1. Coco Brun, Forget Her Not
November 27, 2014
Written by: Kaelie Kelleher
Coco Brun is a French designer and illustrator whose design
studio, Forget Me Not, has been turning her
meticulous illustrations into digital prints since 2009. Aside
from her line of silk scarves, turbans, bags, towels and
cushions that have already been realized, she has
collaborated with, and been published by, the most
reputable names in the industry. Coco’s prints, no matter the
medium, pull you right into her hand designed, alternative
universe, each one a dream from which we don’t want to
wake up.
Standing behind a remarkably colorful career, Coco Brun is
coolheaded and even more like us than you would imagine,
admitting that Pinterest is an enormous source of inspiration
for her. Currently designing for fashion, beauty and interior
design, her expertise spans many fields and just as many
cities and it’s no wonder the world is all wrapped up in her
work.
What was your first experience with design or art?
I started very, very early by working for different designers,
specifically Belgium designers, and then I also worked for
magazines. Next, I moved to London where I worked with
UK accessories designers and began my journey in fashion,
despite the fact that I was also studying applied arts.

2. When did you realize that drawing would be your
career?
It was a bit by chance, in fact. When I began to draw, I had
friends who asked me to create drawings for their
magazines, which is where I started. Next, I had a friend who
suggested that I make these designs for scarves, which is
how my first prints came to be, by chance.
How would you describe your creative process?
How I work is that I use graphic shapes mixed with illustrated
elements, on a graphic base of symbols and circles and
collage them together. With silk scarves, I actually work in a
very traditional manner because they are composed of a
square, which has to be a shape of agreement on someone.
On the other hand, when I work on the beach
towels that I started creating recently with my friend, there is
a different way to approach it.
Aside from scarves, beach towels, etcetera, where
would you like to see your designs next?
What I would like to work with next is more design. To do
interior design, ceramics and tapestry…I love rugs!
After living in London and traveling throughout Asia,
what brought you back to Paris ultimately?
For my family and for my friends, I work with all of my friends
here. It’s practical to be in Paris, it is small and very
convenient…although I do travel to London often.

3. If you could relocate to anywhere in the world, would
you?
That’s a very difficult question because I don’t always know
where I want to live or where I want to go. I really like…
perhaps New York, where the routine is very different, or
maybe Asia.
As for Paris, I find that it is very convenient because it is
in the middle, but I would love to go to the United States or
even Brazil. I would actually love to go back to Brazil, it is a
very cool place.
Where do you look when you need fresh inspiration for
your designs?
The library, firstly, is a place where I normally go, but I have
to say that other than that I use pinterest enourmously- it’s
truly genius. I have all of my boards on Pinterest and I really
do get a lot of inspiration from there and from Tumblr. They
both help me organize information and allow me to see the
trends a little bit, it’s truly a blend of images.
However, I do love the library and in Paris there are
very beautiful libraries, like little castles full of old books; lots
of Arabic books and such. But if not, I love pinterest.
Do you have a favorite project from the past? Or
Collaboration?
At the moment I am very happy with the collaboration that I
did working with my friend, on the collection of high-end
beach towels. It is based in the United States and completely
modern, all fabricated in France and Italy, and printed in
Italy.

4. For this project I worked with all different industries,
many new people and many different crafts that were very
interesting to discover. It is most interesting to work on new
designs, new projects, and even to reflect on how you can
print on other mediums.
Many of your illustrations are inspired by dream like
scenarios, what do you dream of?
I use the elements of nature a lot, because I think that nature
is something mysterious that needs to be protected. It’s truly
magical because it is wild. There is an entire universe that is
very mystical and magical and I am interested in it all…all
that is symbolic, so those are what I use to create my
designs.
What’s it like to see your designs actualized, worn
around peoples necks and heads?
When I make a design, I have all of the elements together in
one drawing. I scan it and then I make a final version in
photoshop. Then, I receive the design on fabric, which is
actually very different by that point, because I have never
seen it materialized.
When wrapped around the neck, a print
becomes completely different. So when you see your design
worn on somebody, it is easily reimagined, and this is what I
find fun.
Honestly it is always a surprise when I receive the
prints on the towels and other objects, so it’s very interesting
to see how others will use them. That’s what’s so interesting
about working with these materials.

5. How would you describe your working style?
I think it is a mix of “old school.” I use all of the elements like
painting, collage, montage, and then after there is truly a
digital side that I use for the prints, so it is really two
processes that come together and are combined. However, I
love all of the artisanal work, all that is made working
by hand, and that’s why I’m happy to be in Paris and to work
in Italy, where they have knowledge of very old methods that
can be used by the people. I love the artisanal work, which I
believe you have the chance to see here in Europe.
Do you always have a story in mind, behind each
illustration?
No, not always, it depends. If I am working for a client or a
friend, then it is a true exchange that moves in a different
direction, and off you go! But many times it is especially a
reflection and after, I know how to make it work with the rest
of the collection as a whole. To make a good drawing is one
thing, but then to create drawings that work well together,
that is much more complicated…very difficult indeed, but it’s
necessary to ensure there is an agreement between all of
the prints.
What is your WILD Wish?
For now, I wish that people could be more open-minded, and
more respectful towards others as well as towards the
planet.