Friday Files – International Women’s Day – Inside Boyac

On International Women’s Day we are pleased to be part of such a wonderful industry. This industry is filled with many clever and creative women, often at the helm of these enormous European textile businesses. To name a few who we work with; Bernie de Le Cuona of de Le Cuona, Barbara Osorio of Barbara Osorio, and Emilie Paralitici the new Creative Director of Creation Metaphores.

We, at Boyac, have a wonderful all woman team (with the exception of our long-standing IT director Gareth who has been with Boyac since Susanna bought the business). We also have worked closely with RMIT and Enmore design schools in their mentoring programs.

For this year’s International Women’s Day, we would like to have Susanna and Eleonore de Vienne in the spotlight.

Principal of BOYAC, Susanna de Vienne has been devoting herself for over fifteen years to the company. Her daughter Eleonore de Vienne is the National Operation Manager and has been working in the industry for about ten years.

Our interview with Susanna and Eleonore will give you more insight about BOYAC’S history, longevity and challenges.

A bit of history: how did you become principal of Boyac Pty Ltd?

Susanna – Many years earlier I had owned, with my husband, an interiors design business in Queen St Woollahra selling Manuel Canovas fabrics imported by P Rowe. Humbert de Lambilly, a cousin of my husband, suggested I buy Boyac as he was wanting to retire, and the rest is history, more than 15 years later I am still here.

Eleonore – Having been immersed in this world from such a young age, I have always loved the industry. After years of working in Paris I have come back to the industry I know and love. Boyac still feels like a family business, having grown up surrounded it seems like the perfect fit. Although it may have taken me trying some new things to figure that out.

What inspired you to work in the industry?

Susanna – I have always loved textiles both apparel and furnishing. I sew (badly) and love to make my own clothes (a closet fashion designer).

My job gives me the wonderful combination of creativity, balanced with business management.

Eleonore – Having grown up in a cross-culture home, it feels natural to work in an industry with so many different cultures. It also keeps my French up to scratch. The savoir-faire in the industry is something so incredible, having spent so much times in the mills in Europe and seeing how these people work you understand why it lasts forever.

How would you describe your interior style?

Susanna – Classic, European, with an eclectic twist of colour and texture. I have enjoyed collecting pieces over the years from different destinations around the world. I enjoy sitting on a sofa that has a soft & comfortable.

Eleonore – French, simple and chic – and a mix of old and new. My favourite piece in my home is my horse hair upholstered stools.

What is your biggest achievement?

Susanna – My children.

Eleonore – Buying into the business I love 6 months ago.

What do you find is most challenging at Boyac and in the textile industry?

Susanna – The textile industry is challenging for many reasons. Trends & fashion dictate what people want in their home or commercial office space. At Boyac we pride ourselves on always sourcing the most future focussed pieces for our new collections. Whilst maintaining a respect and love of the traditional artisan skills of fabric making, such as gaufrage, horsehair weaving and handmade silk passementerie.

Eleonore – The AUD exchange rate keeps us on the ball, the movement is hard to follow or predict. However, if there are dramatic changes in the exchange rate, we do reduce our prices to reflect the move. We believe in transparency with our customers.

Our market has more choice of textiles than New York or Paris as we have textiles from all over the world, and then all the copies made in Asia.

Could you name 3 fabrics you love?

Where do we start!? It is difficult to choose.

Here are a few:

Susanna:

• Spitfire from de Le Cuona
• Touch Me from Antoine d’Albiousse
• Cavallo piu from Creation Baumann.

Eleonore:

• Toile de Cocher from Antoine d’Albiousse
• Iliade from Creation Metaphores
• Marly from Colony

How do you imagine Boyac’s future?

Susanna – I believe that textiles have become relevant again, I feel that there is a new buzz in the interiors industry, and I look forward to discovering what is in store for 2021.

Eleonore – I believe over the last twenty years people, especially my generation have forgotten their interiors. The last year has seen a change people’s lifestyles and how they view their home. Due to the pandemic people are entertaining more at home and wanting to invest in their interiors.

We are not a fast industry, which may be our biggest downfall. Our repeat customers come back after 20 years not due to wear and tear but for an update.

I believe in the age that sustainability is at the forefront of everyone’s minds we must reuse, reupholster and recycle.