Steam, Cardboard, Craft: A Rare Look at an Endangered Craft...Pleating with Tony Gomez

Manual pleating is one of couture’s quietly powerful technique, and has been used in haute couture for over a century in France using nothing more than cardboard and steam. In this recorded conversation, Tony Gomez, President of Twins Pleating in LA, takes us inside one of the last ateliers in the United States still practicing this endangered craft by hand. Their pleats have appeared on red carpets and have dressed icons like Lady Gaga, Angela Bassett, Gwen Stefani, and Kylie Jenner. Their pleats have been featured in major productions such as Black Panther, The Joker, and Dancing with the Stars. This conversation offers a rare view into how couture pleating is made and why preserving this heritage craft still matters. It’s an endangered craft practiced by only a handful of artisans left in the world.