A job to travel
Isabelle studied finance in Nice, a bit by default. This choice of studies turned out well as it opened the door to her first job and first big step abroad with the financial auditing firm Ernst & Young in Gabon. This was culturally-speaking love at first sight. As soon as I set foot in Gabon, I felt at home. This first encounter with Africa leaves a lasting impression; deeply rooted within me is a taste for diversity and eclectics; meeting new people from different cultures. Africa will be a source of inspiration in her future creations. Isabelle enjoys life as a young expatriate in a country that never ceases to amaze her. Some time later, her path crosses that of a family-run business in the gaming industry and with it a new opportunity. Not one to rest on her laurels, she readily joins them as administrative and financial director, dividing her time between Gabon and Cameroon for the next five years. At this point in her career Isabelle decides to return to Paris, a choice that proves disap-pointing. Finding a job was not the problem; simply the spark was gone. Having relished working with charismatic and atypical people, she found her subsequent posts in auditing, then advertising & communications somewhat lacklustre. She only had one thing in mind, to move on. So, when in 2011 her husband announced that he had been offered a job in Shanghai, she was the first to get excited.

Shanghai
Isabelle was immediately smitten with Shanghai. Already the mother of a 2-year-old girl, she gave birth to her second daughter. She quickly felt the need to study Chinese intensively in order to understand her surroundings and interact with people. There is a euphoric side to learning; it is fascinating. Writing reveals a lot about Chinese culture. Within a few months Isabelle was reading Chinese and making herself understood. It was time to find a job. Isabelle's life is punctuated by decisive encounters; this time it was Fred Raillard, co-founder of the Fred & Farid agency, an independent communications group. The agency had just arrived in Shanghai to develop the Chinese market. This was, professionally-speaking, love at first sight. Fred's charisma, open-mindedness and ebul-lient energy corresponded to her adventurous spirit and she comes on board. The team was small; everything had to be created. As financial director, she was also in charge of structuring the agency, human relations, legal affairs, and the recruitment of new staff. We were in start-up mode. I had a ball! The agency grew rapidly. In 2017 Fred Raillard leaves for Los Angeles to open a new agency. This was a blow for Isabelle. I loved working with him.

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Passion for textiles

For some time, Isabelle had started a new extra activity, thanks to an encounter with Muriel, a household linen designer in Shanghai. Muriel was leaving China and was looking for someone to take over her sewing workshop and business. Isabelle joined forces along with four friends to take over the running of Muriel’s business, in addition to their own respective activities. Little by little, Isabelle develops a passion for fabrics. I go to markets and that's where it all started; the profusion of silks, leathers, materials, I imagine the associations. Let's not forget that China is where silk originated and that Shanghai has long been one of the main centres of world textile production. The Shanghai fabric market is huge; spread over three floors. I can spend hours in this market. I like going alone, I feel content there, it's a moment of plenitude. I have a fusional relationship with the fabrics, I need to touch them and talk to the sellers. This time it’s a creative love at first sight. Isabelle starts to design a range of bags and clutches, which become a rapid success. What started as a hobby becomes more and more time-consuming, particularly as her partners decide to move on. Isabelle finds herself with stacks of fabrics and ideas in her spare room at home. Meanwhile, a trusting relationship develops with the studio’s tailor, Quifeng Shuai. Seeing his talent, she sweeps him along in her wake as he accepts the transition from household linen to accessories. It’s a complementary relationship, a story of creativity and mutual understanding. Soon Quifeng Shuai is working exclusively for Isabelle and it's time to really get down to business...

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The adventure begins

Giving up her comfortable position at Fred & Farid to devote herself entirely to her new passion is not an easy task for a fiercely independent woman. Admittedly, her job at the agency is well oiled at this stage, which means it has also become less exciting. I like to be part of an adventure, to build, like in my early days in Africa. She takes the time to reflect, makes her decision with the support of her husband; finds a premises in just one day and has it renovated. In September 2019 Maison Mumu opens and success is quick to follow. I produce a lot, around 30 models in the showroom, each one is limited to 10-20 copies. Everything happens organically, as we grow and evolve and as I discover other workshops. I’ve started to design and create leather bangles thanks to a saddler whose leather miniatures I discovered by chance in the window of another market.