FAQ: The Bestiaire Collection – Maison Fauve's Wildly Elegant Capsule

Maison Fauve Unveils The Bestiaire Capsule Collection

The Bestiaire, is where prints take centre stage. Beneath the blazing sun, in a raw, mineral landscape, animal motifs reveal their irresistible allure. The tiger prowls boldly across our new viscose jacquards, shines brightly on soft viscose poplin, and even reinvents itself as a striking zebra print.

Joining this wild menagerie are the Ocello and Pantera jacquards, stars of last winter's collection, alongside our iconic Leo print, which has adorned our poplins for several seasons. Together, they create a Bestiaire collection with an unmistakably Maison Fauve spirit - bold, elegant and unapologetically wild.

This capsule also introduces two brand-new summer patterns: the Lioness draped top and the Peacock turn-up shorts. Designed to complement the Natural High collection, they capture the effortless ease and sun-drenched elegance of summer dressing.

👉 Discover The Bestiary Capsule Collection

👉 Discover The Bestiary Lookbook

Key pieces from the capsule

The Peacock shorts pattern

The Peacock shorts redefine the summer staple with their beautifully structured silhouette, stitched pleats, discreet hidden pockets and elegant turn-up cuffs. Designed for effortless sophistication, Peacock strikes the perfect balance between comfort and style. The fit is relaxed without being oversized, while the carefully considered length makes them versatile enough for every occasion, from laid-back summer days to more polished looks.

Fabric suggestions: Peacock has been tested and approved in gabardine, medium-weight jacquard, Tencel dupion, linen, cotton and denim. Whether you prefer a casual, structured or more sophisticated look, this versatile pattern adapts beautifully to a wide range of fabrics and styles.

The Lioness top pattern

The Lioness top is far more than its beautifully draped neckline. Cut on the bias, it skims the body with a fluid, feminine silhouette and an elegant drape that feels effortlessly couture. Its wide straps make it both comfortable and practical, allowing it to be worn with a bra while maintaining its refined lines.

Fabric suggestions: Lioness is designed exclusively for woven fabrics. Fluid fabrics will enhance the beauty and movement of the cowl neckline. We have sewn it in dupion, viscose poplin, lightweight viscose jacquard and Tencel, all with stunning results.

Whether you choose a minimalist solid fabric or a bold statement print, the Lioness top adapts effortlessly to your style while retaining its timeless elegance.

Striking fabrics for unique creations

The Tiger jacquard

Viscose jacquard has become a signature fabric within the Maison Fauve Fabric Library.  Renowned for its fluid drape and subtle sheen, it takes on a whole new dimension with our tiger weave, adding an unexpected twist to this much-loved quality.

As you may have noticed, tiger motifs have joined leopard prints as a fashion favourite in recent seasons. Here, the woven pattern acts almost like a textured solid, bringing depth and character to your garments while remaining easy to wear.

Available in four distinctive colourways, this jacquard offers a variety of styles and moods, from understated elegance to bold statement dressing.

• ecru

• smoky

• magenta

• black

The Savage print

Our new Savage print is truly something special. Hand-painted in watercolour, its flowing brushstrokes bring a sense of artistry and softness, creating a print that feels both unique and poetic. The scale of the tiger stripes has been carefully designed to make a statement without overwhelming the silhouette, striking the perfect balance between boldness and elegance. Through a clever play of colour, Savage even transforms into a striking zebra-inspired print- more daring, yet just as irresistible.

Savage poplin

Soft, lightweight and beautifully fluid, this fabric is perfect for creating garments that are as comfortable as they are striking. Imagine a stunning Linger dress for balmy summer evenings, a goddess-worthy Lioness top, or a Skyline shirt that brings a bold twist to polished power dressing.

Available in:

• Cumin tiger

• Off-white zebra

Very Fauve fabrics

The Maison Fauve Fabric Library is filled with treasures that perfectly complement The Bestiaire capsule collection. Our signature jacquards shimmer with delicate gold threads, while leopard motifs take centre stage with effortless elegance. (Re)discover these beautiful fabrics and find the perfect match for your next handmade creation:

• the Pantera lurex light weight cotton jacquard

• the Ocello medium-weight jacquard

• the Leo viscose poplin

FAQ's – All about The Bestiaire

❓ What are the differences between the LIONESS top and the TEMPÊTE blouse?

The construction is very different:

• the drape on the Tempête blouse is created by pleats, while that on the Lioness is due to the bias cut

• the depth of the neckline is much more significant on the Lioness top: it is a true cowl neckline that exposes the neck, whereas the Tempête blouse sits much higher

• the bodice of Lioness is more fitted, and plays on the bias of the fabric

• Lioness is constructed with straps, and does not require a zipper unlike the sleeveless version of the Tempête blouse

❓ Can I lengthen the Lioness top into a dress?

The bodice of the pattern is cut on the bias, which gives the top its signature close-fitting silhouette and elegant drape. While it is possible to lengthen the design into a dress, doing so will require careful fitting and pattern adjustments to ensure sufficient ease through the hips and a balanced, flattering drape. We therefore recommend making a toile first to test and refine your modifications. Working with a bias-cut garment requires particular attention, and a dress version will need to be carefully adapted to achieve the desired fit and fluidity.

❓ Can I raise the neckline of the Lioness top?

The shape of the cowl neckline has been carefully designed to balance the height of the upper bodice with the natural drape created by the bias-cut construction. Raising the neckline will alter this balance and may affect the way the fabric falls. While modifications are possible, they will require some patternmaking experience and we strongly recommend testing any changes on a toile first. Several rounds of adjustments may be needed to achieve the desired neckline while preserving the elegant drape that defines the Lioness top.

❓ Can I do a Full Bust Adjustment (FBA) on the Lioness top?

The Lioness top does not include a traditional bust dart, and no bust adjustment was required during pattern testing across a range of body shapes. However, if you would like to perform a Full Bust Adjustment, it is entirely possible. The adjustment can be made by adding a bust dart and then adapting its intake according to your measurements. We recommend following the step-by-step guidance provided in our free custom sewing guide to help you make the necessary modifications while maintaining the balance and drape of the design.

❓ Can sleeves be added to the Lioness top pattern?

The Lioness top was not designed with an armhole shape suitable for adding sleeves. Its wide straps and carefully drafted armholes are intended to provide comfortable coverage while remaining bra-friendly. Adding sleeves would require substantial pattern modifications, including redrafting the armhole and creating a sleeve pattern to match. It would also involve adapting the construction process. For this reason, we do not recommend this alteration unless you have advanced patternmaking experience.

❓ What are the differences between the Peacock, Grand Bain and Bélem shorts patterns?

While all three patterns share a relaxed summer spirit, their construction and design details are quite different.

• Peacock features elegant turn-up cuffs, whereas Grand Bain has a simple hem finish. The back of Grand Bain is embellished with decorative pocket flaps, while Peacock features functional patch pockets. Peacock's pockets are cleverly concealed within the front pleats, whereas Grand Bain uses a distinctive Italian pocket construction. The length and leg width are relatively similar between the two designs.

• Belem is originally a trouser pattern, with instructions provided for shortening it into shorts. Peacock fastens with an invisible side zip, while Belem features a front fly opening. Peacock has a structured waistband with no elastic at the back, unlike Belem. The front pleats are constructed differently: on Peacock they remain stitched and structured, whereas on Belem they open out and extend into the waistband, creating a belt-loop effect. Peacock has a slightly narrower leg opening. Peacock includes genuine patch pockets at the back, while Belem features decorative pocket flaps.

These details give Peacock its own distinctive silhouette: polished, structured and effortlessly elegant.

❓ Can I lengthen the Peacock shorts into trousers?

The cut of the shorts provides ease; you will get trousers with a wide leg by lengthening the side and inseam lines of the leg.

❓ Can I remove the cuff from the Peacock shorts?

Can I make the Peacock shorts without the cuffs?

Absolutely. To remove the cuffs, simply use the "cuff fold line" as the finished length of the shorts.You will then need to redraw the side seam and inseam so that they meet neatly at the new hemline. Don't forget to add your preferred hem allowance before cutting your fabric.

❓ Is the Lioness top suitable for beginners?

Is the Lioness top suitable for beginners?

The Lioness top is a quick project with relatively few pattern pieces, making it an enjoyable sew. The main challenge lies in the cutting stage, as the pattern pieces are cut on the bias, which can make the fabric more prone to shifting and stretching during handling. However, the construction itself is straightforward and does not include complex techniques such as zips, button plackets or intricate tailoring details. By choosing an easy-to-sew fabric, such as our dupioni or cotton poplin, and following the free video tutorial, Lioness can be successfully sewn by makers of all skill levels, including confident beginners looking to expand their sewing experience.

❓ Is the Tiger jacquard difficult to sew with?

This fabric is a 100% viscose jacquard, featuring a subtle interplay of matte and satin areas that creates its distinctive "faux solid" effect while beautifully revealing the tiger motif. The fabric has no directional nap or print, meaning it can be used on either side according to the look you wish to achieve.

Its silky handle gives it a fluid drape, but also makes it slightly slippery to work with. If you are new to sewing with viscose jacquards, we recommend choosing patterns with simple construction and a limited number of pieces to make handling the fabric easier and minimise distortion during sewing.

For the best results, use fine, sharp needles such as Microtex needles, which are particularly well suited to lightweight and fluid fabrics.

❓ Can prints and textures be mixed?

Can I mix and match the fabrics from The Bestiaire collection?

Absolutely - that's at the very heart of The Bestiaire capsule. In our Clash the Rhythm collection, we introduced a new gabardine available in black, navy and mastic. These shades pair beautifully with the new SAVAGE print. Whether you choose the Cumin Tiger or Off-White Zebra colourway, the neutral-toned backgrounds make these prints surprisingly easy to combine with other fabrics.

The black and ecru versions of the TIGER jacquard work almost like solid fabrics, making them ideal companions to the SAVAGE print. They add texture and depth without competing with the pattern.

Our TIGER jacquards also bring gabardines to life. Combinations such as navy and smoky, navy and ecru, or an all-black look create effortlessly sophisticated outfits. For those who love a bolder approach to print mixing, pairing the OCELLO jacquard with the new TIGER jacquards is another winning combination. And for a vibrant statement, the magenta TIGER jacquard looks stunning alongside denim blue and is equally striking when paired with crisp white.

The Bestiaire collection was designed to encourage creative combinations, so don't be afraid to mix textures, colours and animal motifs to create a look that feels uniquely yours.

❓ What colours is the Tiger jacquard available in?

The beauty of viscose jacquard lies in the alternation of matte and satin areas, which acts like a faux solid. We have 4 colours on offer, from the most timeless to the boldest: Ecru, Smoky Black, and Magenta.

❓ Where can I discover the Maison Fauve collection?

You can explore the new collection on our website in the section dedicated to The Bestiaire capsule. A lookbook is also available online, allowing you to discover the new patterns and fabrics before the collection launches on Tuesday 2 June at 9am. You can also browse the new arrivals directly within the dedicated Sewing Patterns and Fabrics categories. Video tutorials for the new patterns will be available in the Tutorials section, under the Pattern Assembly Videos submenu.

And for an even closer look behind the scenes, a dedicated podcast episode presenting the capsule will soon be available on the Maison Fauve YouTube channel.

Conclusion

With The Bestiaire, Maison Fauve unveils a creative, daring and endlessly inspiring spring-summer capsule collection. Whether you choose a subtle touch of animal print or embrace a head-to-toe statement look, this collection invites you to unleash your creativity and craft unique handmade garments with undeniable style.

Now it's your turn to tame the wildest of felines and make The Bestiaire your own!