A conversation with
Clemence Dru
She welcomes us with her soft voice and a big smile. It's gray today, but we already know we're going to have a great time at Clémence's, the co-founder of Côme Editions. Clémence founded this women's ready-to-wear fashion house in 2015 with her brother Matthieu. Côme, from the Greek Kosmos, means Universe, Balance, and Harmony. Just like the pretty designer's apartment, which has the charm of typical Parisian living spaces, twisted by a colorful and cheerful decor.
Hello Clémence, can you tell us about yourself?
I'm the co-founder of Côme Editions. I started this brand after studying fashion design, graphic design, and brand management. In my personal life, I'm married to Antoine, and we have two sons: Noah, who is three, and Joseph, who is one.
You created Côme Editions with your brother. Did you grow up in a family with a creative soul?
Yes. We are five siblings, and our parents always encouraged us to do what we wanted. Ultimately, we all took different but complementary artistic paths, which means we often end up working together. We have a sister who is a screenwriter and director in the film industry; two brothers who work in music—one is a producer, the other a music therapist; our mother is a photographer, sculptor, and writer; and our father is an advertising executive but also has a creative soul.
Where do you get your fashion and decor inspiration?
A bit everywhere. I love looking at people in the street: their appearance, their silhouette, their style. In my travels too. I loved my trip to Japan for example, because I really like everything architectural, refined and minimalist. In Senegal too, I let myself be carried away by the combinations of colors and patterns. On the other hand, I don't follow trends at all. I like timeless cuts and silhouettes, while mixing genres and styles. In decoration it's the same, I want to mix!
« I love timeless cuts and silhouettes, while mixing genres and styles. »
You are known for your beautiful embroidered jackets, what was the process of creating them, from the idea to their completion?
It's a project that came about completely by chance. My brother and I studied but we didn't have any professional experience in the fashion industry. So we've always operated on instinct. I wake up with an idea and that same evening we put it into action. For the embroidered jackets, I went to Senegal one day for a photoshoot of our clothes. I had a small collection with me and I saw women embroidering cushions for CSAO (an African crafts store sold in France whose founders are part of my extended family).
I asked these women to embroider our jackets and I immediately thought the result was fantastic. Barely a month later, we were offering our customers the option of personalizing their jackets. In hindsight, it was a bit rushed; we really needed to refine and structure the project, but we realized there was a lot of interest. It's a project that's really close to our hearts, but it's difficult to implement because these women aren't trained embroiderers; they learn on the job because they have very complicated lives and it's a way for them to get by. That's why today we only take two or three orders a year. We realized that customers increasingly wanted to add their own personal touch, for example by embroidering the name of their lover or a family message. They also create an interaction with people in the street, so these are jackets that we really like.
How did you think about the decor of your interior and has it evolved over time?
When decorating our apartment, we rely a lot on impulse. So no matter the style of our furniture, we wait until we're completely in love with a piece to get it, and all the better if it works well with the rest. For furniture, I like things that have already been used, like vintage furniture that has stories to tell. I have a hard time getting attached to new things, apart from my sister-in-law's decor brand, Sybille de Tavernost, who gave us a few pieces. Otherwise, we only have furniture we've found or salvaged from our families. My taste doesn't change much; I'm pretty loyal to what I like, and I attach great sentimental value to objects. The ones we have here all have a symbolic meaning.
« I place great sentimental value on objects. The ones we have here all have symbolism. »
Green and color, what place do plants have in your home?
I love the color green; it's everywhere in our apartment! Plants too; we have them in all sizes. I find they bring a real presence, a real warmth to a home. And then we become attached to them, because unlike flowers, which I also love, plants last. They're like members of the family.
How did you choose your By Charlot plants and pots?
I chose La Dorlotée , L'Élégante and La Délicate for their poetry, they are all three so pretty. But also because I have a little weakness for ficus. I love this plant and I know that it has depolluting and sanitizing virtues so I like to have some at home. And for the pots I am quite faithful to my color palette because I chose water green, blue-grey and a coppery pink which go well with the shades chosen for our living space.
« I chose La Dorlotée, L'Elégante and La Délicate for their poetry, they are all three so pretty. »
Your daily green actions, professional and personal?
At home, we sort, we eat organic, and I avoid giving my children plastic toys. At the office, we reviewed the entire brand months ago to make it as responsible as possible. We no longer have fabrics manufactured, we only use existing fabrics, we have our entire collections produced in Paris in a small workshop that we love, we use eco-responsible, biodegradable, compostable packaging, and our deliveries in Paris are made by bicycle. These are our main eco-friendly actions.
What are the challenges and joys of being an entrepreneur for you?
They are often linked. For example, I am very attached to my freedom and independence, which are priceless. However, my professional life often encroaches on my personal life. I can be required to work very late in the evening and sometimes on weekends. I worked until the end of my pregnancies and I didn't really have maternity leave. It's always a bit complicated to find the balance, but I am still very attached to my freedom...
A desire for the future of fashion and Côme editions?
The first thing that comes to mind is obviously that the fashion sector is becoming much more eco-responsible. I am optimistic because I think there is a real general awareness and that a lot of things are being implemented. There are still major players who still have a lot to do, but overall it's positive. With Côme, I want to be able to continue creating freely. When I want, how I want, and today that's the case, so I hope it will continue!
