A day in time, where the art of costume meets photography

February 2025 69 avenue Daumesnil, Paris 12

Created in 2016 by Emilie Monchovet and Stéphane Casali, Un Jour dans le Temps designs, creates, and rents period costumes, from the Renaissance to the 1920s, as well as dreamlike costumes inspired by the fantasy universe. For those who wish, the atelier offers to immortalise the experience with a photo shoot, dressed in costume, with makeup and hairstyle reminiscent of times past.

Un Jour dans le Temps at the Viaduc des arts

This concept, which attracts many enthusiasts as well as an increasingly broad audience, left its historic premises in Ivry-sur-Seine to settle at the Viaduc des arts in December 2023.

In its new 180-square-metre space, the young cooperative business now has a workshop where costumes are designed, a storage area housing around 2,000 costumes from the collection, and a photo studio.

« Un Jour dans le Temps brings together two worlds: the art of costume and photography, » summarises its co-founder, Emilie Monchovet. « It’s a concept that appeals greatly, especially to those passionate about history or costumes. »

Herself passionate about costumes from a young age, this self-taught creator has worked in the industry for over twenty years. « As a child, I would spend hours admiring 19th-century outfits I found in the wardrobes of my family home, » says the descendant of lace-makers from the Auvergne region. « I have always been drawn to history and costumes, even participating regularly in live-action role-playing games, for which I began making my own outfits. »

Thus, step by step, Emilie Monchovet created her first costume design business: Les Vertugadins. She eventually left that venture in 2023 to focus on developing Un Jour dans le Temps, which combines her passion with that of her partner, Stéphane Casali: photography.

« Stéphane and I met while working on a theatre production. We were making the costumes, and he was the set photographer, » she recalls. Trained at the Louis Lumière school, Stéphane Casali also worked in fashion for a time. « So, he knows the culture around fabric very well, » notes his associate.

Today, along with another photographer recently hired, Stéphane manages the photo shoots for Un Jour dans le Temps. Meanwhile, Emilie Monchovet takes care of all the costume-related aspects.

High-end costume creation and rental

Initially designed for theatre and film, the costumes of Un Jour dans le Temps are of the highest quality. « In my opinion, the fabric alone represents 50% of the costume, » says Emilie Monchovet. This is why the passionate creator spends hours searching for the best fabrics from specialised suppliers. « We regularly work with a Parisian supplier who specialises in costume fabrics, » she explains.

And because the costume designer pays attention to even the smallest details, she also hunts for vintage haberdashery, strolling through flea markets, browsing sites like eBay, or relying on a friend who is an antiques dealer and alerts her whenever he finds something that might interest her.

« I remember watching the bonus features of The Lord of the Rings films, where the costume designer mentioned that they focused on details, even if they wouldn’t be seen on screen. I don’t entirely agree: details are what make you feel that you are dealing with a high-quality costume. And those wearing the costumes feel it too – that changes everything, » says Emilie Monchovet.

This attention to detail extends to jewellery and accessories, which Un Jour dans le Temps rents from a jeweller specialising in antique jewellery and reproductions, as well as to hairstyling and makeup.

Finding inspiration in museums

In addition to its impressive collection, Un Jour dans le Temps regularly creates new costumes and can also work on custom orders when the opportunity arises.
« Right now, we are preparing a series of 18th-century outfits, with different sizes for men and women, especially sizes that we have little or no stock of in our current collection, » explains Emilie Monchovet.

As with every new creation, the costume designer takes time to envision each piece. « I often wander through museums to find inspiration in paintings. » Emilie Monchovet then sketches the costumes born from her imagination, before selecting fabrics and accessories.

« Next, I put together a team to help with the sewing. Sometimes, I call on an embroiderer to ensure meticulous work on embroidery, which is not my area of expertise. We also customise hats by adding feathers, pearls, or flowers... Every detail is considered to ensure that those wearing the costumes never forget the experience. What I love most about my job is seeing the sparkle in their eyes, » says Emilie Monchovet with emotion.

Un Jour dans le Temps
69 avenue Daumesnil, Paris 12
unjourdansletemps.com
© Photo : Matthieu Gauchet

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