clémence cahu

— Clémence Cahu has the power to transform castles into carry-bags. Interview with the magician of the 21st Century.

January 11, 2021

Describe yourself in three words.

Less is more. 

What does Clémence Cahu do from Monday through Friday?

During lockdown? Have a coffee, run, have a coffee, do a photoshoot, have a coffee, have a Zoom meeting, have a coffee, do the things on my “to do” list and highlight them again, have a coffee, create mood boards, have a coffee, meet new talents, have a coffee, drive cars and scooters, have a coffee, have dinner, sleep, look at real estate properties (and brush my teeth). 

What has been your biggest surprise since you launched your brand? 

Seeing Céline Dion wear a Cahu. 

Upcycling at Cahu is about creating through childhood memories – can you tell us a bit more about that? 

I grew up in my father’s factory, and it was only much later on that I understood where I had actually spent my childhood. My father was a D.J. before opening the inflatable castle factory so for me, fantasy was his past as a nightlife star, not someone who created multicolored toys. Once in Paris, I went back to see his factory, and I asked questions with my adult brain about the processes and how offcuts were processed. That’s when I understood that I had my own role to play: not just testing the toys and games but protecting the green countryside where I grew up. 

Do you think that nostalgia can give rise to great ambitions?

That of seeing my parents happy to go to work, of having seen 101 Dalmatians when I was four, and Cruella de Vil who is still my leading and favorite reference 30 years on. 

Which Cahu model would you advise as one to take to work (or for teleworking)?

The big black practical one with an orange interior. 

And for an evening out (or Zoom drinks with friends)?

The mini practical violet one. 

For a date?

The mid-size practical bag in two-tone pink and green.  

For people who don’t have time to think about which bag to choose?

The big practical orange or white one.