BLUMENHAUS
From Paris, Camille and Isabelle have shaped Blumenhaus, a publication that fuses art, botany and narrative from a sensitive and timeless perspective. In this interview, we talked to them about their creative processes, visual references and the search for quiet beauty that they share with the INDI&COLD universe.
ART, BOTANIC AND CREATIVITY
What led you to create Blumenhaus and what was your initial inspiration?
Having worked for many years for other magazines and brands, we always wanted to create a project together—something totally free, without any boundaries or brief. We did it for our own fun, and the welcome was so incredible that we decided to embark on this adventure. We both love old books and were curious to learn more about botany; the thematic centered around the natural world for a magazine came instantly.
Blumenhaus is described as a hybrid between an art book and a magazine. What is the process of creating each issue like?
It’s a long process. We release one 206-pages issue each year in the autumn. We start working on it and commissioning content in the winter before, and then it’s approximately six months of work. We both work as art directors, and the layouts go from one hand to another until we know it’s exactly what we wanted. We put a lot of effort into making every page super special.
What do you hope readers will feel or experience when they immerse themselves in an issue of Blumenhaus?
We know now that our readers often use our magazines as mood boards. We try to include an interesting mix of deeply inspiring content from all around the world. We want them to dive into the magazines and feel transported, inspired, and learn. That’s also why we opted for a very large page format.
You live in Paris, but there is an obvious connection to the natural in everything you do. Do you look for moments of escape from the city? How do you find that balance?
I live in Paris and Isabelle lives in Brittany. We both have different rhythms and daily relationships with nature, but we both find our balance this way. Isabelle has a garden with a greenhouse and the seaside nearby, and I love the city and have the Buttes Chaumont park next to my apartment where I can go and wander. We also have family in the countryside, so we can go take a break whenever we want.
Let's talk about fashion: How do you relate to it, and what are the key pieces that best define your style?
We are both fond of fashion, from haute couture to ready-to-wear, and appreciate being able to share beautiful fashion editorials in the magazine. As young mums, we personally love comfy clothing, but not too ordinary—it has to have an original touch. This could be a collar detail, an embroidery, a special textile, or a pattern.
What attracted you to the INDI&COLD collaboration?
We were both sensitive to the brand’s world and collections, not to mention the B Corp efforts, which are so important. So, when INDI&COLD reached out for a possible collaboration, we were excited to discover their clothing and wear them for our recent creative retreat with Faire magazine in the South of France.
