GOYARD'S ELUSIVE CREATIVE SOUL

FOR ERIC BLANCHI, THE INDIAN-ORIGIN CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF LUXURY HOUSE GOYARD, EACH DAY AT WORK IS LESS OF A JOB AND MORE OF A BRUSHSTROKE ON AN EVER-EVOLVING CANVAS. HIS STORY IS ONE BORN OF AMBITION, HERITAGE, AND A LIFELONG ROMANCE WITH ART AND DESIGN.

- BY VINOD NAIR

THE PEN MAY BE MIGHTIER than the sword. But for Eric Blanchi, it is the humble HB pencil that holds sway. Meticulously sharpened, it becomes his weapon of choice—carving entire worlds with the precision of its graphite tip. As the creative director of Goyard, the world’s oldest luxury brand, the designer with Indian roots says his role is to dream. “I am always dreaming about the various creative things one could do. My job is to dream, while for many others, this is a dream job!”

Goyard, the Paris-based brand that traces its history to 1792 (when it was established as Maison Martin before being rechristened to Maison Goyard in 1853 after Francois Goyard took over the reins), is among the most discreet and selective maisons. Known for its deep-rooted traditions, tightly guarded design language, and retail strategies, as well as a global footprint of only 35 boutiques, Goyard doesn’t just hire a creative director; it appoints a custodian of its legacy.

Hence, Blanchi’s journey to the helm of Goyard’s creative studio wasn't one born of ambition alone—it was shaped by roots, heritage, and a lifelong romance with art and design. And, perhaps, by chance!

SPIRIT OF JUGAAD'

Born to Tamilian parents in France, Blanchi encountered the magic of drawing early on—one of his first memories was being mounted on his father’s shoulder as magic unravelled on a canvas. “On a simple white sheet of paper, I could make anything appear... it felt like sorcery,” he says with childlike amusement. “To this day, every morning and evening, I still begin with that same ritual: a blank page and a basic HB pencil.”