Sitting Down with Aurélia de Sailly, Founder of Antoinette Paris

“Treasures of humanity, children deserve Beauty. At Antoinette Paris, dressing them with grace is our passion.”

How did Antoinette Paris come to be?

Antoinette was born in 2017 while I was living in Atlanta, Georgia.

At the time, I noticed a gap in the availability of European-style childrenswear: pieces that truly reflected the timeless elegance of French tradition.

I wanted to offer something noble, colorful, and joyful.

So I founded Antoinette Paris: a maison dedicated to French-style childrenswear, with a focus on exquisite craftsmanship and poetic design.

My inspiration comes from many places: the gardens of Versailles, French art (especially Impressionism), and most deeply, from my childhood summers spent at my grandmother’s home in the Beaujolais vineyards.

There, beauty lived in the smallest rituals: roses in antique vases, handwritten menus, silver saltshakers on white embroidered linens. It was a world of quiet elegance — and one I wanted to share.

Antoinette is now at the Ritz Paris. What does this step mean for the brand?

It feels like being awarded a Michelin star. It’s a moment of recognition, but also a dream realized.

The Ritz represents the height of Parisian elegance, a place where fantasy and refinement intertwine.

Children dressed in Antoinette can now enjoy Afternoon Tea at the Ritz and step directly into our world of wonder.

It also paves the way for new collaborations and creative expansions rooted in French heritage, tradition, and timeless charm.

Who is Antoinette for?

Our collections are designed for families who cherish emotion and memory.

Parents often tell us that our dresses remind them of something from their own childhood – a garment worn for a special day, a scent of nostalgia.

Antoinette offers a poetic escape from the everyday, a little window into a fairytale.

Antoinette creates stories, not just garments. What’s your vision for the brand?

Antoinette is a celebration of craftsmanship.

Our dresses are inspired by a theme rooted in French heritage and feature hand-embroidered panels that bring stories to life.

Whether it’s lily of the valley for Easter or holly branches at Christmas, every detail is intentional.

Our vision is to elevate childrenswear into wearable heirlooms: pieces as timeless and unique as jewelry.

We’re also developing an accessories line of hand-embroidered bows and bags, and in 2026, we’ll launch our first coordinated collection for women and children.

What are Antoinette’s signature pieces?

The Princess Charlotte dress is our emblem. With its sky-blue cotton, hand-smocked floral embroidery, and a delicate pink bow at the back, it has become a symbol of understated elegance.

We are also known for our silk taffeta celebration dresses and our seasonal collections that transform French tradition into something magical and wearable.

The signature back bow is now an unmistakable Antoinette touch.

What values are woven into Antoinette’s DNA?

Antoinette is the antithesis of fast fashion. We stand for enduring beauty, transmission, and elegance.

Our pieces are made to be worn, loved, and passed down through generations, never disposable, always meaningful. Each one is crafted to celebrate childhood and to nourish dreams, imagination, and a sense of wonder.

You’re also involved in social causes. Can you tell us more?

A year before launching Antoinette, I visited the Aïna Foundation in Madagascar, which supports orphans and very young mothers.

Since 2019, we’ve supported the foundation as godmother to two little girls. It’s a mission that brings depth and purpose to everything we do.

Sustainability is also a priority. We reuse leftover fabric to craft accessories and give our collections a second life, always guided by the principles of longevity and responsibility.

How would you describe the world of Antoinette?

It is a world where elegance meets poetry.

Antoinette is about preserving savoir-faire, transmitting family traditions, and creating garments that feel like love letters to childhood.

Now available at the Ritz Paris, we offer families an enchanted interlude: a moment suspended in beauty, where even the youngest can step into a fairytale.