CREATE YOUR  DREAM DRESS
The 7-day slow sewing retreat in Provence

WELCOME TO YOUR CREATIVE EXPERIENCE 

Do you have a dream of your perfect dress? The unique dress in which you feel strong, beautiful, glamorous, enthusiastic, sexy, and confident? You feel the joy and the mood booster when you wear it - you sense the energy of this, for you, perfect dress. I call it a "POWER DRESS".

I have been creating dresses for around 40 years. After my experience as a designer in the high fashion industry in several European countries and as a teacher at a fashion college in Germany, I founded my version of time-less and season-less style, with my label "STEFANIE SAVARY 12ROBES" and "ART&COUTURE". I believe that dresses can be a source of strength and are an expression of one's personality. It is the first message we send to our environment. The dress is our second skin and is much more than just fashion. We express ourselves through garments and reveal who we are.

Find your very own personal, individual expression! Create your dream dress surrounded by nature and olive trees. Enjoy the peaceful place to revitalize your energy and indulge in your creativity. In this seven-day retreat, where we find ourselves with like-minded and soulful women, we let go of the rest of the world with its hectic pace and daily to-do list for a few days. We slow down and concentrate with uninterrupted focus and deep immersion in what is close to our hearts. We come into our being. That is very powerful.

Living in the South for over 20 years now, I invite you to guide you step by step through the practice of your creation in this relaxing setting. Together we will make it become a reality. I support you with all my experience and know-how to realize your version of a power dress. This is a conscious process resulting in a deep connection with the piece created. It is about experiencing the UNIQUENESS OF EXPRESSION of each individual.

ART OF SEWING

It's a heartfelt desire of human nature to express itself in matter - to create something and make it perceivable. That is a beautiful holistic experience that we strive for. All creation of elements is about consciously experiencing and dedicating yourself to the creation, including feeling and enjoying the finished product. It is a conscious, loving process that only makes sense if you do it joyfully and encounter the created dress as one source of delight that makes our lives more abundant and beautiful.

We will practice a kind of slow sewing. That means we will slow down and consciously take each step as part of the journey. From draping the fabric to seeing how it falls to cutting the pattern, pinning, and cutting the fabric - each element is just as important as the sewing. Slow sewing is a meditation, where each step is done consciously in the present moment, which leads to the art of sewing.

ACCOMODATION - FEEL HOME

Leave everyday behind and enjoy a creative time-out at "La Marjuliere". Our charming bastide is located in a spacious estate with olive terraces, and lavender fields in Montauroux - one of the charismatic hill-top villages in the countryside of the Côte d'Azur.

This medieval village is nestled in the foothills of the Maritime Alps, 30 minutes from Cannes and Grasse, 50 minutes from Nice airport and 1 hour from Saint Tropez.

Montauroux is also known as the former summer residence "Château de la Colle Noire" of Christian Dior. This region on the edge of Provence is known for its famous wines, olives, and perfumes. The roses centifolia for "La Colle Noire" perfume is cultivated here.

You are welcome to start your creative day in the morning with meditation or yoga under the olive trees, take a refreshing break in the pool, and enjoy the magnificent colors of the sunset in the evenings. Enjoy the rich history and tranquillity admid nature, the peace and serenity of the estate, the panoramic view, the scent of lavender and the song of the cicadas.

LA MARJULIERE
208 BOULEVARD DU BELVEDERE
83440 MONTAUROUX
PROVENCE D'AZUR

DATES & SCHEDULE

SLOW SEWING RETREAT 2024 

01 - 08 JUNE
21 - 28 SEPTEMBER - 1 place left
19 - 26 OCTOBER 
09 - 16 NOVEMBER - 1 place left

RETREAT - ALL LEVELS

Arrival Saturday - Departure Saturday
Sunday - Friday is six days of creative immersion, delicious food, and two excursions.

SATURDAY

15:00 - 18:00 Arrival
18:30 - 21:00 Apéro and Welcome dinner

SUNDAY

8:00 - 09:00 Breakfast of local and regional produce
9:30 - 12:30 We first try out the pattern and fit and cut your dress in a sample fabric. Then we start sewing the sample dress. (in a simple and easy process)
13:00 - 14:00 Light lunch
14:30 - 17:30 Sewing of the sample dress, fitting, and possible alterations to the pattern.
19:00 - 21:00 Dinner

MONDAY

08:00 - 09:00 Breakfast of local and regional produce
09:30 - 12:30 If the pattern fits, we will now cut the original fabric very carefully and deliberately. That is a very conscious process.
13:00 - 14:00 Light lunch
14:30 - 17:30 Preparation of the cut pattern components - we start sewing the dream dress.
19:00 - 21:00 Dinner

TUESDAY

08:00 - 09:00 Breakfast
09:30 - 12:30 Sewing of your dream dress and possibly the first fitting
13:00 Light lunch
14:00 Excursion
Dinner outside

WEDNESDAY

08:00 - 09:00 Breakfast
09:30 - 12:30 We will continue to work on your dress
13:00 - 14:00 Light lunch
14:30 - 17:30 Sewing and fitting of your dress
19:00 - 21:00 Dinner

THURSDAY

08:00 - 09:00 Breakfast
09:30 - 12:30 We continue to work on your dress
13:00 Light lunch
14:00 Excursion
Dinner outside

FRIDAY

08:00 - 09:00 Breakfast
09:30 - 12:30 We continue to work on your dress - the last fitting
13:00 - 14:00 Light lunch
14:30 - 17:30 We finish your dream dress and and depending on your wishes and the time available, we can top it off with a professional shoot.
19:00 - 21:00 Dinner

SATURDAY

08:00 - 10:00 Breakfast
Departure until 11:00

WHAT'S INCLUDED 

ACCOMODATION & GOOD SLEEP

7 nights in our charming Cottage "Provence" or Guest room "Ciel" - alone or as a twosome

INSTRUCTION & CONSCIOUS APPROACH

6 days of instruction with my full attention and know-how from 40 years of professional experience to create your dream dress together in a very small group. The maximum number of participants is limited to 3-4 to fully support you in your creative experience. Classes can be held in English, French or German.

MATERIAL & TREASURES

Sewing machines, thread, scissors, needles, pattern paper, irons, and an overlock machine are at your disposal. The fabric for the sample dress is included. You will receive a prepared work plan precisely tailored to your unique dress. We will discuss your project in detail before the retreat. Once you arrive you can start your project right away. It is of utmost importance to only work with high-quality fabrics. The aim is to create a beautiful dress to enjoy for a long time - which you will want to wear again and again. It is your second skin.

MEALS & HEALTH

We mainly use regional and seasonal ingredients from the local farmer's market and organic food shops to prepare our dishes. We cook very high-quality, plant-based, wholesome food - always vegetarian and also vegan on request. Tea, coffee, fruits, and cookies are all day available. 7 BREAKFASTS - 6 LUNCHES - 5 DINNER

EXCURSIONS & WELLBEING

2 afternoons - f.e. Grasse - the capital of perfume or Cannes and the flair of the Riviera

EXCLUDED 

Your travel to Montauroux, the fabric for your dream dress and your pattern is not included. I will be delighted to advise you in advance on the selection and procurement of the material. If desired, I can offer to prepare a customized pattern. Dinners on both excursions are not included.

FREQUENT QUESTIONS

ALL LEVELS

Regardless of whether you are already sewing or want to start now - we will realize your dress together step by step. We will discuss your project in detail in advance. You will receive a specific sewing program with detailed instructions on realizing your idea at the beginning of this retreat.

WHAT FABRICS AND STYLES ARE POSSIBLE? 

Before booking your sewing retreat please get in touch and make sure, that we can realize your dream dress here. F.e. we don’t sew leather and we do not make tight corsets.

DESIGN OF YOUR DREAM DRESS - PATTERN

You may bring your own pattern along. However, if you don’t find a convenient one, I can provide you with the production of the pattern. Please contact me in advance about your project and for an offer.

MINIMUM NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS

The course can also take place with one participant - in this case you will receive one week of private lessons - at the price of single room occupancy (guest room: € 1980.00 / cottage € 2300.00). We will contact you in advance to see if this suits you.

MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS

Limited spots available - secure your place! This isn’t a mass event. Limited spots of 3-4 ensure a focused, personal experience. If you're looking for an enriching retreat into the world of couture, reserve your spot now!

CANCELLATION

If you need to cancel your participation in the class for any reason please see below the conditions unless we have a waiting list and can refuel your place.

Cancellation from time of booking to 8 weeks before the event - 30% of the costs payable
Cancellation from 8 weeks to 4 weeks before the event - 75% of the cost payable
Cancellation from 4 weeks before the event - 100% of the costs

OCCUPATION PER ROOM

The guest room and the cottage offer space for three people. We recommend a room occupation of two to be able to host 3 to 4 class participants here at the estate and to create a beautiful group experience. If you are already a group of 3 and want to share this creative experience together in either the guest room or the cottage, the price will change. Please contact us for an offer.

AIRPORT TRANSFER

You can reach Montauroux either by car, by train to Fréjus/Saint Raphael, or by plane to Nice. There exists the option of hiring a car if you wish. However, if you need a transfer from the airport or train station, we could organize this for you. 

PROFESSIONAL SHOOTING

If we are ready in time, we can organize a professional shoot with your new dream dress on request.

NON-PARTICIPATING GUESTS

We are happy to welcome non-workshop guests, accompanying partners, family, or friends. There are plenty of activities to experience around "LA MARJULIERE", that will make your holiday unforgettable.

BOOKING - RESERVATION

The booking of the course has to be confirmed with an immediate payment of 30% of the total amount. The remaining 70% must be paid 4 weeks before the start of the retreat. If you would prefer to book by telephone, please contact us directly: +33 687 88 38 18 or via contact@stefaniesavary.com

OUR PLANET

With my work, I support the organization "Coeur de Forêt". With every dress I make, I sponsor the plantation of a new tree worldwide. That now also applies to every new participant in the "CREATE YOUR DREAM DRESS" retreat - you will receive a certificate about the plantation of a new tree from "Coeur de Forêt".