Cédric Courtin is the founder of the Ateliers Courtin workshops based in the Pondicherry-Auroville belt. Known for his research and development in techniques around leatherwork, Courtin’s craftsmanship was for a long time a carefully guarded secret of the fashion world. With a global reputation as being one of the most innovative ateliers in luxury, he has collaborated with a roll call of artistic directors, often on ultra-limited edition catwalk pieces and on weaving samples so conceptual that they exist only in tiny panels archived in his Tamil Nadu studio. Courtin was born in Brittany, France to a family that has a long history as lace makers, hatters and tailors. He has lived in India since 2004.