A Beautiful Encounter
There was BELLE somewhere in Paris. A little farther away, AUDACIEUSE was quietly living a life her own.
They didn’t know each other. I photographed them.
Then one day, on my computer, they found themselves side by side.
At the time, I had no idea that one day they would find themselves side by side on my screen, with so much to say to each other.
BELLE AUDACIEUSE.
Beautiful. Bold. They looked rather good together. I didn’t have the heart to separate them.
The Words I Gather in Paris
I walk a lot through Paris. It is probably my favorite way to work. I look at façades, shop windows, old signs, painted letters, golden ones, fading ones and occasionally slightly crooked ones.
Words we pass every day without necessarily seeing them.
I stop. I photograph them.
Over the years, they have become my own large Parisian alphabet: letters, syllables, complete words and sometimes curious encounters simply waiting for a little encouragement. Then, back at my computer, I make the introductions.
BELLE, meet AUDACIEUSE.
I think they liked each other immediately.
A Keychain with Something to Say
Once brought together, the words leave the photograph and become an everyday object.
The Belle Audacieuse keychain is designed and made in Paris, in the same city where its words were first found and photographed. It accompanies house, office or car keys, helps make a set of keys easier to spot at the bottom of a bag, and can also be attached to a pouch or handbag.
But most importantly, it does what I like my objects to do. It tells a little story.
Give It Away. Or Don't.
To a friend who dares.
A sister who never does things quite like everyone else.
A daughter making her own way.
A mother who has never lacked courage.
Or yourself.
Belle Audacieuse is a compliment that doesn't ask permission. And if nobody thinks of giving it to you, that's really not a problem. Some important compliments are perfectly acceptable to give yourself.
Photographed in Paris. Designed in Paris. Made in Paris.
Paris provides the words. I make the introductions.
