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About Us

River Sauvageau is an artist, designer, minister, community art activist, tipi maker and a longtime resident of the Ojai Valley in southern California. She is of French Canadian heritage and was brought up in Quebec, Canada and upstate New York. 

River has learned that creating and working with your hands brings satisfaction to daily life. This kind of manifesting, making things, is grounding and helps us to center in the here and now. 

At the age of 7 she was introduced to the use of the sewing machine by her grandmother, Alice Beausejours Brodeur, and tutored in needlework skills by her aunts. By the time she was 12 years old, River was creating her own wardrobe and by age 16, selling her original creations. As her skills grew she broadened her experience with costume design, soft sculpture, jewelry making and painting.

 

 

 

bout River Sauvageau: I have been machine sewing since I was 7 years old. My Grandmaman Alice Brodeur had a sewing machine in the corner of her huge country kitchen by the window overlooking the vegetable garden and barn beyond. I started sewing papers together to make little notebooks which then I made into little sketch books and from there on to clothes for my dolls, when I turned 12, clothes for myself.

My business is ”Studio Sauvageau”, designing, making and selling my bag designs since 1989.

Since 1993 I have been creating the annual 50'-Diameter Ojai Day Mandala painting with the Ojai community, with painters from 2 to 84 years old participating.

I have costumed over 50 theatrical productions, many for illusions Children's Theatre where I developed my skills while costuming fantasy plays, as well as been art crew and leader for dozens of events.

 

I have been making large ceremonial tipis, from 20ft to 32ft Diameter since 2006. I just completed my 34th tipi.

 

I am an expert pattern maker, as well as skilled in the draping method. I like to find the easiest way to do things while also figuring out how to make them work best for their intended purpose.

I love working with others a studio setting and encouraging other's creativity while guiding them in the skills to make things. We learn how to problem solve by looking at things from different perspectives. That is part of the pleasure of working in a group setting.

"I can tell this bag was designed by a woman." is a comment frequently heard here at Studio Sauvageau.

Celebrate your senses in a realm of colors, patterns and shapes when you view Studio Sauvageau's exquisitely made fabric bags. 

Here you will see many different styles of bags made in a bounty of beautiful fabrics. Rarely does one have the opportunity to choose from such a delightful array of rich textures and vibrant colors in a collection of practical, well-designed bags.

Handcrafted on the premises with dedicated workmanship, using luxe fabrics and designed with an imperative for practicality (using waterproof lining fabrics, machine washable), Studio Sauvageau's Purses and Travel Bags are sought after by discriminating women the world over.

 

About Ms. River Lisa Sauvageau
   

Ms. River Lisa Sauvageau was raised in Quebec, Canada, and in the Hudson River Valley, in upstate New York. At the age of 7 she was introduced to the use of the sewing machine by her grandmother, Alice Beausejours Brodeur, and tutored in needlework skills by her aunts. By the time she was 12 years old, Ms. Sauvageau was creating her own wardrobe and by age 16, selling her original creations. As her skills grew she broadened her experience with costume design, soft sculpture, jewelry making and painting.

As a freelance designer Ms. Sauvageau has costumed over 50 theatrical productions as well as creating inflatable costumes for parades and promotional events. She is an expert patternmaker as well as an accomplished designer.

Ms. Sauvageau believes in giving back to the community that inspires her. She has shared her time and efforts with a variety of organizations over the years. Her volunteer activities have included costume design and fundraising for Illusions Children's Theatre, art direction for the Ojai Mardi Gras Benefit Ball, and she leads the creation of a 50-ft Diameter Mandala  annually for Ojai Day. The Mandala is the largest Public Art piece in Ojai.

River has a dedicated spiritual path on the Red Road, the Native American spiritual path. She has experienced many losses in her life and has come to understandings through what she has lived. As a Ceremonialist and helper she is in her eldership and feels a deep calling to share with and help others on their paths. 

From her many years of involvement with the Native American Church and her skills as a maker, she started making ceremonial tipis in 2006. 

 

Ms. Sauvageau's committment to quality and creative integrity is reflected in all aspects of her work.

 

"I have come to understand that doing business is about creating and developing relationships - on many levels. As a craftswoman I have developed relationships with the materials I use, with proportion and shape, constuction techniques, finished products and with my line, as a whole. The longer I work at my craft, the more refined it becomes.

"My relationships with my clients are equally important to me; meeting the interesting and beautiful women who come in for my bags and who become my friends. As an artist and businesswoman I can respond directly to their needs. This has enabled me to develop my products and to more fully round out my line. Indeed, several of my bags were originally inspired by customers' requests.

"Being able to respond to my clients' needs provides a service that is rare in today's retail enviroment. At Studio Sauvageau I have created a beautiful and comfortable enviroment for sharing my work.

"I warmly invite you to come and experience Studio Sauvageau for yourself."

-River Lisa Sauvageau

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