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We are always happy when we work with you. You are also always happy when you work, so what do you think is the most important part when working?
Valentine
I’m also always so happy to work with you. The collaborators at BeneBene are so enthusiastic and that’s very contagious. All parts of work are important for me.
The real essence and kick in my job is understanding my client’s request. It’s almost like telepathy. I’m eager to “nail it’ when it comes to understanding what the client’s sense or image is that he or she is having about the project.
Once I get the intention, I do some image research in books or on the web, depending on the project.
Ideas will come up and I’ll create the drawing composition in my head. I try different ones mentally, until I find one that brings me a spark of excitement. It needs that bit of excitement in order for it to be a good drawing. I clarify the idea of the drawing as much as possible in my head. The clearer the idea, the better the drawing. If I don’t picture clearly what I’m about to draw, I usually fail.
Most of the time, I then have to start the drawing over and over again until I reach the wanted composition, trying to keep the energy and spontaneity of the first draft. The best ones are usually the first drawings.
Valentine de Cort ©Jean Lim
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What's your daily routine?
Valentine
I wish I had one and could share useful tips for you to use. But I’m very bad at routines. Like very very bad.
Luckily I spend most of my working days in a bureau with other creatives. It helps me organize my day.
BeneBene x Valentine de Cort Collection ©BeneBene
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Belgium, the city where you live.. And Paris, the city that Valentin often visits, please recommend a good place to go with child in both cities.
Valentine
In Paris I would of course recommend La Maison des Histoires, rue de Sèvres in the 6th arrondissement. I was lucky to work on this project. It’s a play museum attached to a wonderful children library called Chantelivre, that I highly recommend. Be sure to book it in advance, cause it has been taken by storm.
And the good thing is the museum is a 15 minutes walking distance from the Parc du Luxembourg and its little boats you can rent for the kids to play with. It’s also 15 minutes away from the Deyrolle boutique and its paradise of stuffed animals. A must see for kids. They even have a stuffed unicorn.
In Brussels, the atelier de moulage at the musée d’art et d’histoire is worth seeing and a good canvas to tell a kid a million stories.
I would also recommend the musée des sciences naturelles. They have a large dinosaur collection.
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Could you please introduce your favorite fairy tale book? I want you to share the reasons why you like that fairy tale book!
Valentine
I grew up without a TV. I was surrounded by tons of children books so it’s difficult to choose one.
The one that first comes to mind that could appeal to the BeneBene audience is ‘the secret staircase’ by Jill Barklem.
It’s not so much the story but the drawings that gave me a ‘coup de coeur’ when I was little.
Two chubby mice live with their family in an oak tree in a decor that looks like an English cottage, filled with old pots and pans. You can look at the images forever. They have an astonishing amount of details, all painted with such attention and care.
The mice discover a hidden staircase behind a curtain. It will lead them to long forgotten rooms in the oak tree that are absolutely magical. I wished so deeply as a kid that I had such a hidden place in my real house.
* BeneBene Team: This book is published in Korea as Jill Barclem’s ‘Secret Staircase’ (Mamubul Publishing).
The Secret Staircase ©Valentine
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“Good taste" is also the word that BeneBene considers most important. Please share your thoughts on good taste and what you like.
Valentine
Taste is like beauty I guess. It’s in the eye of the beholder? I personally find it a little prevailing to talk about ‘good taste’ because I don’t think I have good taste. But I like to play with taste.
I am more classic in the images I produce than in the objects I like to surround myself with. When it comes to objects, I like them a little ‘edgy ugly’.
100% good taste in my surroundings is a little boring to me. I like when there is a disruptive element. It creates a tension that makes the object or ensemble come alive.
When it comes to drawings and images I produce, it’s a different story. I try as much as I can to make them stand the test of time. That’s really important to me.
I don’t like drawings that look computer made. I’m not fond of fake effects and unnecessary elements. They don’t bring something to the table for me.
I mainly like esthetics, techniques, colors, fabrics from the past. With a little twist that makes them contemporary and a tiny bit disruptive.
That’s why I love, love, love to work with BeneBene. We share this passion (and excitement) for timeless esthetics I think. And a huge love for gorgeous and natural fabrics.
I support BeneBene. Long live BeneBene!
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