Styled by Madame: Cire Trudon Dinner

A few months ago I worked on the art direction and scenography of two new fragrances for Cire Trudon with my team. The brand was understandably secretive about the launch but sent me a few cryptic suggestions with notes from the nose, aka the fragrance creator, that included citrus and white flowers.

To be completely honest, I am always equally terrified and exited about a new challenge. My first thought is what if I do something boring or the client hates it? What if they have expectations of me that I can't meet? So many emotions, but the truth is I love a little push because it forces me to dig in and get truly creative. I immediately dreamed up a citrus runner, which I have never done before, and had no idea what it could look like. Ha!  I asked my illustrator friend Jessie Kanelos Weiner to sketch up some ideas to help me visualize what the idea in my mind might actually look like. (I also made a practice runner for her babyshower and added giant cabbages on the table since the French love calling babies petit chou, or "little cabbage" in English. The result: a long dramatic table with a Bleu Minuit tablecloth, Mais napkins and a 4 meter (13 feet) citrus runner. The drama was perfectly perched in the middle of a Rive Gauche private apartment chock full of antiques. 

You can make a citrus runner too for your next event or gather. Here's what you need:

• Floral mouse
• Toothpicks and kebab sticks 
• A selection of citrus fruits with different sizes like lemons, limes, oranges, clementines, grapefruits, kumquats, etc... 
• Greenery such as eucalyptus, olive leaves, mimosa leaves, or whatever is in season at your local florist.

1. First soad the floral mouse in a bath of water till it is wet and ready.

2. Then cut half the fruit and leave the other half whole. You can also cut as you go along. Alternate a selection of cut and whole fruit for a nice display. You will just have to play around with it until you see a pattern or grouping you like. Use the toothpicks or kebab sticks to secure the fruit to the floral mouse. 

3. Finally add some greenery around the base and throughout the holes where you can see the mouse.

Et voila! Easy but beautiful centrepiece! 

Pinterest away darlings to inspire your own citrus runner. Photos by Pierre-Yves Queignec.

Bisous xx,
Ajiri