We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Edalou Paris ("EP").
Born from a journey of self-love and a relentless passion for design, Edalou is a woman's accessories label based in Paris— created to meet women at the intersection of quality, functionality, and conscious style. Each piece is conceived with multi-functional and versatile elements that appeal to a wide range of women looking for modern designs. Thoughtfully sourced luxury materials are the basis to creating quality pieces with a message of self-love and empowerment for women everywhere. While living in New York City, founder Eda Lourdes Aguilar transformed through real life chronicles of personal growth and professional hurdles. It was this reinvention that led her to the creation of Edalou after working for over a decade in finance. Once her debut handbag was nominated for a prestigious award in New York City, Eda found her calling and knew she had to embrace the Rock that was beating in her heart. Her path took her from finance to fashion, from the Big Apple to the City of Lights. Arriving in Paris after falling in love, Edalou's inspiration for the brand and the motor driving her heart remain: her empowering girlfriends, a love for music, the practice of dance, and the belief in improving the world through the evolution of consumption. La Coucou is made in Paris, France. Each of the leather and gold metal components have been carefully selected to provide a modern allure of luxury and to remind the wearer to enjoy every moment life has to offer with its multiple looks and functionality. La Coucou has inspired a whole collection of products that are multi lux versatile with endless possibilities. About the Founder: Eda Lourdes Aguilar Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Eda Lourdes was drawn to the creative world at a very young age through her involvement with dancing, modeling, television, and theater. Eda’s mentors and professors ultimately inspired her to make the move from finance to fashion. Eda received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Puerto Rico in 2000 and completed a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University in 2007. After working for fifteen years in finance and investments, Eda relocated to France from New York City as a result of finding love in Paris. While Eda is a passionate entrepreneur, she is also a proud mommy to Yohan and Jarod. In May 2019, she was nominated for the Independent Handbag Designer Awards competition in New York City, which led her to dream of launching her brand. Having attended Parsons the New School for Art & Design and working for the fashion houses of Kenzo, Iro, Apparis, Miriam Budet, Koshka and Lemloren, Eda received an insider experience of the industry, which she leveraged to launch her line, Edalou Paris. Eda’s drive is to design for visionary women, who are professional, discerning, active, and stylish. With the mantra: ROCK DANCE & LOVE, Eda's design inspiration comes from the strong women in her life, starting with her Mother, her aunts, and her loyal girlfriends. The second muse is her love affair with the lifestyle, culture, and fashion of her favorite cities: San Juan, New York, and Paris. Traveling between these three cities, she was inspired to design the life she wanted to live and work hard for her dreams. Her mentors and professors include Ita Medina, Petra Bravo, Waldo Garcia, Caridad Fernandez, Marcelino Alcala, and recently Pedro Aviles of the Hip Hop Moms.
Edalou Paris Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Edalou Paris.
Edalou Paris Design - La Coucou Multifunctional Handbag
Designer Interview of Edalou Paris:
DI: Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
EP : Design for me started with my passion for the "beaux arts". Since the age of three I study and practice dance and later on did modeling and theater. Being part of talent shows, commercials and campaigns for brands etc. taught me how to develop an idea and develop a story that will excite and inspire others.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
EP : Born from a journey of self-love and a relentless passion for design, Edalou is an accessories label based in Paris— created to meet women at the intersection of quality, functionality, and conscious style. Each piece is conceived with multi-functional and versatile elements that appeal to a wide range of women looking for modern designs. We thoughtfully source luxury materials to create quality pieces with a message of self-love and empowerment for women everywhere.
DI: What is "design" for you?
EP : Design is the blueprint of your life and everything around you has beauty and design. I believe you can design pieces but you can also design intangibles such as your life.. you can design the life you want to live. Which is part of why we have a mantra: Rock Dance Love Rock at everything you do. Dace it off and let go Love effortlessly.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
EP : I love accessories.. since very young. I think you can change the way an outfit looks by just changing the accessories. I love designing multi functional pieces that can be timeless and be styled in multiple ways.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
EP : My favorite design is La Coucou handbag. It was inspired by my personal and business travels. It is a multifunctional cross body that can transform itself into neck, belt and clutch bag taking you day to night, New York to Paris. One bag with multiple possibilities.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
EP : A multi strap handbag. The bag would have different straps for different occasions.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
EP : My favorite materials are: leather, lace, tulle, velvet, sequins, metal hardware most recently.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
EP : I feel the most creative when I am dancing! Letting it all out. It helps me release all the creative energy. I am also very creative when I sleep. I try to solve problems when I sleep so I think about how to make a product better or how to solve a design problem that I am having etc.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
EP : The aspect I most think of is the multi facet concept the design can have. How can I make it more durable, usable in line with a more conscious buying mentality.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
EP : I feel alive! Filled with energy and positivity. Like the world suddenly became a better place. I think of how the piece would make the client wearing it feel. I want it to be a happy feeling, a powerful feeling.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
EP : When it is realized.. I feel like a child! Happy, hopeful and excited to be able to pass this same feeling to the person that will wear it.
DI: What makes a design successful?
EP : I think a design will be successful if you believe in it and you put lots of passion and perseverance into it having the best quality and meaningfulness.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
EP : I would consider the objectives, the aesthetics and the construction but I would also consider the emotion. It has to bring an emotion on me.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
EP : We all have the responsibility to do our part. It is a difficult and high-cost initiative, especially for an independent designer but we know we have to keep looking for better ways to manufacture our products. There are things that we can do either with materials or your business process and model. More education is necessary to keep improving. Currently, in order to reduce our carbon footprint, the majority of our raw materials are intentionally sourced and processed in the quartier of Le Marais, near the manufacturing atelier. We are committed to responsibly minimizing waste by utilizing all resources efficiently— in our packaging and other products when possible. For example, leather scraps are used to make some of our labels, and the scrap from our fabric lining and face masks are used to make the pochette of the Coucou Heart. Lastly, we put emphasis on Pre-Orders and Made-to-Order directly to customers. This approach helps reduce unnecessary inventories, minimize waste, and creates equilibrium between supply and demand. In terms of society I believe that we should motivate, inspire and give back. I believe in mentoring, leading by example and giving back. I want to always partner with a like minded organization that promotes change, transformation and evolution for women. This month we are partnering with Bottomless Closet, an organization in New York that helps women prepare to enter the workforce by helping them with their interview skills, wardrobe, resume etc.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
EP : I feel that the design field is now open to anybody that would like to design and create thanks to the digital world and its digital tools.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
EP : My sources of inspiration are the mantras of my brand: ROCK DANCE LOVE Basically the example of my rockin mother, my experience in the "beaux arts" as a dancer, model, actor and the love for people.
DI: How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
EP : My design style is practical with a rock n roll retro vibe. Every design is versatile and multifunctional which is important for me to create items that can have multiple possibilities.
DI: Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
EP : I am originally from Puerto Rico in the middle of the Caribbean, lived in NYC for four years and I am now living in Paris. Definitely these cities have affected and inspired my designs. The soul and flavor of the tropics, the vivacity and energy of NYC and the beauty and aesthetics of Paris are ingrained on my creations.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
EP : Many times it starts in my dreams and then I wake up and start playing with a digital tool or my notebook! Then I buy materials and start playing. After that I go back and forth as to what worked or not. I then take it to the atelier and talk to them about what is really possible or not.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
EP : I-phone, Macbook Air, Airpods, Alexa and my soda stream maker!
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
EP : Computer in the morning and errands around Les Marais district in the afternoon.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
EP : Learn social media and graphic design, website building etc.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
EP : It is hard because the compensation is definitely a delayed compensation and it takes time. I have said many times that working for the bank during the financial crisis of 2008 was easier than to be a designer ha!
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
EP : Multifunctionality!
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
EP : Some graphic design even if it is basic canva.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
EP : Great question! I sleep less many nights! I try to divide my days/hours into a computer day or morning and errands and visits to suppliers, ateliers etc.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
EP : It can take weeks but some can take a few hours. It depends on the complexity, material etc.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
EP : How did I made the transition from Finance.
DI: What was your most important job experience?
EP : All job experiences are important. For me my 15 years in finance have been crucial to keeping the business hat in place. Second my fashion experience working with other brands in Paris, NYC and San Juan that granted me the insides of how a brand makes the magic happens. Third my experience dancing, modeling, acting has taught me how to tell a story!
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
EP : Playing around with the shape and functionality of the design. After that creating the digital content to promote them and share their story.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
EP : Expand the Coucou Collection and increase awareness for the brand so we can continue to make multifunctional products and at the same time inspire women to ROCK DANCE & LOVE.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
EP : The first designs I developed alone but now that EDALOU PARIS has been launched I have a small team of designers, stylists, content creators and graphic experts.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
EP : I want to grow La Coucou collection by exploring new materials and shapes.
DI: How can people contact you?
EP : eda@edalourdes.com https://www.instagram.com/edalouparis/ DM me! https://edalouparis.com/ message Me!