Who am I ?
My name is Benedicte, founder of AKIKOSMOOD, a creation studio based in Geneva, Switzerland.
Through these lines, here is a little bit of me.
Coming from a family with creative inclinations, my father is a product designer, my mother studied fine arts and my great-grandfather was a pattern designer for the Lyon silk industry at the beginning of the 20th century. It is therefore very early on and without much surprise, inspired by this favourable environment, that I developed a creative eye and spirit as well as a pronounced interest for drawing and more particularly for dressing female models.
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However, my parents wanted me to have a serene and financially stable future, so they encouraged me to follow more conventional studies. I started by working as an executive assistant for several years, until the birth of my children. A period of questioning then followed...
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My love for creating visuals, as well as private lessons with a fashion design teacher from the Haute Ecole d'Art et Design de Genève, only reinforced the evidence that was taking shape. This was an opportunity to re-evaluate my career choices by taking the time to appreciate what matters to me and what makes me truly happy. It is from this moment that my professional life takes a considerable turn, in connection with my inner self. I went back to school to study graphic design. I had to find the link between clothing design and graphic arts, so I specialised in textile design.
Thrown into this new path, which is ultimately an echo of my childhood and my family heritage, I decided to create my own business: my fabric and pattern design studio.
It's a new, exciting and stimulating experience! A world of exchange, sharing and creation.
One of my other passions is Japanese visual culture, which inspires me as much as I admire it.
As a child, I loved to read and I was particularly marked by a story about the adventures of a mischievous and curious little girl, Akiko. As a wink and a tribute, I chose to name my company AKIKOSMOOD, in other words Akiko's mood. In Japan, Akiko is a pretty name given to girls, which refers to autumn and I am an autumn girl born in November. My season is colourful, it prepares nature to rest so that it can regenerate and give its full measure in spring.
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At the origin of my creations, of a new motif, there is inspiration. I draw my inspiration from the world around me. I am insatiably curious and I like to observe my environment to capture its essence.
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Everything inspires me: art in general, nature, architecture and even the industrial environment give me the opportunity, in the manner of Akiko, to look with wonder at a colour, a detail, a shape, an intention...
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Each drawing is a restitution of my vision of the world.
I invite you to discover my universe and wish you a pleasant visit.
I look forward to meeting you and sharing my love of patterns with you.
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Benedicte.