Today we’d like to introduce you to Tarik Koivisto.
Hi Tarik, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started out my career in San Francisco in the late 90s—working in the innovative world of internet start-ups across roles in: product development, editorial, and marketing. After riding the highs and lows of the start-up life, I craved more balance and creativity in my work, so I went back to school to pursue my passion for design and photography at UC Berkeley. By the time my two sons were 2 and 4, I had my own freelance branding firm, and my husband and I lived very busy lives in the Bay Area while balancing shuttling kids around to school and nannies. I always wanted to be present for my kids and felt like we needed a better life/work balance, so I lead the charge for a move to the South of France, where my husband, Mathieu, is from where it seemed we could create a simpler, beautiful life and that we did. We settled on Provence and its gorgeous natural beauty, amazing markets, and artistic history, which pulled at my heartstrings each year we would visit nearby family.
In 2011, we found a quite little Provencal hilltop village with great schools just outside of Aix-en-Provence, where I worked for both French and American clients on branding projects for nearly two years. I started to feel a creative energy and richness in the Provence that had inspired so many artists, past and present. I wanted to create something deeper and more meaningful this time that combined my passion for this amazing place and my loves of design and photography. I had always dreamed of a studio where I could design my own line of products both fashion and home, so I set out in a mindful way that would support the local artisans and preserve the French savoir-faire and handcrafted heritage, launching my slow fashion line for Luxe Provence in 2017.
With each new Luxe Provence season, my limited edition designed collections began selling out quickly to discerning clients around the globe. I am proud to use natural and sustainable textiles, primarily linen, which requires very little water to grow. I design each of my slow fashion collections from my hilltop village inspired by the beauty of Provence, working locally with the finest artisans and couturiers in France.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Honestly, I think if you ask any entrepreneur, you’ll have the same response. Absolutely not a smooth road. I have overcome chronic illness, two years of Covid production supply chain, and production delays. My atelier was even closed down during Covid by the French government as it was requisitioned to make gowns and masks for the hospitals. But here I am in 2023 with two amazing ateliers in Provence and Paris, ready to expand into new markets.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
As a late-blooming fashion designer, I believe I approach design from a more practical and timeless perspective. I truly want to create pieces that make all women feel confident and beautiful with effortlessly chic, classic designs that may be worn for years to come. I want women to feel happy and confident walking down the street in my flowing linen jumpsuits. To be free and easy, pulling on one of my romantic dresses designed to be worn barefoot in the garden by day and paired with heels at night. The Luxe Provence collections combine French savoir-faire with classic silhouettes and are made using only the highest quality fabrics, such as OEKO-Tex-certified European linen, silk cotton voiles, and sustainably-sourced haute couture dead stock (luxury, end of series fabrics sourced from Italy). Luxe Provence is a woman-run, independent fashion brand, and I am proud to create collections that are ethically, Made in France.
To me, slow fashion means quality, over quantity, with sustainable design always top of mind.
We use a pre-order system to help us plan for demands and sizing to avoid over-producing. All of our Luxe Provence collections are made in the finest French ateliers in both Provence and Paris, proudly working locally with highly skilled couturières and the best seamstresses in France.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Authenticity, transparency, and quality.
Pricing:
- Dresses range from 325 – 595
Contact Info:
- Website: www.luxe-provence.shop
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luxeprovence/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/luxeprovence/
Image Credits
Tarik Koivisto
Louise Pascal
Emmanuelle Houvenagel
