CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR CREATIVE/WORKING PROCESS ?
I am constantly on the lookout for new brands emerging and arriving on the ready-to-wear market that I want to present to all my clients. It could also be an established brand on the French market that decides to change agents. Even though I always prefer the first option because that's where my skills are most relevant, at least I think so ;). When it comes to monitoring, I obviously use social media, but also the network I've built up over my eight years of experience in this sector. I have to make sure that I don't have brands that cannibalize each other within my own agency. It's important to note that the brand must first and foremost appeal to me in terms of design; I think I'm most effective when I like the brand. Even though the commercial aspect of the brand is very important, I increasingly tend to only sell what I like. That's the complexity of my work/business. Finding a brand with a unique design, but also one that is commercially viable and offers the best possible value for money, while ensuring that my customers are delivered on time and with a decent margin.
Once I have identified a target, I decide to contact the brand to find out its current position in the wholesale market. If the response is favorable, I meet with the brand to gather as much information as possible to help us make a decision together. The human aspect is very important to me. Obviously, this is just my opinion, but if there is no human connection, I won't be able to do business with the brand in the medium to long term, no matter how beautiful or relevant it may be. This has already closed quite a few doors for me, but I aspire to be surrounded only by people I like. It's probably a utopian view of life, but it's my view nonetheless ;) I'm not interested in being the richest person in the cemetery, but spending real, good times with people I like and making a little money together has been my ambition since I started my agency last April. From my point of view, I'm not just here to sell; I'm also here to give my opinion and use my expertise as best I can to help the brand penetrate the wholesale market in the best possible way. The brand has to listen, but so do I, because I also have to understand all the aspects that will or won't impact my clients/partners later on. This necessarily involves a relationship of trust.
IS THERE A PARTICULAR PROJECT YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH US ?
The creation of my agency/showroom NOT, which I just told you about. After years as an employee, I felt the need to assert myself and make my own decisions. I was finding it increasingly difficult to tolerate authority, and rather than continuing to complain, I decided to set up my own agency. I left at the point when I was earning the most money, so yes, it's a huge risk (the cost of living here in Paris, my 5-year-old daughter, etc.). But I think I'm lucky to have good people around me, and for now, everything is going pretty well. Of course, everything isn't stable yet and I make mistakes, but now that I'm on the front line, I'm learning faster and if a mistake is made, I only have myself to blame. That's the difference. I'm also learning to be tougher and, as a result, less nice sometimes in order to protect my own interests. I'm always there for the people/colleagues who respect me and don't cross the line, and sometimes acting as a link between brands and customers isn't easy, but I do it, or at least I think I do, to the best of my ability. It's not perfect and it never will be, but I act as transparently as possible.
HOW DOES YOUR ACTIVITY INFLUENCE THE WAY YOU DRESS ?
If you've read the answers above, you have your answer. Being in daily contact with brands or people who are passionate about “rags” (yes, it's just rags here), I can't help but be influenced by my work.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CLOTHES ?
Passion? I think that, before being a hardcore salesperson, I have been passionate about clothing and style since childhood. My mother always dressed me differently when I was little. Style, and therefore clothing, has always played an important role in my life. So I made mistakes styling myself, big mistakes even. But it was when I realized that I could combine my passion with my work that my life took on real meaning. So I really love clothing; it's an integral part of my life in many ways. But I also know that it's not essential. By that I mean that some people have much more important jobs than we do. So we have to keep our feet on the ground.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE CÈUCLE PIECE AND WHY ?
The long shorts Chapter 2, without a doubt. The volume is incredible, it's a mix between a skirt and shorts, and I wear it in winter and summer ;)
IF YOU HAD TO DESCRIBE CÈUCLE IN 3 WORDS ?
Volume, Unique, Timeless
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