Paramaz welcomes its customers with the mingled aromas of leather and freshly brewed espresso. Located in the heart of Paris, the café-atelier is a harmonious blend of creativity and cultural heritage. A 180-year-old Armenian carpet adorns the entrance wall, visible through the glass window, while handcrafted handbags are artfully displayed—each piece a testament to meticulous craftsmanship. In a cozy corner, a small coffee table invites patrons to a game of backgammon, the rhythmic clatter of dice enhancing the atmosphere. Founded and run by Hagop Markarian, this space is more than a shop; it is a celebration of culture, artistry and the timeless charm of leather crafting.
Markarian, a Lebanese-born Armenian, traces his craft back to deep family roots. He learned the art of leather craftsmanship at his family’s workshops in Bourj Hammoud, an Armenian suburb of Beirut. At just 11 years of age, he began working alongside his father and uncles—fourth-generation shoemakers who ran separate workshops in the 1990s. “I learned the skill through listening and attentive observation, and I soon started using the equipment,” he recalls, thinking back to his early days at the family’s workshops.
Leather craftsmanship, however, was just one part of the heritage passed down to him. The traditional Armenian work ethic was also an integral part of his upbringing. “My father and uncles never sat idle––they believed in being active contributors to the atelier’s success,” Markarian says. Following their example, he eagerly took on smaller tasks such as fetching leather from suppliers and cleaning up. “There was always something to do,” he says, noting how he was encouraged to learn, ask questions, and stay busy at the workshop.
When Markarian moved to Paris at age 23, his family’s values became his guiding principles, helping him navigate new opportunities. “With my family’s approach, I did not find obstacles in adapting to the work culture in France,” he explains. The lessons from Bourj Hammoud became the foundation for his success in Paris.
His journey in France, however, led him not to leather workshops, but to the food and beverage industry, where he began as a waiter in French restaurants. Language barriers and unfamiliarity with industry terms limited his prospects in leatherwork. “I feared invalidation from French employers,” he admits. Over the next 12 years, he refined his skills in Paris’ dining scene, working with Michelin-starred chef Cyril Lignac, mastering French, and deepening his understanding of local culture.
Chance brought him back to his field of expertise. While serving as a general manager at a restaurant, Markarian was tasked with repairing a torn leather bench. He skillfully fixed it using a sewing machine, and as he continued repairing furniture, the restaurant staff, recognizing his hidden talent, gifted him a sewing machine. “I experimented with the machine using leftover pieces of leather and had a revelation,” he shares. This pivotal moment led him to quit his job and establish his own workshop in Paris’s sixth arrondissement in 2018.
Markarian’s entrepreneurial journey began with fulfilling orders for local designers and brands, offering personalized repairs and creations. One of his first standout projects was crafting a punching bag for Cravan, a local bar, in honor of the Swiss poet and boxer. This collaboration led him to Marianna Stepanian, who became the creative director of Paramaz and would prove crucial in shaping the brand’s identity.
Stepanian worked closely with Markarian to highlight the workshop’s artistry and heritage. Together, they created Paramaz’s brand identity from the ground up, using social media and creative networking to reach new audiences. “We were very compatible in creating Paramaz’s image and did everything ourselves, from marketing to interior design and beyond,” Stepanian says.
Their shared pride in Armenian identity became a cornerstone of Paramaz. Collaborating with Armenian photographers, designers, and entrepreneurs, the leather goods workshop actively promotes Armenian culture. The café, for example, serves tea from a French Armenian entrepreneur who sources herbs from Armenia. “We tend to stay in our bubbles as Armenians, and now, we are opening doors to invite different cultures to fuse with ours,” Stepanian explains. “This is the power of Paramaz.”
While Paramaz offers business-to-business services like leather repair, maintenance, custom manufacturing, personalization, and dyeing, it has gained popularity for its leather workshops. These hands-on sessions give participants the opportunity to learn leather crafting under Markarian’s guidance. “It’s a whole experience from a consumer’s perspective,” Stepanian says. “Hagop explains the processes and the leather making techniques, and you leave with something you’ve made from scratch in two to three hours.” The workshops allow customers to work either individually or in teams to create custom leather items including bags, belts, card holders, eyeglass cases and phone cases.
At Paramaz, Markarian underscores the importance of sharing his culture and personal story. The coffee shop serves as more than an extension of the workshop—it’s a bridge to his childhood, weaving together past and present through sensory experience. “Growing up, I would always serve coffee in my family’s workshops,” he recalls with a smile. This memory inspired the café’s concept: a warm, welcoming space where visitors can enjoy coffee while immersing themselves in the Lebanese Armenian artistic world. In his workshops, Markarian shares stories from his childhood and career, fostering an intimate, educational atmosphere. Amanda Baker, a visitor from Canada, notes, “The methods used are very traditional and Hagop explains how leatherworking runs in his family.” She adds that despite her lack of prior experience with the craft, Markarian’s guidance made the workshops easy to follow and enjoyable.
Paramaz offers introductory workshops that cater to different interests and budgets, where participants create unique, handcrafted leather items. Workshops range from €70 for a cardholder to €80 for an eyeglass case and €95 for a leather belt. More advanced projects, such as leather bags or phone cases, are available at €195 each. Each workshop begins with an introduction to leatherworking tools and a leather color selection. Markarian teaches the “saddle stitch”—a durable technique using two needles and waxed linen thread—and participants can personalize their creations with initials. Each session includes a complimentary cup of coffee or tea, adding a warm, inviting touch to the experience.
Paramaz also showcases Markarian’s collection, Celeste, which features timeless, minimalist designs crafted from French leather tanned in Italy. “The pieces age beautifully over time, offering a truly unique craftsmanship experience,” he says.
For Hagop Markarian and Marianna Stepanian, Paramaz is more than a business, it’s a space where creativity, community and cultural pride converge. With its workshops, handcrafted goods, and inviting atmosphere, Paramaz transcends the boundaries of a traditional atelier. It’s a place where generations of artistry meet the vibrancy of modern Paris, where stories are shared, cultures blend, and dreams are crafted by hand.
