Edalou Paris

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Edalou Paris ("EP") for their original perspective and innovative approach to design as well as their creative lifestyle, we are very pleased to share our interview with our distinguished readers.

DL: Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?

EP : 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.

DL: What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?

EP : 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.

DL: Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?

EP : 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.

DL: What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?

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

DL: What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?

EP : 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.

DL: What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?

EP : 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.

DL: What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?

EP : A harmonious balance between: Function, Innovation & Aesthetics

DL: What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?

EP : Because it's timeless...

DL: What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?

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

DL: What is the dream project you haven’t yet had time to realize?

EP : On my brand a bigger version of La Coucou bag.

DL: What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?

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

DL: Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?

EP : 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.

DL: What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?

EP : 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.

DL: What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?

EP : 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!

DL: How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?

EP : 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.

DL: If you hadn’t become a designer, what would you have done?

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

DL: How do you define design, what is design for you?

EP : 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.

DL: Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?

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

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

EP : 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.

DL: What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?

EP : 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.

DL: How do you think designers should present their work?

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

DL: What’s your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?

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

DL: What’s your ultimate goal as a designer?

EP : 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.

DL: What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?

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

DL: How does design help create a better society?

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

DL: What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?

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

DL: Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?

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

DL: How long does it take you to finalize a design project?

EP : 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.

DL: When you have a new design project, where do you start?

EP : 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.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

EP : 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.

DL: Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?

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

DL: What do you wish people to ask about your design?

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

DL: When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?

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

DL: Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?

EP : 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.

DL: Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?

EP : The women in my life!

DL: How did you develop your skills as a master designer?

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

DL: Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?

EP : Sarah Blakely from Spanks to discuss entrepreneurship.

DL: What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?

EP : Color - shades of purple/pink Thing - my i-phone Place - Home, Puerto Rico Brand - Apple Food - Mexican tacos

DL: Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?

EP : 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!

DL: What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?

EP : 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.

DL: When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?

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