A Mother's Day chitchat with Valery and Elle

A Mother–Daughter Interview for Mother’s Day with Valery (co-owner LRDM petits and mother of three; Yves (8yrs), Elle (6yrs) and Alain (3yrs) and her daughter Elle.

Sometimes the best way to hold on to time is to write it down. This Mother’s Day, I sat down to talk with Elle, my sweet, thoughtful, creative daughter. Let’s get started, and good to know, we’ll be jumping from topic to topic, but that is exactly how it should be when chatting with a 6 year old. 

 

Elle: What is your favourite color?

Me: Yellow!                                                                                   
Elle: Mine is pink. And glitter. And all rainbow colors.

Me: What’s your favourite thing we do together?                                                          

Elle: Drawing. Cooking. Cuddling. And when we play together,  just you and me.                         
Me: I love that too. You see all the little things. That’s what I love so much about childhood, how you notice and appreciate everything.

Elle: What do you love about me?                                                                                         

Me: Everything. The way you think, the way you care, how you move through the world so gently. You take care of people, you’re patient, soft, funny, smart, and completely yourself. It’s a privilege to be your mom.                                                                                                   

Elle: I love that you’re always sweet. And helpful. And when we’re together, I know you’re really with me. And you're my class mom, I love that.                                                               

Me: Yes, class mom times three. And I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Me: What’s something you’re proud of?                                                                             

Elle: That I am sweet and I am very proud of my family.                                                       

Me: You really are. Sweet in a way that makes people feel happy just being around you.

Elle: What was I like as a baby?                                                                                           

Me: You were very easy. So happy and content. You always felt super safe with us, and especially with your big brother Yves and later on with Alain too. That bond was there from the very beginning.

Me: What is your favourite childhood memory so far?

Elle: I think that we buy cakes every Saturday and celebrate the weekend together.

Me: What is your favourite memory of clothing you’ve worn?                                       

Elle: Wearing the dresses that were yours when you were a child.                                           

Me: I love that so much. I think it’s so special, that’s also why we try to encourage people to pass down LRDM Petits clothes from one child to another. How beautiful that I have a memory in the dress you’re wearing now, and you’re creating your own special memories in the same piece. What is your favorite piece of the LRDM collection?                                       

Elle: All the dresses and skirts, especially the pink ones!

Elle: What’s your favourite place we’ve been?                                                                   

Me: That’s hard to choose, we’ve travelled to many beautiful places but Botswana and Namibia really stand out to me. You were so small, and I love looking back at those photos. And of course, France, which is such a big part of your background. I love that you speak the language and feel at home there. And what about you?   

Elle: France and I think South Africa because of the beautiful animals there. 

Elle: What is your favourite fragrance?                                                               
Me: I always combine and layer several fragrances, I never wear just one.

Elle: Favourite sound?                                                                                                         

Me: The three of you laughing. I love music, the sound of birds and rain on our roof when we’re in bed.

Elle: Favourite animal?                                                                                                         

Me: It used to be a panda when I was little. I love animals so much, but if I had to choose, I think a zebra. And a swan, as they are known for their love and loyalty.

Elle: What would you eat every day if you could?                                                             

Me: Cordon bleu, the way daddy makes it. Or truffle pasta, so, so good. And poulet au citron.

Elle: What is your hobby?                                                                                                     

Me: Spending time with you, your brothers and dad. Travelling. And photography! 

Elle: What is your favorite dress for me to wear?                                                                 

Me: I love the Fleur dress on you, the color tones are gorgeous for you and the print is so romantic.  

Me: My turn, Elle!

Me: What’s your favourite animal?                                                                                     

Elle: A pink unicorn.

Me: What makes you laugh really hard?                                                                             

Elle: Alain when he dances. And when Yves makes silly voices. And I love jokes.

Me: If you could eat one thing forever?                                                                             

Elle: Pancakes with Nutella!

Me: Favourite book right now?                                                                                         

Elle: Maman et moi.

Me: What makes you feel brave?                                                                                     

Elle: Doing a trick on the climbing frame at school.

Me: What makes you really happy?                                                                                 

Elle: When we all do something together. And when my friends are happy.

Elle: What did you want to be when you were younger?

Me: I dreamed of so many things. When I was really little, I just wanted to be Pippi Langkous when I grew up, her adventures always seemed so amazing.

My education was very different from anything related to building a brand, but I always knew I wanted to do something creative, that’s where my passion lies. But I believe it is important, if possible of course, to have a solid education you can always depend on.

Me: And you? What do you want to be?

Elle: I think I want to be a pizza baker with my brothers and a ballet dancer.

Me: And what’s your dream?

Elle: To play a lot, paint my room walls pink, rollerskate, and be with you. What about you?

Me: My dream is for the people I love to stay healthy and happy. I hope you grow up to be the loving, kind people you already are and always feel how deeply you’re loved. I dream that the three of you get to make your dreams come true.

For LRDM Petits, my dream is to keep growing, to share our stories with more people, and to make even more children happy wearing our clothes. There are so many exciting things ahead!

Elle: Can I ask about LRDM? Am I really your muse?                                                     

Me: You are. All kids are. When Floor and I design we look at the way you play, the things you draw, the colours you mix, the softness you bring, that is what inspires the brand. You remind me of what childhood really feels like. That’s why the collection always starts with children.

Elle: If I want to have my own brand one day, what should I remember?                      

Me: Be true to who you are. Stay unique and close to your own taste, your own rhythm. Work hard, be kind. Ask questions. Don’t rush. Wish the best for everyone, there is enough room for all of us. 

Me: Do you have something to say to the kids that wear LRDM petits?                       

Elle: Yes! That I hope they are happy, and wear dresses they love, and do fun things. And that someone tells them they are special.                                                                             

Me: That is beautiful. I hope that the LRDM Petits, the kids who wear our brand, feel confident and free. That they know they can reach for the stars, dream big, and truly achieve anything they want. That they always remember to be good, and kind.

Elle: Where do you think we’ll be in ten years?                                                               

Me: That we are still this close. I hope we still sit at the table like this. You with your sketchbook. Yves building something and Alain making up stories and dad makes us lunch, while we celebrate Mother’s Day together, that is my wish. Now let's pack everything and go to the beach together.

Yves, Elle and Alain: YES!

And that's a wrap. From our family to yours, we wish you a Mother's Day filled with love, cuddles, creativity and stories worth remembering. Love, Valéry & Elle