Born in Chicago, USA.

Educated in France, having passed through the Sorbonne, in Paris, she specialized in tourism and worked in various countries in Europe as well the Bahamas.

Married to Henri Lambert, she participated in the project of Redu (the village of second-hand books) in the Ardennes, Belgium. The art gallery “Le Bateau Ivre” they created became one of the most referenced and specialized gallery in contemporary art and sculpture in Belgium.

With two adopted children, in 1993, the couple left for France and created the “Bleu de Lectoure”. The idea was to re-discovered an historical colour “Dyer’s Woad – Isatis tinctoria” and incorporate it in modern industry, creating a link between history and futur.

After the unexpected death of Henri her husband, she took over the company and besides the important work load, assures the research with the University of Toulouse on various applications of Woad, the development of new products as well as the numerous contacts from worldwide press.

Denise moved to a little village outside of Toulouse which was the historical region of the woad in the 14^th and 15^th century. She created a new company called “L’Atelier des Bleus Pastel d’Occitanie” and continues her passion for this extraordinary blue She also is a lecturer, gives dye workshops, actively participates in historical and cultural events in the entire world, is a consultant for museums and the only recognized referent for woad.

“Woad the European Indigo – From History to Industry”

The company was created 20 years ago on the simple purchase of an old 15^th century tannery and the view of the beautiful old blue tint of the shudders. This is how simple passion can be started.

The challenge was to re-discover an ancient colour, the techniques of extraction and apply all of this knowledge to a more modern orientation.

After many years of research as well as countless hours of error/correction, we are now innovating on the many different sources the plant can give.

The range of products is vast and the challenge is to convince industries that most of the synthetic colours can be replaced by plant or mineral pigments. It’s just common sense and adaptation for a better environment.