Freelance designer specialising in leather clothing and accessories design, Marina Dias has been the brand's artistic director since 2020 Cordiz.
Luxury French leather goods maker Cordiz was founded by her father, Flavien Dias, in 1988.
After being dormant for a few years, the brand is being revived under the impetus of Marina, who designs very limited-edition models and takes part in strategic discussions with her father, with the aim of offering an environment — for work and for the planet — that is ecological for everyone.
Their wish is to create a new paradigm of conscious consumption and production — hence the Cordiz tagline, «for bags that stand the test of time».
Marina left Paris 6 years ago to live on the Landes coast and she tells us in particular how her new life enables her to be much more in tune with her fundamental needs.
She regularly travels back and forth to Paris — because you never really leave Paris! — but if I chose to interview her at her home in Seignosse, it’s because it’s my favourite region.
We covered many topics, such as:
– working in fashion without living in Paris
– the advantages and challenges of a family business
- her methodology as a freelance designer working for several brands, as well as for the family business
– his leadership within a freelance team
– the difficulties in recruiting and retaining craftspeople, and keeping precious skills alive
– communication and collaboration with the agency Frontrow Paris
Granddaughter of the painter François Bret, who founded the’Luminy School of Fine Arts and Architecture in Marseille,
And daughter of Marie-Christine and Roger Pailhas, famous for the eponymous gallery in Marseille and also founder of Art dealers, which he liked to describe as «the smallest art fair in the world»,
Julie Pailhas has always been immersed in art — and entrepreneurship.
She started alongsideOlivier Saillard at the Fashion Museum in Marseille, before doing an internship in the press department of Dries Van Noten in Paris.
From opportunity to recommendation, Julie then worked as a fashion stylist and artistic director for numerous iconic magazines for 25 years.
And then lockdown called her back to her home city, Marseille, where she created in 2021 Inanimate Objects, her flat-gallery.
Stylist – curator – gallery owner, Julie is renowned for her discerning eye, her flair and a certain radicalism.
It was the first time I'd met her, and I couldn't leave!
Together, we naturally talked about her journey, and how she managed to find her place within such a family; ;
And, of course, the design and organisation of its exhibitions, whether held on-site or off-site; ;
From its business model; ;
And how and why it differs from a traditional gallery.
With the desire to showcase emerging or established artists, Julie Pailhas has created, in her own home, a unique space that reflects her personality and brings people together.
Portrait of Julie and her cat Momo in her flat-gallery in Marseille © Florian Touzet
If you’d like to find out more about what I call Creative Management, I dedicated a full episode to it a few months ago.
Today, I would like to take a closer look at one aspect of Creative Management: team-building.
What exactly does it involve?
What are the benefits?
I also share a great example, as well as a counter-example, from my own experience as an employee.
And bonus: I talk about my favourite sports coach, Ted Lasso. (no spoiler as I haven’t started Series 4 yet).
If you're interested in offering your team a workshop / team-building / training session, do drop me an email! lbm@lilibonnet.com
I can organise and facilitate almost anywhere in the world 🙂
