Discover Southern Europe | Design & Style
Designing the space of your dreams What inspires you? What is your source of passion, inspiration or creativity? Color palettes, materials and textures, the nature, the sea, the day-to-day architecture, the hustle-bustle of the streets… Everything around you can inspire if you look at it the right way. But perhaps most inspired by it all are the spaces of Claudia de Sousa, an interior designer from Portugal who crossed half the world in the search for her true passion. TEXT: GERARD PLANA | PHOTOS: CLAUDIA DE SOUSA
It all started in Naples, the city where Claudia learned to love design and how to search for beauty in the daily encounter between classic and contemporary design. Milan came next; the Mecca of Italian design, as some would say. In Milan, Claudia worked with Pablo Deganello, member of the famous Archizoom
studio. Here, designing had another perspective: it was more about living pleasantly without forgetting about the reality of one’s daily duties. Many years later, life took her to Beijing, working for a luxury design studio. Naples was the starting point, but her path ultimately led her to Barcelona, where
Small pleasures make a big impact Helping the world to move a little more mindfully, Bordeaux-based brand Le Petit Faon is putting the brakes on fast fashion with a delightfully playful line of clothing for all ages and genders. Its garments are thoughtfully made in ethical workshops, and feel good to wear – both inside and out. We spoke to founders, Matteo and Fanny, to see exactly how their collection inspires joy for everyone involved. Le Petit Faon, or ‘the little fawn’, is as the name suggests; its clothing advocates a much-needed return to nature and innocence. “We produce honest, purposeful clothing with a childlike style,” explains Matteo. Feel-good clothing requires openness in assembly line standards. Its alpaca wool jumpers, hats and headbands are made in
limited quantities by a small Bolivian social enterprise, and its shirts and sweatshirts produced with organic cotton in a Fair Wear workshop in Bangladesh. Each garment is made to last, and embroidered with its own motif in Toulouse. “We believe in the pleasure of giving before receiving, as well as respecting the environment and the work of each person
she lives now and runs her own business. By uniting all these experiences, her designs have an eclectic, Mediterranean style which enchants her customers. “We immediately felt comfortable with her approach and attitude. She developed a concept that incorporated both her and our vision, aligning our style and taste,” says one of her customers from New York, who wanted to furnish his apartment in Southern Europe. Understanding the needs of people is the key to creating a space that matches their personalities, and no one understands those better than Claudia de Sousa. claudiadesousa.com
TEXT: KATE HARVEY | PHOTOS: LE PETIT FAON
involved,” says Matteo. Keeping it as simple and clean as possible, Le Petit Faon selects GMO-free fibres that promote healthy crop rotation for healthier soil. Even its small amount of recycled polyester in some sweatshirts is made from recycled plastic bottles. The brand leans into ethical production wherever possible. The 20-person Bolivian workshop, of which 80 per cent are women and some with reduced mobility, provides a positive working environment – and a higherthan-minimum wage. And for every garment sold, a euro is donated, helping promote better education for children without nurseries in Burkina Faso. The organisation is founded by their friend Mathilde. You can browse the brand’s unisex, men, women and children collections online. Do you want to shop for honest, purposeful and playful clothing, as well? Buy it online at www.lepetitfaon.fr
bfk-enfance-burkina.e-monsite.com 10 | Issue 12 | February 2020