Hi! My name is Iris, I’m 27 years old, and I’m from Limoges, a French city in the center of the country, known for its porcelain. 

Before coming to Macedonia, I was working in a factory that produces mattresses. However, it was assembly line work, and I’m more into traditional techniques. So, doing an internship in another country was a great opportunity to go back to my first love: craftsmanship. In the past, I studied upholstery for eight years in different schools in France, and I also did internships in Morocco and Germany. I learned how to restore vintage armchairs using traditional techniques based on natural materials such as horsehair or plant-based fibers. I also learned how to hand-make curtains and studied different aspects of art history. I’m really passionate about furniture and its evolution, because it teaches us a lot about how mentalities have changed throughout the centuries.

 I’m really into artistic activities and handcrafting, but I also love discovering the art of other countries. For example, I spend a lot of time watching movies and learning about the different professions involved in filmmaking. It’s the same for video games, I don’t play much, but I find it fascinating to learn how a game is made. I’m also a big fan of music and live concerts. 

To clear my mind, I enjoy hiking, going on motorcycle trips, or hanging out with friends for a drink.

 I’m very happy to be spending these three months in Macedonia and doing an internship in a weaving company that makes traditional costumes (Narodni Nosii), helping to ensure that craftsmanship isn’t lost over time. 

Iris Foch

Sending organisation: Cercle de Qualité 

Iris will have an internship in Narodni Nosii in Skopje