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.
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...
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.
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.
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...
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.
Benedicte.