Fox Tales: Meet Louise from Cocolulu
Crafty Fox Member Louise Pascal runs Cocolulu, a brand selling hand-painted pieces inspired by food and flowers with a vintage feel full of thoughtfully chosen colour combos to bring joy to everyday rituals. We caught up with Louise ahead of her appearance at our Spring Market at the British Library on Saturday 9th May, where you’ll be able to find her gorgeous products…
Hey Louise! You say your multi-cultural upbringing shaped your creative path - what creative lessons can you remember from childhood and are there still parallels between your earliest forms of creativity and what you do through Cocolulu now?
Growing up with an Asian mother I had many extra curricular activities. Between paperclay, watercolour, oil painting, ballet, piano and Chinese painting, I had many different ways of being creative and I loved it! It has made me realise I cannot be a creative that sticks to one medium, which is why my product range is so big! I get bored just doing one thing which is why I explored painting on different surfaces and still doing hand embroidery.
You studied embroidery in Manchester - can you tell us some more about what that involved and how it’s continued to inform your work?
Even though the course was called BA hons Embroidery it was more a design course that started with learning embroidery skills. I loved learning skills in embroidery, either by hand or machine alongside learning about colour, composition and mixing different medias. I never really intentionally design this way, but over time I have realised that by painting so small, it is almost like little embroidery pieces. Admirers of my work have said how they see similarities in my painting to traditional embroidery. I do love vintage so it does make sense even if it wasn’t my design process.
We’d love to hear more about your creative process. A lot of your products feature seasonal imagery - do you work seasonally too? We know you previously worked in the fashion industry, which is also very seasonal, has that affected how you work/create?
Before Cocolulu, as a hobby I used to love making Christmas decorations for my friends and family. It would bring me a sense of joy and determination I can’t explain, I would make around 50 decorations and hand paint 50 cards! So this meant I put a lot of my creative juices into Christmas and people love it as much as I do! To balance out the year I then started doing Easter Spring collections and it carried on from there. I have always loved working to a brief and as it is just me, seasons are always my favourite place to start.
Tell us a bit about creating bespoke pieces for your customers and the creative challenges that brings.
I absolutely love creating bespoke work. As I mentioned, I enjoy working to a brief and love it when I am approached by someone who loves my work for its style. I like to be given an idea and bring it to life with my own touch. From working in the head office of fashion companies, I have learnt the best and right way to approach discussing ideas with a client is through kindness and direction. Sometimes it is difficult if I don’t really agree with the style they want but at the end of the day I want them to be happy with it and try and add the Cocolulu touch as best I can.
Can you briefly talk us through a day/week in your life and the realities of running a creative business?
My studio is a room at the back of my house, I have the most perfect natural light and view of the garden. Every day is different and I enjoy having flexibility in my day to day - plans may have to change depending on emails that may come in. Every morning is dedicated to online customer orders as I paint them to order. Little Lola (my dachshund) gets a daily mid-morning walk and allows me to get some daily fresh air. Afternoons may be working on checking stock, my website and sometimes working on new product ideas. Often I will also have a post office order drop off. I am constantly checking my emails and Instagram during the day as I like to make sure I am aware of any inquiries, a habit I picked up from working in garment production in fashion.
We’d love to hear about your experience at Crafty Fox Markets and as part of the community.
Crafty Fox Markets are my favourite ones to do. The customer base is always so openly supportive which means a lot. I love it when someone tells me they already follow me or have purchased from my website, it makes my heart sing! I have made some very special friends through Crafty fox and my favourite story is with Kerri behind Francis and Louise. We met a few years ago at a market and both live in East London. We now call each other to talk through new collections or business ideas and love going to Hackney Lido in the summer for a swim and post-endorphins small business chat, it means so much having a like minded supportive person to talk to!
Finally, what’s coming up for Cocolulu this year?
This year I am focusing on creating some thoughtful collaborations with some new product ideas. I have been in touch, so fingers crossed they turn into some exciting launches! I am really looking forward to the Christmas season and bringing you more pieces that bring joy to everyday rituals.
Use code craftyfox20 to get 20% off any purchase over £25 at at cocolulu.co.uk
Follow Louise on Instagram: @cocoluludesigns
