- Past Q&A's
- Karen Williamson with Barefoot Tess
- Beautiful People Designer Johanna Boccardo
- Black Tangerine's Rashida Kapadia
- Colin Megaro with Planet Style Concierge
- Danielle Stevens of Danielle Stevens Jewelry
- JohnMarc Edwards with JME Merge
- Keep Me Loungewear
- KEVA by Keva J.
- Krista Ayne
- Robin Levinson with Levinson Jewelers
- LuLA by Angelica Cota
- Meira T with Meira T Designs
- Michael Papajohn
- Michele Bohbot
- Mimi Plange of Boudoir D'Huitres
- Sharon Carpenter
- Minoo Hersini of Sioloonim
- promom couture
- Lindsey Reisack with Redeux Sunwear
- Reinerland Jewelry
- Sam Kori George
- Simona Supekar from SHOP.com
- Tara Levitin with Leviticus Jewelry
2009 marks the 20th
Anniversary of BISOU BISOU. Congratulations! How rewarding has this 20
year journey been for you?
The journey has been incredibly rewarding. My husband Marc and I started BISOU BISOU after we came to theUS
What prompted you to launch BISOU BISOU? Were there any personal fears, or, were you confident in the brand’s success from the start?
Creating BISOU BISOU was a labor of love. My vision was to design clothes that were a fusion ofParisian street
Regardless of your initial thoughts going into it, was it possible to envision the popularity of the line?
Yes and no. I knew who I was designing for and I knew the fabrics I was using were new to the market. I felt the line would do very well. Did I know that my designs would set trends and be worn by A-List celebs? No—there’s no way to see something like that coming.
The 2003 licensing agreement with JC Penney brought in whole new elements to your line. How did that agreement initially emerge and what changes to BISOU BISOU were made?
My husband, Marc, brought the deal to the table. I am very happy about teaming up with JCPenney, because my vision and fashions are now translated into a broader appeal for hundreds of thousands of JCPenney shoppers who seek designer style at affordable prices. Working with JCPenney allows us to introduce new product categories (shoes, handbags, plus-sizes, maternity, home fragrance etc.) to the BISOU BISOU brand. Our partnership is doing very well—we are in our seventh year and still going strong.
When designing, what do you get more excited about, the initial idea, or the end result?
The initial idea. I love visualizing a piece, sketching it out, and having that first sample created. Sometimes a print or color inspires me, sometimes I am inspired by cut and embellishments. I never know where the vision is going to come from. The creative process keeps me young.
Is there a trend you’re particularly excited about this season?
Metal studs and lots of hardware. I love the rocker-look this upcoming season. Furs, metallic fabrics, leggings, and pleather!
You’re also very involved in yoga and a celebrated painter (not to mention mother of 7!). How do you find time to fit everything in?
Balance is all what life is about. Yoga relaxes me and gives me time with myself and my thoughts, while painting is another outlet for my creativity. I’m multi-faceted like most women. Being a mother of seven, a fashion designer, a businesswoman, an artist, and a wife, yet managing to keep a balance with all these roles and remaining calm and positive is only possible because I make time to rejuvenate myself.
Just for fun…do you have any guilty pleasures…TV show, movie, food, drink, etc.?
Ice Cream!!!!
The journey has been incredibly rewarding. My husband Marc and I started BISOU BISOU after we came to the
What prompted you to launch BISOU BISOU? Were there any personal fears, or, were you confident in the brand’s success from the start?
Creating BISOU BISOU was a labor of love. My vision was to design clothes that were a fusion of
Regardless of your initial thoughts going into it, was it possible to envision the popularity of the line?
Yes and no. I knew who I was designing for and I knew the fabrics I was using were new to the market. I felt the line would do very well. Did I know that my designs would set trends and be worn by A-List celebs? No—there’s no way to see something like that coming.
The 2003 licensing agreement with JC Penney brought in whole new elements to your line. How did that agreement initially emerge and what changes to BISOU BISOU were made?
My husband, Marc, brought the deal to the table. I am very happy about teaming up with JCPenney, because my vision and fashions are now translated into a broader appeal for hundreds of thousands of JCPenney shoppers who seek designer style at affordable prices. Working with JCPenney allows us to introduce new product categories (shoes, handbags, plus-sizes, maternity, home fragrance etc.) to the BISOU BISOU brand. Our partnership is doing very well—we are in our seventh year and still going strong.
When designing, what do you get more excited about, the initial idea, or the end result?
The initial idea. I love visualizing a piece, sketching it out, and having that first sample created. Sometimes a print or color inspires me, sometimes I am inspired by cut and embellishments. I never know where the vision is going to come from. The creative process keeps me young.
Is there a trend you’re particularly excited about this season?
Metal studs and lots of hardware. I love the rocker-look this upcoming season. Furs, metallic fabrics, leggings, and pleather!
You’re also very involved in yoga and a celebrated painter (not to mention mother of 7!). How do you find time to fit everything in?
Balance is all what life is about. Yoga relaxes me and gives me time with myself and my thoughts, while painting is another outlet for my creativity. I’m multi-faceted like most women. Being a mother of seven, a fashion designer, a businesswoman, an artist, and a wife, yet managing to keep a balance with all these roles and remaining calm and positive is only possible because I make time to rejuvenate myself.
Just for fun…do you have any guilty pleasures…TV show, movie, food, drink, etc.?
Ice Cream!!!!
Q&A With Michele Bohbot of BISOU BISOU
.jpg)
"Go confidently in the direction of your
dreams. Live the life you've imagined." -Henry David
Thoreau
Michele Bohbot went and lived...and chances are, you have one of her pieces hanging in your closet! Leaving Paris in 1987 with her husband and three young children, with high hopes of living the "American Dream," the couple started BISOU BISOU (French slang meaning a little kiss) just two short years later.
The combination of Parisian street fashion and modern style launched her career as a much worn and much loved designer. By 2001 BISOU BISOU had 22 U.S. locations and soon after in 2003, a licensing agreement was signed with JCPENNEY giving exclusive distribution rights to the chain. That same year, Bohbot also became the art director of the then new line, Hale Bob.
As if Ms. Bohbot wasn't busy enough with BISOU BISOU and Hale Bob, the wife and mother of seven is also an accomplished artist, relying on both her art and her passion for yoga to help keep her balanced.
"Go confidently in the direction of your
dreams. Live the life you've imagined." -Henry David
ThoreauMichele Bohbot went and lived...and chances are, you have one of her pieces hanging in your closet! Leaving Paris in 1987 with her husband and three young children, with high hopes of living the "American Dream," the couple started BISOU BISOU (French slang meaning a little kiss) just two short years later.
The combination of Parisian street fashion and modern style launched her career as a much worn and much loved designer. By 2001 BISOU BISOU had 22 U.S. locations and soon after in 2003, a licensing agreement was signed with JCPENNEY giving exclusive distribution rights to the chain. That same year, Bohbot also became the art director of the then new line, Hale Bob.
As if Ms. Bohbot wasn't busy enough with BISOU BISOU and Hale Bob, the wife and mother of seven is also an accomplished artist, relying on both her art and her passion for yoga to help keep her balanced.
Q&A with 24-7 Style
Want to be interviewed by 24-7 Style? Email us!
Want to be interviewed by 24-7 Style? Email us!