Let’s talk about Coucou Suzette - the cheeky, playful Paris based gift makers founded by Juliette in 2013. The catchy name, one we want to say over and over out loud, was a spontaneous combination of Juliette’s first beloved Cat Suzette and a warm, welcoming expression ‘Coucou’ which means ‘Hi’ in French.
Juliette, who studied Design and Illustration at the Arts Déco (EnsAD) in Paris formed the company off the back of an unexpected boobie boom. As a joke she had created a little ceramic boob ring for a friend and posted her fabrication on instagram. She was inundated with likes and requests from people who wanted their very own busty accessory, and so Coucou Suzette had lift off, or 'push up' should we say!?
Made to make you smile
Refreshingly, Coucou’s range today is attention grabbing and bursting with the fun elements and characteristics that got them recognised in the first place. It is an ever growing line of socks, jewellery, pins, puzzles and games that are made to make you smile and are not to be taken too seriously - something I think we could all do with a dose of right now!
...forever playing with objects and their forms to find original proposals...
Whilst it’s hard to single out a few items from such a colourful, uplifting collection we can’t help but wax lyrical over their pregnant and twerk socks, where the heel plays the unlikely, but all important lead role of bump and booty. Juliette and her team clearly love to create - forever playing with objects and their forms to find original proposals. In this instance they exploited the form of the sock to insert art that was seemingly made for the shape of the foot.
Striking and relatable
The rendezvous puzzle is another striking and relatable piece. The team, drawing inspiration from little fun facets of everyday life, invite you to assemble scenarios that we’ve either witnessed or been a part of - a crush on the first date, a little dog getting impatient, an improvised flirt, pigeons playing at our feet, a good book and an overpriced coffee.
...products that have the ability to lift spirits and start a conversation should be celebrated...
The target audience for Coucou Suzette was originally the 30 year old woman living in the big city, but over time more men and young mothers have climbed on board, as their popularity continues to soar (particularly on instagram). Let's face it, products that have the ability to lift spirits and start a conversation should be celebrated by people of all ages and genders, and that is precisely what is happening. It also helps that they are modern and innovative in their approach, they constantly engage with their audience on instagram to help uncover what people want to see, not only on their instagram feed but also in their shop.
The languages of fun and humour are universal...
Tips from followers, sketching sessions and laying in the Normandy grass with her Bernese are just a few of the places that Juliette finds inspiration. She also outlined to us her love of Japanese artists like Takayo Kiyota (Sushi Queen) and Takuro Kuwata and her infatuation with the city of Tokyo itself having lived there for a period of time. Her ideas can come from anywhere and everywhere and equally are loved by people from anywhere and everywhere. The languages of fun and humour are universal, which is perfect because so is Coucou’s shipping. It would be rude to, but ruder not to!
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