The French brand Le Carrousel is inviting you to a sweet and poetic winter. A true fairy tale where little girls in golden brocard skirts and tulle pompom headbands run down the stairs of an enchanted castle. They whisper secrets to their beloved white knight, dressed in lurex wool trousers and stars sweaters. Meanwhile babies are dreaming in liberty and powder silk.
Time for an interview with the founder / designer of Le Carrousel, meet Marie Laure Renier.
Tell us a little about your background? How did you come to be a children’s fashion designer?
Sewing is something that has been passed on to me by all the women in my family. My paternal great aunts used to make shirts for famous couture houses, my grandmother and my mother learned this profession as well and passed on their knowledge to me.
La couture est quelque chose qui m’ a été transmis par toutes les femmes de ma famille . Mes grand tantes paternelles réalisaient des chemises pour des maisons prestigieuses , ma grand mère et ma mère ont appris ce métier et m’ ont transmis leur savoir faire.
What inspires your work, and what do you want to inspire in others thoughyour work?
I love art, and every piece inspires my work. My children also advise and guide me.
J’ aime l’ art et chaque sortie inspire mon travail . Mes enfants sont là aussi pour me souffler leur avis et ils me guident forcément.
What is your favorite piece from the AW14 collection?
My favourite is the dress Garance.
Ma pièce favorite est la robe Garance .
Do you have children? How does that influence your work?
I’ve got four children, two boys (Martin, 12, Louis, 10) and two girls (Amicie, 7 and Eugenie, 5). Each of them has their own well defined personality – they never hesitate to give me their advice and their different character traits mean I can create clothing for unique personalities.
J’ ai 4 enfants , 2 garçons (( Martin , 12 ans , Louis 10 ans ) et 2 filles ( Amicie 7 ans et Eugénie 5 ans ) . Chacun avec une personnalité bien trempée, ils n’ hésitent pas à me donner leur avis et leurs traits de caractère différents me permettent d’ imaginer des vêtements pour des personnalités uniques .
What are the most rewarding and most challenging aspects of your job?
This is a really lovely job to have – every day is a joy. I work in my workshop with people who are passionate about what they do, really wonderful people – nothing I say can really explain just how satisfying my work is! I’ve got customers who have been loyal to me for four years now – they are lovely. Also the photos that people send me of their children, and the contact I have with the most fantastic artists. This is a job that demands rigour, and also that you shouldn’t count the hours worked. It’s also a very feminine profession.
Ce métier a tellement d’ aspect plaisant, c’ est une joie au quotidien. Je travaille dans mon atelier avec des gens passionnés, tellement sympathiques, rien que cela pourrait suffire à dire combien c’ est gratifiant ! Mais il y a aussi ces clients fidèles depuis 4 ans qui sont adorables, ces photos d’enfants reçues, ces échanges avec des artistes tellement fantastiques. C’ est un travail qui demande de la rigueur et qui demande de ne pas compter ses heures. C’ est un milieu aussi très féminin.
Complete this sentence: Carrousel is like….
The scent of lavender on the breeze.
C’ est un souffle de lavande.
If one of our readers is only in your city, Paris, for 24 hours what one thing would you recommend they do?
Paris in 24 hours is impossible! But I would start with Montmartre very early in the morning, then go on to the greenhouses of Auteuil, two places that I like a lot but which are are situated in opposite directions. I love the Grand Palais, the Rodin museum, the Montsouris park. Lunch at Nanashi and a coffee at Merci… and then, the place I would like to go for tea is the Maison Bastille, which will be opening shortly in the 11th.
Paris en 24 heures c’ est impossible ! 🙂 Mais je débuterai par Montmartre le matin très tôt pour continuer avec le jardin des serres d’ Auteuil, deux lieues que j’ aime beaucoup mais situés à l’ opposé . J’ aime le Grand Palais, le musée Rodin, le parc Montsouris . Un déjeuner chez Nanashi et un café chez Merci … Et puis là où j’ ai hâte d’ aller gouter c’ est chez Maison Bastille qui ouvrira bientôt dans le 11 eme .
Thank you for the interview and see you soon at playtime at stand N10
note: The AW14 collection will soon be available but for now, shop the SS14 collection with up to -45% off here
