In the early 1900s French couturier, Paul Poiret, decided to start his own decorating workshop called the Atelier Martine after seeing printed textiles by the Wiener Werkstätte. The Atelier Martine operated from 1911 to 1929 and consisted of a group of untrained teenage girls. Wanting to foster their pure talent and create an authentic school of naïve art, Poiret encouraged the girls to sketch in the countryside and romp through markets for inspiration. The Atelier Martine’s dynamic designs for home furnishings were highly influential throughout its career. However, the workshop had to close its doors following the crash of the stock market in 1929. Looking at some of the textile designs, it’s hard to believe they were created 90 years ago. The naïve style translates well into the modern era. -Jessie