by Cherie Birkner

“Life is much cooler when everyone is happy at work, proud of what they do and in harmony with their values!”

Aude Durou is the designer behind OMBRE CLAIR, where she has found a way to align her values with her work “I give meaning to my actions, and see meaning everywhere”. For her working in a sustainable manner is something unquestionable, “it should be the normal way”.

For her it is important to have fun at work; with her colleague Axelle – who she met in a Tuareg tent - she often chooses the shows where they exhibit according to the cities they want to visit, “we try to have fun at each stage of our work“. This does not only count for her and Axelle, but for everyone involved, including the artisans making the jewellery: “life is much cooler when everyone is happy at work, proud of what they do and in harmony with their values”!

The production of OMBRE CLAIRE is based in the Tuaregs in “the middle of the Sahara” in Niger, which is part of Aude's family heritage “I love the place and the people who live there”. Aude, herself, lives in Paris where she sees the fast life, the infinite amount of images permanently providing inspiration “I could spend my time zapping from one idea to another” but she likes to take the time to really observe one piece she designs. And this, aside from the essential ethical pillars, is the core philosophy of OMBRE CLAIRE: “We take time to listen, to watch, to transmit. We create together”. This gives room for those involved to meet and connects different cultures in a 'slow' style.

“I think slow is very valuable nowadays, it's basically the essence of creation, of human intelligence. When people take the time to observe, analyse, and find solutions of how to make an object I really see intelligence!”