PETITE A: TRANSPARENCY, FRAGILITY, AND THE ART OF FIRE AT Premiere Classe

As Premiere Classe once again gathered the most visionary emerging designers, Petite A stood out with its ethereal craftsmanship and poetic use of glass as a main creative medium.

 The brand, founded by Anaïs, explores the duality of fragility and strength through its delicate yet empowering jewellery creations. Rooted in Anaïs’ thesis project in Barcelona, Petite A transforms liquefied materials into wearable art, creating jewelry pieces that reflect the power and strength of  light, movement, and emotional storytelling through unique materials.

From an academic concept to artisanal reality


Petite A began as an academic experiment, an introspective response to the shifting world we were all witnessing during the 2020 pandemic. “I was studying design in Barcelona when the lockdown happened,” Anaïs recalls. “Everything became digital, but I needed to work with my hands. That’s when I started looking for tangible materials to express my creative vision.”


At first, she experimented with ceramics but felt disconnected from it. Then, one of her university professors introduced her to glass crafts and properties —not as an artisan, but as a designer. “I realized that I wanted to merge craftsmanship and design through my own process and interpretation ,” she details. Seeking mentorship, Anaïs approached a master glassblower in Barcelona. “I took an intensive two-day workshop and never left. I stayed in his workshop, making my own pieces while sharpening the mastering of glass crafts.”


What began as an Instagram portfolio of a university project soon evolved into a full-fledged jewelry brand. “For my final thesis project, I created a jewelry collection entirely made out of glass, mainly inspired by the pandemics’ ongoings,” she remembers. “From there, Petite A became something tangible with a potential of real expression within the global creative landscape.”

Glass and Fire: Fragility as empowering element


At the heart of Petite A stands the paradox of fragility and resilience. “Glass is stereotyped as fragile, delicate, easily broken,” Anaïs explains. “And at that time, I must admit I somehow felt broken too as an individual.” But working with fire changed that perspective. “Melting and reshaping glass became a way of reshaping myself. It was a process of transformation—solid to liquid to solid again, yet stronger again and more defined.”


Fire, with its raw intensity, became a metaphor for empowerment. “It is  rather hypnotic,” she dmits. “Fire demands full presence. There’s something incredibly powerful about taking something delicate, exposing it to extreme heat, and making it into something lasting and stronger through a process of matter weakening.”


Transparency, reflection, and movement are central to her designs. “Glass captures light in a way that no other material does. It has an ephemeral quality but also a capacity to project some kind of magic to whomever might look it into with deep attention. I never design with a fixed image in mind—I work with the material and let it guide me through the whole creative journey I engage into when shaping new pieces.”

The evolution of Petite A creative narrative


As Petite A matured, so did its artistic direction. “The first time we showcased at Premiere Classe, everything felt as a new experience,” Anaïs remembers. “This year, our message is clearer, more defined. We’re more aware of how people perceive the brand and how we want to communicate our identity to the fairs’ visitors.”


The duality in Anais’ work—soft yet strong, liquid yet solid—remains a key theme. “At first, I was very conscious of this contrast between fire and fragility,” she reflects. “Now, after four years of working with glass, it’s so ingrained in my process that I don’t even think about it anymore. It’s instinctual.”

Her designs, jewelry pieces as well as crafted decorative glasses, have also become more fluid while reflecting  natural forms surrounding human beings. “I draw inspiration from water—the way it moves, the way it shifts between states,” she says. “My goal is to freeze that fluidity into something tangible, to maintain the sense of movement even when the material solidifies.”


A new experience within Premiere Classe


This year’s Premiere Classe was different for Petite A. “We’ve built stronger relationships with buyers and returning clients,” Anaïs notes. “Last year, we were new—it was all about discovery. Now, people recognize us. They remember the brand, they come back.”


The physical setup of the trade show also played a major role in my overall experience. “This time, the global layout was more organized, more intentional. Every stand had visibility. Last year, the exhibition was more divided, but now there’s a clear flow for visitors to get a global vision of each showcasers.”

Anaïs also highlights how this current edition stood out as more strategic on a commercial point of view. “Last time, we had a huge influx of people, but this year, the interest feels more thoughtful. People are asking deeper questions. There’s more reflection, more intent and interest in the actual creative vision within the exhibited pieces we displayed. ”One of the biggest shifts has been in how buyers approach glass jewelry to her consideration:. “Many clients last year hesitated because they weren’t sure how to market glass pieces in general — As it is indeed different from traditional jewelry. Althought now, they understand its all about uniqueness and resistance for a regular use. They better perceive our pieces durability and resistance while still valuying the storytelling and intention laying within each design of ours .”


Why Paris, Why Premiere Classe?


Paris has always felt like a natural home and “window”  for Petite A. “When I first thought about where to showcase my work, I imagined small, curated boutiques that value craftsmanship and detail,” Anaïs admits. “And I must admit Paris is full of them!”


The city’s international pull also plays a considerable  role. “We’ve noticed that our glass and pearl designs resonate deeply with Asian buyers—especially in China, Korea, and Japan. They appreciate the artistry and technical skill behind the pieces we’be been displaying so far..”


For Anaïs, Premiere Classe remains a vital platform. “It’s not just about exposure—it’s about the way they support emerging brands. They don’t just give us a space; they guide us, help us, and support us in refining our presentation, and creating opportunities to display our creation as actual creatives rather than sales people.”


The trade show’s curation sets it apart. “It’s not just about having a spot—it’s about being placed in a setting that aligns with our creative identity,” she states “That’s something unique and valuable to Premiere Classe that we, as an exhibiting brand, value to the highest considerations..”

A message of clarity and intention for the brand’s future…

 

What’s next for Petite A? “Our vision is clearer than ever,” Anaïs says. “This year, we’ve refined our message”, and the response from buyers reflects that.Her goal is to continue deepening the brand’s identity while staying true to its origins.” – “We are constantly evolving, but the essence of Petite A—fragility, transformation and  empowerment—will always remain our core direction to creating further collections….”


As the brand solidifies its presence in the international fashion scene, Anaïs remains committed to the core of her work: “Creating something delicate yet strong, capturing a fleeting moment in a timeless form.” Within each new collection, Petite A continues to redefine the intersection of craftsmanship, emotion, and artistry in the jewelry industry — moltening fragments of glass within a continuous storytelling line, engraved in our current timeline and values as creatives and customers.

Yann Jobard Setzu

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