ATELIER - at·el·ier - (noun) From French, a workshop or studio, especially one used by an artist or designer. Late 17th century, from Old French astelle ‘splinter of wood’, from Latin astula.
QUALIA - kwa·li·a - (noun) The internal and subjective experience of sense perceptions. Qualia is the representation of the mental state that arise from stimulation of the senses.
Atelier Qualia & The Shaper
Qualia is a labor of love, a passion for artisanal work and a deep love for the ocean. Born and raised in Fleurines, France just outside of Paris, Fantine Capron aka FANF, would seem unlikely to become a boardbuilder and Atelier Qualia Surf founder. But as a lil’ French grom, she spent summers visiting family in Laguna Beach. Her Aunt Alisa Schwarzstein and Uncle Ian Cairns, both legendary former professional surfers, had Fantine surfing Southern California at a young age, from San’O, Trestles, Thalia St. up to Huntington Beach. Early childhood memories include running around under the bleachers at the US Open in HB, watching the inner workings of the surf industry. Little did she know, it would be her destiny. From her quaint village in the forests of Picardy, she moved to California permanently in 2018 to realize her childhood dream of surfing everyday of the year.
With a degree in Film, she entered the hustle of LA, and spent time documenting the Art Mural and graffiti scene in the DTLA’s, Arts District. She quickly shifted gears into hands-on fabrication for large Art Installations. It was an eye opening experience.
She worked for Art at the Rendon, alongside Artists Ralph Ziman and Nicholas Bonamy. With her new found skills of fiberglassing, sanding, woodworking and metalworking; she made the transition to Almar Surf Works, West side Santa Cruz, mentored closely by the legends Michel Junod and Jon Henderson (Strive Surfboards). Her family and a few local shapers have supported her journey, and have passed on some secrets to the craft and to the sport.
A.Q.S. is forever rooted in community, love, art, passion, and respect for the ocean.
As of 2025, Fanf glasses full-time out of Hotdog Glassing in Monterey, under the ownership of Mando Surf co. An excited and rewarding new chapter. Board-building comes with countless hours spent in the workshop collaborating, learning from one another and always getting closer to the perfect surfboard for the perfect wave. Every Qualia surfboard is shaped, then glassed and sanded by Fantine; yet, every one of her designs are alive and are growing, constantly climbing higher, back and forth from the Mentor to the Builder to the Surfer.
Along the many trails our hands leave behind, we hope to honor decades of heritage from legendary Board-builders and Surfers.
