Interviews with Edalou Paris

I feel I have always been designing. Since little I used to draw rooms and decorate them. I used to reconstruct the dolls dresses but the creative side really comes from dancing and working in commercials and seeing how a story can be told. I did not go to fashion or art school so the technical aspects have been self taught and acquired on the go as pieces are created and by making lots of mistakes.

The creation of a piece that can be used in several different ways is something that really motivates me. Something that has a purpose a meaning more than it being a fashion item.

I wanted to be a dancer, became a financial professional for practicality and ended up becoming a designer due to destiny and the pursuit of what gives me passion in life.

I design multifunctional fashion accessories that can be used in many different ways.

The should feel and analyze what gives them purpose and passion... and do just that. Learn graphic design and digital marketing and be surrounded by talented and cooperative individuals. Understand how a business works is also very important.

I think designers need to balance their ideas with the needs of potential clients in a way that it does not put your creative values in jeopardy.

A harmonious balance between: Function, Innovation & Aesthetics

Because it's timeless...

IF it still existed... would love to design for Henri Bendell.

On my brand a bigger version of La Coucou bag.

Patience and perseverance ....and lots of imagination. Storytelling!

Apple & Chanel :) Both created revolutions in their industries and changed the way we do and wear things. An I-phone permits you to do almost everything from the palm of your hand and the integration with the other products from the brand is flawless and so useful. Chanel completely introduced casual/sport wear, revolutionize how we wear a handbag and inspired new generations of designers to continue to challenge standards.

I-phone where dreams can come true! Literally in the palm of your hand. LV classic handbags, Chanel Jewelry, Bandolier phone cases- these permit you to carry on with your day hands free and always have your phone with you.

La Coucou Bag. The bag uses just one chain to transform itself into 4 different styles by adding two additional D rings with a particular placement so the chain can be accommodated perfectly for each style. The materials used are pure rock n roll to get out there and rock at everything you do!

I tried to learn the aspects, technicals, knowledge I needed to be a good head designer but also knowing my limitations and leaving the expert to their thing so I could concentrate on the efforts of designing I do best which are thinking the why, for who, and how? Also every designer should have graphic design background.

I was a finance professional before being a designer and would have probably would like to be in the performing arts.

Define is everything that surrounds us ..mostly in a tangible way. The chair we seat, the gadgets we use at home, the paintings we have on our walls, the buildings in our street. You can argue also that you can have design intangibles like how you love, how you live your life.

The women that surround and empower my life starting with my mom and my girlfriends!

I think it is a continuous process that never ends. To reach this moment in my design work it can be mostly attributed to the combination of my life experiences, the good and the bad.

I would say the biggest obstacle is yourself. Fearing how can I be a designer without art or fashion school. Could I really call myself a designer? how can I get a reputation? Double guessing yourself etc.

Designers should present their work however they envisioned it... digital, in an event, collaboration with others, small audience etc.

My next project is to continue to grow the Coucou collection into bigger handbags, jewelry, hair accessories and other lifestyle products.

My ultimate goal is to provide women with a great design that they love and would like to wear forever. And yes I would like to be able to provide for my family and feel accomplished with my projects.

Lots of love, honesty and a genuine desire to create versatile and multifunctional products.

It helps create beautiful functioning things that help us enjoy life and make our lives easier.

Secret? no I can tell you.. I am doing research on jewelry and metals.

La Coucou open the doors to a whole new life that I dreamed of.

Months and even years! It takes time from the time the idea starts to how to bring it to life and particularly finding the people that will do the bag.

I start from a very personal place. Why do I need this? For what? How can it help others? and from that I start to brainstorm.

ROCK DANCE LOVE (Rock at everything you do, Dance off and let it go, Love effortlessly and passionately)

Design the life that you want to live.

The chicken or the egg question... I think it can work both ways.

I wish they would ask about the functional but also the emotional aspects of it. How does this product will make me feel?

Wow.. I wish I would have think of that!

Totally! Two brains think better than one! Two perspectives could add a totally different dimension to any design. I would like to design with any designer or artist that values functionality and aesthetics.

The women in my life!

Work in progress... still developing. We never stop learning and being better.

Sarah Blakely from Spanks to discuss entrepreneurship.

Color - shades of purple/pink Thing - my i-phone

Place - Home, Puerto Rico Brand - Apple

Food - Mexican tacos

Rookie mistakes are a learning experience! While looking for chains which has been a daunting experience. I took some chains to get a bath of gold so I could use them for handbags not knowing how expensive this process can be. When they gave me the invoice I almost had a heart attack!

When a person admires my work and desires to get it for herself means the world to me. I love working and doing what you love is the best motivation.

I don't think so... but you would have to ask my mom.

Design for me started with my passion for the "beaux arts". Since the age of three I study and practice dance and later on did modeling and theater. Being part of talent shows, commercials and campaigns for brands etc. taught me how to develop an idea and develop a story that will excite and inspire others.

Born from a journey of self-love and a relentless passion for design, Edalou is an accessories label based in Paris— created to meet women at the intersection of quality, functionality, and conscious style.

Each piece is conceived with multi-functional and versatile elements that appeal to a wide range of women looking for modern designs. We thoughtfully source luxury materials to create quality pieces with a message of self-love and empowerment for women everywhere.

Design is the blueprint of your life and everything around you has beauty and design. I believe you can design pieces but you can also design intangibles such as your life.. you can design the life you want to live. Which is part of why we have a mantra: Rock Dance Love

Rock at everything you do. Dace it off and let go Love effortlessly.

I love accessories.. since very young. I think you can change the way an outfit looks by just changing the accessories. I love designing multi functional pieces that can be timeless and be styled in multiple ways.

My favorite design is La Coucou handbag. It was inspired by my personal and business travels. It is a multifunctional cross body that can transform itself into neck, belt and clutch bag taking you day to night, New York to Paris. One bag with multiple possibilities.

A multi strap handbag. The bag would have different straps for different occasions.

My favorite materials are: leather, lace, tulle, velvet, sequins, metal hardware most recently.

I feel the most creative when I am dancing! Letting it all out. It helps me release all the creative energy. I am also very creative when I sleep. I try to solve problems when I sleep so I think about how to make a product better or how to solve a design problem that I am having etc.

The aspect I most think of is the multi facet concept the design can have. How can I make it more durable, usable in line with a more conscious buying mentality.

I feel alive! Filled with energy and positivity. Like the world suddenly became a better place. I think of how the piece would make the client wearing it feel. I want it to be a happy feeling, a powerful feeling.

When it is realized.. I feel like a child! Happy, hopeful and excited to be able to pass this same feeling to the person that will wear it.

I think a design will be successful if you believe in it and you put lots of passion and perseverance into it having the best quality and meaningfulness.

I would consider the objectives, the aesthetics and the construction but I would also consider the emotion. It has to bring an emotion on me.

We all have the responsibility to do our part. It is a difficult and high-cost initiative, especially for an independent designer but we know we have to keep looking for better ways to manufacture our products. There are things that we can do either with materials or your business process and model. More education is necessary to keep improving. Currently, in order to reduce our carbon footprint, the majority of our raw materials are intentionally sourced and processed in the quartier of Le Marais, near the manufacturing atelier.

We are committed to responsibly minimizing waste by utilizing all resources efficiently— in our packaging and other products when possible. For example, leather scraps are used to make some of our labels, and the scrap from our fabric lining and face masks are used to make the pochette of the Coucou Heart.

Lastly, we put emphasis on Pre-Orders and Made-to-Order directly to customers. This approach helps reduce unnecessary inventories, minimize waste, and creates equilibrium between supply and demand. In terms of society I believe that we should motivate, inspire and give back. I believe in mentoring, leading by example and giving back. I want to always partner with a like minded organization that promotes change, transformation and evolution for women. This month we are partnering with Bottomless Closet, an organization in New York that helps women prepare to enter the workforce by helping them with their interview skills, wardrobe, resume etc.

I feel that the design field is now open to anybody that would like to design and create thanks to the digital world and its digital tools.

My sources of inspiration are the mantras of my brand: ROCK DANCE LOVE Basically the example of my rockin mother, my experience in the "beaux arts" as a dancer, model, actor and the love for people.

My design style is practical with a rock n roll retro vibe. Every design is versatile and multifunctional which is important for me to create items that can have multiple possibilities.

I am originally from Puerto Rico in the middle of the Caribbean, lived in NYC for four years and I am now living in Paris. Definitely these cities have affected and inspired my designs. The soul and flavor of the tropics, the vivacity and energy of NYC and the beauty and aesthetics of Paris are ingrained on my creations.

Many times it starts in my dreams and then I wake up and start playing with a digital tool or my notebook! Then I buy materials and start playing. After that I go back and forth as to what worked or not. I then take it to the atelier and talk to them about what is really possible or not.

I-phone, Macbook Air, Airpods, Alexa and my soda stream maker!

Computer in the morning and errands around Les Marais district in the afternoon.

Learn social media and graphic design, website building etc.

It is hard because the compensation is definitely a delayed compensation and it takes time. I have said many times that working for the bank during the financial crisis of 2008 was easier than to be a designer ha!

Multifunctionality!

Some graphic design even if it is basic canva.

Great question! I sleep less many nights! I try to divide my days/hours into a computer day or morning and errands and visits to suppliers, ateliers etc.

It can take weeks but some can take a few hours. It depends on the complexity, material etc.

How did I made the transition from Finance.

All job experiences are important. For me my 15 years in finance have been crucial to keeping the business hat in place. Second my fashion experience working with other brands in Paris, NYC and San Juan that granted me the insides of how a brand makes the magic happens. Third my experience dancing, modeling, acting has taught me how to tell a story!

Playing around with the shape and functionality of the design. After that creating the digital content to promote them and share their story.

Expand the Coucou Collection and increase awareness for the brand so we can continue to make multifunctional products and at the same time inspire women to ROCK DANCE & LOVE.

The first designs I developed alone but now that EDALOU PARIS has been launched I have a small team of designers, stylists, content creators and graphic experts.

I want to grow La Coucou collection by exploring new materials and shapes.

eda@edalourdes.com

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