Balaena, the Marseille brand reinventing the diving suit
Since 2004, Céline Galano and her associates have been running Balaena, a Marseille workshop that has established itself as a quality reference in the world of scuba diving. The tailor-made suits, hand-crafted in the Marseille workshops, are worn by both professionals and recreational divers… and have even captivated the haute couture world!
From construction to diving: the Balaena adventure
Before joining Balaena, Céline Galano worked in the construction sector alongside Patrick Morel. Through him, she met Bernard Di Nacera, founder of Balaena and the L’Atelier de la Mer center in Marseille. Together, they embarked on managing Balaena, manufacturing suits, and creating an accommodation space. « I found myself in a completely unknown universe, » she confides. Balaena, founded in 1994, was already recognized, but Céline wanted to inject her vision, revisiting the models and giving more color and style to existing creations. Without a stylist background, she surrounded herself with her team to transform patterns and offer more trendy and attractive designs.
Balaena, much more than a workshop: an eclectic accommodation space
« When we took over the company, our ambition was also to create an accommodation space, primarily intended for the diving center users, » explains Céline Galano. Today, the clientele has diversified: « We host civil security, trainees from INPP, high school or college students, rock climbing enthusiasts drawn by the Pointe-Rouge cliffs, tourists, or even young people reintegrating through theater. » The openness and dynamism of Balaena have contributed to making this place a cosmopolitan hub.
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