing twice the exact same dress is a fantastic way to nurture our imagination and creativity.
4. Your dresses often become heirlooms for families. What does that responsibility feel like?
It feels both humbling and deeply meaningful.
As The Little Prince reminds us,
"What is essential is invisible to the eye. It is only with the heart that one can see rightly"
This quote is at the core of our philosophy and guides all our actions. When we create a dress, we're not simply making a garment for one occasion. We are weaving the first stitch of very special bonds : trustworthy relationships between the atelier and families, links between generations with dresses passed down as precious heirlooms, ties with children by taking part in their milestone moments. Knowing that our dresses will witness birthdays, holidays, family photographs, and eventually be carefully folded in tissue paper to await the next generation is a true privilege. Each stitch carries the responsibility of creating something worthy of tomorrow's memories. That's why every piece is created with such love and care.
Victoria wears the Soar High Sky Blue and Red Cerise Tartan Smocked Dress with our beloved Ruby Fable Bow, holding Maman Et Moi by American illustrator Nicole Jarecz—a perfect pairing of timeless style and storybook charm.
5. What do you hope mothers and daughters feel when they wear your pieces?
Our wish is to make little girls feel utterly unique and special. When a child twirls in one of our dresses, we want her to experience a touch of magic : that sense of being a princess in her own story. May they bring an additional sparkle to these precious fast fleeting years and create happy memories.
For mothers, we hope to nurture a feeling of belonging. We delight in nothing more than developing true friendships. Mums deserve to be encouraged and celebrated just as much as their little ones along the journey of childhood. May they feel cherished, loved and supported as they enter part of our Charlotte sy Dimby world.
Our dream is for them to feel part of something larger : a community of families worldwide who value beauty, craftsmanship, and the celebration of childhood innocence. Many of our clients share that wearing our dresses has become part of their family traditions for special occasions.
6. How does Paris continue to inspire your designs and philosophy?
Imbued with French "art de vivre" since childhood, it seemed only natural that each Charlotte sy Dimby piece should hold a touch of Parisian chic charm and that our only shop should be in France. Paris represents elegance, refinement, and a certain approach to beauty that never diminishes quality for convenience.
The city's architecture, its gardens, its commitment to preserving beauty and tradition while remaining vibrant and alive is precisely what we aim for in our collections. As Thomas Jefferson said,
"A walk about Paris will provide lessons in history, beauty, and in the point of Life."
Our boutique L'Île aux Fées, meaning fairy island in the 6th arrondissement is itself an expression of Parisian charm, it’s a place where families can step away from the rush and into an enchanted space dedicated to childhood dreams.
7. What small Parisian rituals or moments spark your creativity?
True Parisian life is endlessly inspiring. Be it watching little girls in the Luxembourg Gardens with their toy sailboats, the way afternoon light filters through Haussmannian windows, the careful attention to detail in tea rooms where even the smallest pastry is a work of art, the abounding art exhibitions.... The list is endless.
We're guided by Antoine de Saint Exupéry's wisdom:
"It is truly useful since it is beautiful."
This philosophy appears everywhere in Paris : in the iron balconies that serve no practical purpose except beauty, in the ritual of a perfectly set table, in the careful preservation of centuries-old craftsmanship traditions. Even the interaction with families who visit our boutique sparks creativity : seeing a grandmother selecting a dress for her granddaughter, witnessing a child's face light up when she sees herself in the mirror. These quiet, beautiful moments remind us why we do what we do : to add joy and elegance to the world, one handmade dress at a time.
Victoria wears the Christmas Silver Bells Organza Smocked Dress styled with our Misty Silk Royal Velvet Fable Bow and Liz Velvet Headband—a luxurious layering of texture and timeless elegance.
My time at L’Île aux Fées reminded me that in a world racing toward convenience, there are still places where beauty is created slowly, intentionally, and with immeasurable heart. Speaking with Charlotte and learning more about Monique’s extraordinary legacy deepened my appreciation for what makes this house so singular: its devotion to preserving childhood wonder through true craftsmanship.
Every stitch, every pleat, every dress is a love letter to little girls who twirl with unfiltered joy, to mothers and grandmothers who treasure tradition, and to the quiet enduring art of making something that lasts.
As I stepped back onto the quiet, sunlit street just beyond Saint-Germain, I found myself reflecting on what made this visit so unforgettable. Paris was buzzing with the high energy of Fashion Week. Fast-paced, electric, and full of spectacle yet my time with Charlotte Sy Dimby offered something entirely different: a return to intention, artistry, and human connection.
The shoot we created together became one of my favorite memories of the entire trip. What struck me most was not just the beauty of the dresses or the elegance of the setting, but the spirit of the people around me. The French have a way of welcoming you with sincerity, of giving their time and enthusiasm wholeheartedly. Their generosity, their openness, their joy in sharing their craft and culture. Honestly, it deeply moved me.
Being invited into a French home during our shoot made the experience even more meaningful. It was intimate, warm, and touched with a sense of belonging I will never forget. In a week defined by runway shows and schedule-packed days, this quiet collaboration held a different kind of significance. It reminded me that fashion at its truest essence is not only about what we wear, but about the hands, the heritage, and the humanity behind it.
Working alongside Charlotte and witnessing Monique’s legacy up close offered me a fresh perspective on craft, preservation, and sustainability. Values that feel increasingly rare in today’s world. Their devotion to honoring childhood, creating heirlooms, and preserving an art form carries a weight and beauty that transcends trends.
I left Paris feeling profoundly grateful. I am grateful for the magic stitched into every dress, for the people who opened their hearts and home to me, and for the reminder that true craftsmanship is not simply made… it is lived.
Shop at the boutique: Lile Aux Fees
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Photography Mira Photography