Bonjour: One to Watch Winner - Design, Playtime Paris

Bonjour are our One to Watch winners for design at Playtime Paris AW17. It’s of no surprise this label has amassed a large social media following with the stylist, designer and founder Anne Millet’s inspiring and captivating style. The Petite chamber noire (the little dark room)  collection for Aw17 makes reference to the cinematographic and photographic world, creating a contrasted but subtle atmosphere as a photographer might reveal colours on photographic prints in a dark room. Wonderful moss greens and warm nudes are backgrounds to beautiful hand-block printed vintage flowers. We fell in love with the home linen, mattresses, quilts and the exquisite green in this collection. Let’s find out more about Bonjour, it’s designer and founder and share a sneak peek of Petite chambre noire.

What’s your background ? I have been a designer in children’s  wear for 17 years for several brands as an employee and freelance afterwards.

You believe good design should be…? Personal vision is the most important to me. In this day and age of social media, creating its own artistic universe and preserving it is a complicated task. I believe that having its own identity and sticking to its conviction is the key.

Where do you find you inspiration for your collections ? During my work for other brands I travelled abroad to develop the collections. That has given me the taste of travelling. Inspiration comes essentially from my stays in India, Marocco, Senegal… The colors, the light and some unexpected findings: fabrics, objects…

I like sharing my child memories by reintroducing forgotten shapes of garments. I also draw my inspiration from artists such as Picasso and Jacques Henri Lartigue.

Bonjour range of products ? Bonjour sells children clothes, home linen and accessories made in the same fabrics. These fabrics are exclusive. Quilts, mattresses, tablecloths, napkins, lamps… clothes for the child’s wardrobe and a selection of accessories such as a travel bags, school bags, pencil cases…

What are the main materials ? Most items are made of handblock printed cotton voile, double voile. Checks and stripes complete the assortment.

In how many countries can you find Bonjour ? Bonjour is distributed in 9 countries via a growing network of resellers. It also relies on it’s eshop

Countries of manufacturing ? The craftsmanship is exceptional in India. Handblock print on various kind of fabrics, quilting… And a growing focus on good quality. That’s why we do 90% of our sourcing over there.

Where would you like to take Bonjour in the future ? Bonjour has no strict strategy but wants to remain faithful to its univers/ideas and being coherent. Creating new product is the fun part and should remain the main activity. We try to surprise our clients by regularly introducing new things.

Any news from when we last spoke ? The summer 17 collection will be online on the eshop mid may. The successful palm leaf exclusive design by Bonjour will be available in two different colors.

What Trade Shows can we find Bonjour for Summer ? No trade shows are planned until the end of the year. Communication will be made via Instagram and some press releases.

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Bonjour Aw17 – Petite chambre noire

Photography: Valerie Nagant
Styling: Anne Millet

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