For decades, Salomon has been a cornerstone of performance wear, shaped by its long history and proximity to the mountains. Born in the Alps, the brand built its reputation by solving real problems for athletes and creating refined pieces and equipment that are functional. In recent years, that technical credibility has been joined by a growing presence in culture, design and collaboration, expanding Salomon’s influence well beyond sport. However, the foundation of the brand, aside from its products and collaborations, lies in the individuals responsible for the daily innovation, including the designers, prototypists and engineers who are continuing the brand's legacy.

That human story is the focus of Shaping New Futures, a new short film produced by NOWNESS and directed by Catherine Hyland. Set inside the picturesque Salomon Annecy Design Centre, the film showcases the studios, workshops, and alpine testing grounds to reveal how ideas take form, and show us the real people who are working behind the scenes. Through the voices and practices of the creative team – including Sylvain Merlin, Conception-Marie Chaves, Victor Brousseaud, and Aloïse Dugourgeot – it gives an insight into what really goes on at the headquarters of the brand.

Below, four of the creatives from Salomon HQ talk us through their journey, career highlights and what they have learnt from working for the brand. Watch the film on NOWNESS here.

CONCEPTION-MARIE CHAVES

A prototypist in R&D at Salomon, Conception-Marie Chaves brings deep hands-on craftsmanship to footwear development, bridging ideas and reality through stitching, construction, and problem-solving. Grounded in collaboration and knowledge sharing, she focuses on refining practical details that make products work better in everyday use.

“I’m a prototypist, a seamstress: I work with fabrics and materials to make prototypes for Salomon shoes and boots. I am always discovering new things; there are always new ways to work, including how to reduce the impact of our materials and products. 

We’re always busy, time flies when you work at Salomon! People are always at the heart of what we do, and we are all brave. You need to be autonomous and also share with others. It’s nice, I don’t find it hard to get up in the morning! I start by checking my physical planning, I wasn’t born in the digital era! Then I have to find time to work with all the pattern makers, work on prototypes, help my colleagues and share with my team on ongoing projects. I spend most of my time cutting, assembling, teaching and sharing.

You need to be meticulous in this job, and for that, you need to be patient. You need to be humble and accept criticism in order to improve. Be yourself, and accept that no one is perfect.”

ALOÏSE DUGOURGEOT

An R&D specialist with training in pedorthics, Aloïse Dugourgeot works at the intersection of performance footwear, craftsmanship, and medical insight. From early prototypes to final testing, she plays a hands-on role in ensuring products deliver comfort, precision, and durability for athletes and everyday users alike.

“My job consists of pattern making. In other words, creating patterns similar to those used for clothing, but this time for cross-country ski boots. To summarise, the designer creates a 2D drawing, and my goal is to transform that drawing into a 3D prototype. What I enjoy most is creating the first prototypes and then testing them in the field. It’s very exciting to see whether what we’ve made works well or if there are areas that need improvement.

Working at Salomon is very stimulating. The projects we work on are innovative, and the team is always motivated. When I started, I felt pressure to prove myself quickly. I wish I had known that growth takes time and that it’s OK not to have everything figured out at the beginning. Over time, I’ve learned that asking questions, staying curious, and embracing challenges are actually the fastest ways to grow. Confidence comes from experience, and fortunately, I have great colleagues I can rely on when I encounter difficulties. One standout memory from my time at Salomon was seeing our product in action during events and test days. There’s something powerful about realising that the work we do directly supports people’s passions and adventures.

Never stop being curious. Even when research and testing don’t bring immediate results, you must keep persevering, rely on experienced people, and remain open-minded; all of this will contribute to successful projects and professional fulfilment.”

SYLVAIN MERLIN

An industrial designer educated at Strate School of Design, Sylvain Merlin has built a long career shaping snowboard bindings and, more recently, leading exploratory design to uncover new value territories. His work centres on responsible innovation, from upcycling initiatives like “Trash Is Gold” to inclusive projects such as adaptive snowboarding solutions.

“My main mission is to design the snowboard bindings range. Continuously monitoring market trends, my role is to combine style and functionality through a creative approach, with the objective of developing concepts that have strong identities, remain coherent with the brand, and are meaningful for our users.

My favourite part is using the power and magic of design to convey emotion through the stories carried by each creation, leveraging both performance and beauty. Every day brings new challenges. Working at Salomon is a deeply human and exciting adventure, shared by passionate people who place innovation at the service of outdoor sports. 

In 2024, we carried out the first on-snow test of the ADAPTIVE snowboard prosthesis project. As our Parateam athletes, Sarah Legrand and Luca Liens, walked with their prostheses toward the gondolas, we crossed paths with young ski school students. In that precise moment, I could read in the eyes of those very young riders – discovering disability for the first time – not compassion, but admiration. That instant revealed the full power of design to change perception, and reminded me exactly why I do this work.

Rules are meant to be challenged, because the only real limits are the ones we create for ourselves. To open new fields of value and extend or redefine the boundaries of what is possible, the real challenge is projecting yourself into zones of discomfort or risk while still ensuring the long-term sustainability of the system in which you operate.

Curiosity and empathy are a designer’s greatest allies. Be curious and empathetic. Take an interest in others, especially in what does not naturally interest you, because richness lies in diversity. Share your ideas, desires, and dreams with as many people as possible. Push your limits, and trust yourself.”

VICTOR BROUSSEAUD

Victor Brousseaud is a ski designer whose work blends visual identity, performance, and emotion, drawing as much from art and street culture as from engineering. He collaborates closely with cross-functional teams to create skis that balance aesthetics and function while staying true to the brand’s DNA.

 “I am in charge of the creative direction of all our alpine skis (excluding Nordic skis and snowboards). This involves transforming inspirations and marketing briefs into an optimal product aesthetic. My favourite part of the job is the moment when we decide which direction to take. I know the creative and productive phase is about to begin. That's when I feel I have real value.

For me, working at Salomon is a real opportunity to combine my skills with my passion for skiing. I am also very proud to be part of a culture that enriches me every day. Right now, we’re living the Cortina Winter Olympics at 100%. We start by discussing our athletes' performances, then I usually chat with my closest design teammates to review current projects. I'm not a big fan of meetings, but they're part of the job. Most of my day is spent creating designs from mood boards or finalising technical files.

We’re fortunate to be able to showcase our craft through its visual aspect. Don't wait until you have a job or get into a prestigious school to demonstrate your abilities. If you dream of designing skis one day, sketch a shape and apply your designs to it.”

Shaping New Futures is now live on NOWNESS.