Atelier Maricha

We met up with Maricha, a Parisian ceramic artist, so she could introduce us to her poetic world and tell us more about her relationship with fashion.

Maricha is wearing Le Sagan blouse

Could you introduce yourself?

Hello, I’m Maricha Ploutnikova, a ceramic artist based in the 10th arrondissement of Paris, in the Sainte-Marthe neighborhood.

I’ve been working with ceramics for five years now and I specialize in porcelain.

Porcelain is a clay fired at high temperatures, which gives it that whiteness and richness that I love. It’s also a very special clay. Even though it looks fragile, it’s extremely strong. Porcelain has what’s known as shape memory: once you touch it, it retains the imprint of that first touch. That’s why you have to work with it very quickly, while letting the material guide you and working with precision at the same time. I also love the fact that it is translucent. If you look closely, you can almost see the light, a bit like mother-of-pearl.

Overall, my creations are very organic. I draw a great deal of inspiration from nature, particularly from corals, hence the whiteness found in the porcelain, but also certain colors—sometimes more vibrant, sometimes softer—just like corals.

In a word or a sentence, what does fashion mean to you?

It’s about feeling good, wearing pieces you love and that flatter you, whether through their textures or colors. The great thing about fashion is that you can play around, experiment, and even take on a new identity if you feel like it.

Which item of clothing instantly gives you confidence?

Overalls, definitely. I love overalls, no matter the style: whether it’s a vintage piece or a pair of work overalls. You just need to slip them on to feel good. You feel protected, you have freedom of movement, and best of all, you can do anything in them: climb, get dirty…

And at the same time, if you want to look a little more put together, just slip on some heels to elongate your silhouette—it gives you presence and creates a real sense of style.

It’s a piece that gives me confidence, no matter the style.

Maricha is wearing Le Ferdinand dress

What has influenced your style the most?

I’d say it’s more of a specific era, between the ’60s and ’70s. That’s the style I wear most often and the one I identify with the most. It’s a time of freedom, when people started being able to wear clothes that truly made them feel good.

When you get dressed in the morning, what do you prioritize?

Comfort!

The outfit has to be comfortable and versatile—especially since I became a mom: so much can happen in a single day that feeling comfortable is the most important thing for me.

Maricha is wearing Le Trenet dress

What would you like women to feel more when they get dressed?

That they feel truly good, at ease in clothes that accompany them throughout the day. I think that’s essential.

Your work with porcelain is deeply connected to the hand and the sense of touch. Do you find a comparable sensibility, or a similar form of dialogue, in the clothes you choose to wear?

There are indeed similarities between my clothes and my artwork.

I love the expression “we’re the same everywhere”: whether in our personal lives or at work, we’re all alike no matter where we are.

It’s something that comes through naturally in my work: I love loose, voluptuous shapes and draping. I have many shirts with pretty collars or ruffles—details that can also be found on my vases.

When I think back, there were already clothes in my wardrobe that fit this aesthetic. You can even see them in old photos. I don’t know which inspired the other, but there is certainly a shared sensibility that runs through my clothes, just as it does in my creations.