Photo by | Anne Lapina
Do you dream of the day when you can host dinner parties for family and friends? Does the thought of vintage porcelain fill you with excitement? Then you will love this interview with Ajiri Aki, the founder and owner of Madame de la Maison. Ajiri’s love for vintage porcelain led her to create her brand where you can buy or rent beautiful pieces that she’s discovered at brocantes and markets around France as well as her own line of sustainable linens.
Ajiri began her career in the fashion industry working with notable fashion brands and co-authored Where’s Karl? A Fashion Forward Parody with Stacey Caldwell. Her work has also been featured in Vogue, Domino and she is also one of the innovative women in Lindsey Tramuta’s latest book, The New Parisienne (starting on pg. 96).
In this interview Ajiri shares about when she first came up with the idea for Madame de la Maison, what dishes she serves when hosting a salon with circle of creatives and her words of advice for women who dream of founding their own brands.
Courtesy of Madame de la Maison
You were born in Nigeria, moved to the States when you were five, and lived in both Austin, Texas and New York City where you worked in the magazine industry. It’s also where you met your husband Thomas. If someone had told you that you would be living in Paris, surrounded by creatives and running your own brand, what would you have said?
I definitely wouldn’t have believed them. Of course I always had big dreams but many upsets along the way sometimes made it cloudy to see what was on the other side.
When did you first come up with the idea for Madame de la Maison?
Long story short: I was having some wine in the countryside at a home of a dear friend and we were discussing turning passions into purpose. She is one of those friends every girl needs who loves having these kinds of conversations to encourage her girls. I wasn’t sure what my next move in work was. She has actually always pushed me to do something around entertaining and gatherings since I am always hosting. We talked it out, I did some research, got quiet, listened et voila: Madame de la Maison was born shortly after.
Photo credit | Victoria Kolotova
Through your brand Madame de la Maison you’ve had to the opportunity to work with both expats and French clients. What do you enjoy the most about helping clients find the perfect piece for their special occasion?
The hunt for the perfect pieces and doing the work to find ideas and inspiration for sure.
The Madame de la Maison brand offers a collection of feminine and vintage finds that you’ve made around France. Have you always had a love for vintage porcelain?
I have always had a love of pretty porcelain plates which I write about in a blog post on my site. I started off being obsessed with vintage fashion and that extended to tabletop when I studied the decorative arts in graduate school and was exposed to different decorative styles and material culture.
Photo by | @oliverflyphotography
Where have you made one of your most unique and beloved finds?
Ooooh there have been so many so this is hard to narrow down to one. There was the time I followed some signs on the road to find a flea market of pitched tents and blankets near a lake in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. There I found an amazing almost unused full 70 piece set of gold vermeil and silver cutlery. I posted a pic on Instagram stories of my find and had a buyer in 5 minutes.
How has your love of art and fashion influenced what styles of vintage tableware, books and artwork that you rent/sell on Madame de la Maison?
Well my love of art and the decorative arts (which includes fashion) makes me curious so I am constantly consuming information, reading and researching. This influences and informs what I choose.
Photo by | @oliverflyphotography
In addition to your vintage finds, you also produce your own line of locally made linens. How long after founding Madame de la Maison did you decide to add linens to your shop?
Madame de la Maison actually started with the idea to create linens and while researching how I would produce them I decided to also work with vintage pieces. I wanted a sustainable approach to the whole table.
What are some of the pieces you like to use and culinary dishes that you like to serve when you hold a salon in your home?
The pieces I use change which each gathering. It depends on what we are eating or if I am serving buffet style or sit down. I lean more to buffet style these days so friends can wander around between the terrace and main rooms. As for culinary dishes…hmm… I am pretty lazy and like to keep things easy. I always serve dishes that are easy to whip together, or lay out boards with charcuterie and cheese then add a salad. I am more interested in enjoying my friends and my guests feeling good in my home. That also means if I have to order take out and then lay it out on pretty dishes then I will.
Courtesy of Madame de la Maison
Since moving to Paris, you’ve had the chance to meet some of the notable creatives who call the city home. What do you enjoy most about meeting new people and learning about their passions?
Just that! It’s exciting to meet new people from diverse backgrounds. I am a lover of oral history and storytelling so I am interested and fueled by listening to other people’s stories. I have met so many amazing authors, journalist, entrepreneurs, photographers, and film makers here. They are mostly expats and immigrants. We all are curious about how the other one ended up in Paris and each other’s lives before.
What is the best part about living in Paris, and where are some of your favorite spots to visit in your arrondissement?
I love the energy and the beauty of the city. Every street you turn down there is always some treasure awaiting. Either a beautiful old building or a new cafe or restaurant. So much to discover always. I live in the 11th close to the Marais (3rd) and the Canal St. Martin (10th) so I spend my time equally walking between these three. My fave lunch spots are The Hood (Singaporean food) and Green House (mix of tacos and asian flavours). Both are owned and run by women and equally have a fun vibe with amazing food. I love getting lunch or dinner at Siseng (Laotian food) and sitting on the canal. Yume and Buly are my spot for finding presents for people and occasionally myself.
Courtesy of Madame de la Maison
What are your words of advice for women who want to start their own brands?
First of all, do your research. That work is very important to know your market and feel confident about what you doing because you have done your research. Once you have done your research and start putting your brand together don’t be afraid to share it. I shared what I was doing before I fully launched and got a lot of feedback, advice, and encouragement. Sometimes you have to start before you are fully ready. Also remember that perfection is the enemy of progress.
Photo credit | Anne Lapina
Shop Madame de la Maison and follow along via Instagram @madamedelamaison
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