You may not have met Charlotte and Gael, but I'm sure you have heard of Ephémère, their brand. The two artists create stationery of all kinds, but also furniture and accessories, in different and multiple themes, all in limited edition.
Their house functions as a home, a workshop and a store. Gael is more design-focussed, in the conception and crafting of the product, whereas Charlotte is more into drawing and illustration, though they help each other out.
The build up to Ephémère started in 2010. The couple launched Peri Meter, a magazine dedicated to design. Eventually however, Gael and Charlotte stopped working on the magazine, but decided to share what they produced on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/ephemeredesign) and on their blog, http://www.culturetc.blogspot.com. Ephémère was born.
Their nautical collection was available from June to end of July. The products from the collection were featured in La Case magazine.
After visiting the first MY POP UP STORE, created by Elizabeth Marcy de Chelin, they decided to participate in the second event held in Bagatelle. “We practically didn’t sleep: we went to bed at 5 am, to wake up at 6 am, but we managed to finish everything in time for the showcase.” The couple describe Ephémère as their passion, although it’s extremely difficult for them to balance the brand, their jobs, and a lack of capital. “It’s not easy starting up your own business when hardly any help is given to young entrepreneurs in this country,” they claim.
One of their framed illustrations
It’s incredible how they fight to keep the brand’s identity. They strive to keep the prices of their products affordable: their gorgeous scarves on display at the MY POP UP STORE event were Rs 500 each, and were sold out within two days. Had they produced more scarves, they would have made more profit, but that’s not how Ephémère works. True to the name, the products must only be sold in limited quantity, in a limited time frame. If they don’t like something, they won’t produce it. And although they wish they could create more products, they are time constrained.
Their wildly successful scarves
I love how the brand brings something fresh, affordable and new to the local design scene. I was stunned to learn that the wood Gael uses to make furniture is treated with essential oils, which protects it from water stains (the wood is thus waterproof) but also repels insects! Plus, Ephémère is eco-friendly: their notebooks are all made out of recycled paper.
Their notebooks
Their adorable bookmarks!
xoxo
Alex
email: stylemauritius@live.com
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