Behind the Brand: CSAO
I'm excited to introduce you to Ondine Saglio, founder of CSAO! I first discovered CSAO on Instagram and I couldn't believe her beautiful designs were not sold all over the US (lucky me!). We quickly connected over email and curated our first collection of hand-painted plates and embroidered Liberty print pillows. Her designs are more than just pretty accents. Each piece is designed with love in Paris and made by a collective in West Africa.
I sat down with Ondine to learn more about how she started her company and the incredibly talented artisans who bring her designs to life. Read her sweet and short Q&A below!
Enjoy!
Q: To get started, can you tell us a little about yourself and what inspired you to start your brand?
A: I am really happy to meet you all! My name is Ondine Saglio, I am the happy mother of two teenagers, artistic designer, buyer, in charge of all the collaborations, wholesale departments, and many other jobs at CSAO. We are a very little team in Paris (three) for a lot of projects.
I was born in Dakar, Senegal, and grew up there on the little beautiful island of Gorée! That’s were everything started. The love of Africa and craftsmanship of my parents inspired me since I was a kid. My parents were collecting a lot of fabrics, statues, things from all over Africa. The house was a museum of African art and craft, and my mum had a lot of skills herself with textiles, etc..
My mother created CSAO (company of Senegal and west Africa) in 1995 to help and share the beauty of west African craft in Europe. And at the same time, ASAO, the Associations for women and kids, they were always linked together. We needed the company to support all the projects of the ASAO, and the different associations we were helping or in charge of. I very quickly started to help with the creative direction, making new products with a more “European” style, but with their wonderful skills! It’s been so long now and I am still there.
Q: Where are you based?
A: We are based in Paris where we have two shops in the beautiful Le Marais neighborhood. I go two to three times a year to Senegal for collaborations with other brands (Bonpoint, Simrane, Christian Louboutin etc...) and to create products for the shop and wholesale, meet with artists, artisans, embroiderers, tailors, etc.. They are all independent workers, so I try to help them and support their new projects. The best moments!
Q: One of our favorite characteristics about your product is the exceptional quality and craftsmanship. Can you tell us a bit more about how your pieces are made?
A: We have always been working hard on the quality, beauty and craftsmanship. The fabrics come from England (Liberty of London) and threads from France. The artisans are from Senegal and the embroiderers have an amazing skill. It takes almost one entire day to make one pillow! The girls put so much love in their products that you can feel it when you see the pillows or bags in reality!
Q: What is it about your pieces that make them so special?
A: The love and skills that they have for their craft. The story behind and I think my love and admiration for their skills and for their mind! We are like a family, some of them working for so many years now!
Q: This maybe a tough question, but what is your favorite piece we carry at Hummingbird?
A: The liberty pillows! I have always been crazy about embroideries and about Liberty fabrics. My daughter was wearing liberty dresses all the time, her room was covered with CSAO liberty pillows, blankets and accessories!
Q: When you're not working on new designs, what will we find you doing?
A: Going to museums and exhibitions for inspiration, or just walking around! Spending time with my family and friends. But often, work takes too much space. I think I want to work on this year!
To learn more, follow CSAO on Instagram @ondine_csao!
