In love with fashion, clean cuts and beautiful materials since she was a tender age, Ophelie developed her eyes for quality and excellence at the World Luxury house Louis Vuitton where she was a Quality Manager for 15 years. The birth of his two kids pushed her to reconsider their lifestyle. Now she lives following essential values giving preference to a local and responsible economy. From love for his kids is born Jolee Môme, a lovely, soft, original brand for kids shoes. I meet Ophelie and she tells me about this her fantastic adventure.
When was the brand born?
Seven years ago. I found the baby shoes was very beautiful. I was inspired by my daughter. The philosophy of the brand regarding my experience in Louis Vuitton where I worked for 14 years and the high quality products made in France, for kids. I choose baby shoes because this products inspired me. But I’d like to create something also for the family and other things for kids.
Why did you choose the name Jolee Môme?
My kids inspired this project. The name is the combination of the name of my son and daughter. Joan and Lee. Mom in French is another way to say Kids. For example the famous movie who won the Oscar La Vie en rose (La Môme) dedicated to the life of the French singer Édith Piaf interpreted by Marie Cotillard. For the designer of the brand I choose a rabbit. The nose is a diamond, because kids are the diamonds of their parents.
What does elements inspired your collection?
I want to build a sweet, soft, cozy environment for the kids with my products. So that’s why I decided to put fluffy part outside so that kids can touch it. My intention is to design shoes and details that the kids will love it. The parents found funny the baby shoes of their kids. Now they’re asking the shoes for themselves as well. For summer collection my inspiration came from a visit in an African museum where I saw some masks with graphics from West Africa. I drew it and my manufacture tried to represent it embroideries on the leather. I’m inspiring everyday everywhere I go and from everything I meet.
Do you produce in France?
Yes.
What do you thing about fast fashion?
Fast Fashion is everywhere. But people now are searching a deeper value. They want to return to something basic. I’m seeing that slow fashion has more and more designers and more customers. I can see a raise the people that they want adopts a slow way of life for themselves.
How is your typical day?
I try to have a daily routine. Monday accounting, Thursday design but in fact I have so many things to do. I try to do as much as I can. From the morning to the evening and night. Like a big bazaar. From 6pm to 8 pm is dedicated to kids. Dinner, bring them to sleep… after that I restart to work.
What is creativity for you?
Being inspired by everything. Inspired by my kids. Inspired from travels. I don’t like conformism. I wanna do something totally different.
And what about your future projects?
At the end of April was born Liam my third baby. I am so thankful for the chance to have this feeling again, 7 years after i gave Birth to my daughter. So much love already during pregnancy. Then I felt in crazy in love at first sight with my baby boy, and i am totally found of his little hand and little feet! My toddlers are so proud to welcome baby Liam in the family! As a business women, or I must say as a business mum, i am managing my time between taking care of my baby and family and managing very exciting New projects with my team to be launched by September : bigger size of our best seller so also the adult can enjoy it and new range of the leatherwood products. When you are a business woman you cannot have a break!
Which book are you reading now?
The Bible. I’m religious in my heart but I don’t practice too much. My kids are going to take baptism. For me is an opportunity to read it again and fix my self with that. But in general I don’t have a lot of time to read. I love to read Indian books because I absolutely fascinated from India. I went there 4 years ago with my sisters. I was inspired a lot. I’d like to create a collection inspired from Indian Art. I’d like to create some capsule collections inspired from the countries. And I’d like to help an association who take care of the kids.
Do you have some advices for young women who want create their own business?
I think is important to have an experience before in a company. I see more and more young people who finish the school and they start a business. I think is important have a first experience in a company so you can do mistakes and learn. I worked in a great company and I learned a lot of things in a different area. Now I feel more confident. The other advice is believe in ourself. If you trust in yourself is the 50% of the the work done.
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