CURATED BY

LAETITIA

ROUGET 

This month, we speak to effortlessly chic and talented

French artist Laetitia Rouget. After studying at Central Saint Martins

School, Laetitia's career began as a fashion designer and her

work soon evolved into playing with different mediums

such as print, textile, paint and ceramic.

What inspires you?

Everything really. Books and nude drawings are always a great source of inspiration for me, but sometimes I can find a lot of inspiration in random things aswell. I love to tell stories, and meeting people from different cultures travelling has always been a great starting point for any of my projects.

Do you come from a creative background?  

Yes for sure. I first came to London to study graphic design and illustration at Central Saint Martin's School. I then did a Masters at London College of Communication. It was a very interesting process, I learned a lot of different things but at the end of my studies I knew I didn't want to be a graphic designer but to really get hands on and create. I first started out as a fashion designer, and absolutely loved to connect with a product I was designed and have freedom in terms of creativity.

Do you have a dream project that you would like to create one day?

My dream project would be to renovate and decorate my own home. I am absolutely passionate about interiors, so this would be an absolute dream come true! I would love to have a pink bathroom with hand drawn tiles that I would design myself, a beautiful green wall with plates and drawings from my favourite artists, and probably a large fresco somewhere. I am starting to collect a lot of beautiful pieces from my different travels, and just can't wait for the day they will have their own home.

"I would love to have a pink bathroom with hand drawn tiles, a beautiful green wall with plates and drawings from my favourite artists."

Being born and raised in Paris, are you inspired by Parisian culture?

Yes of course, I will always be a French girl in London even though I have been living here for 10 years. France and Paris will always be a special place for me, as that is where my family and friends are. I love to go back every few months, but I am very happy to live in London as this is where I call home now.

What is the narrative in your ceramic plates?

The narrative of my plates depends on my mood that day. I never really lack inspiration for ceramics, however painting can be more difficult sometimes. For ceramics I usually start to think about colours and what I want it to portray and then take it from there. I never sketch my plate before but I have a main idea in my head. I like that process as it very liberating, and full of surprises and beautiful mistakes.

How would you describe your work in a few words?

I don't see it as work, and this is the beauty of it. I love the freedom and possibilities I have through being an artist and sometimes living at a different time or place than others.

"I love the freedom and possibility I have through being an artist and sometimes living at a different time or place than others."

How does living in London influence your work?

London is a great place to be if you are an artist. I think London inspires me a lot because of all the amazing designers and artistic community working here. Also the freedom and possibilities that you have. I love the vibe in London, the atmosphere in the streets, the enthusiasm or when there is a ray of sunshine everyone is immediately out in a t-shirt! I love how dynamic the city is I guess, which is slightly different to the vibe in Paris.

Are there other artists who inform your work?

The main artists who inspire me the most are Grayson Perry, Hylton Nel and of course Matisse! But I am also inspired by a lot of upcoming and young designers such as Luke Edward Hall, Rose Electra, Isabella Cotier and Oscar Piccolo.  

Do you sketch your forms before you begin to build or do the shapes come to you during the process?

The shape comes during the process usually, especially for the vases. For the plates, I use moulds that I design myself, so it is easier to control the final shape, but for a vase I always have a rough idea of what I want to do but it does sporadically change a lot during the design process. But I like this, I think it gives each one a unique story.

"I think London inspires me a lot because of the amazing designers and artistic community working here. I love how dynamic the city is, which is slightly different to Paris."

What do you wear when you work?

I usually wear an old pair of jeans so I don't feel guilty if I get messy. I am painting everyday or working on ceramics and both are messy jobs, so I learned to stick to a working outfit.

Is there anywhere else you look to for ideas or motivation?

Ebay and Etsy are a great source of inspiration for me. I love to browse for hours at old ceramic plates, or antique furnitures and buy old napkins whenever I feel down or need a little gift for myself. Instagram is also a great place for ideas these days!

"Books and nude drawings are always a great source of inspiration for me." 

When did you start to build ceramics?

I only started 2 years ago as a hobby after work. Our very kind teacher called Paul was an old man absolutely passionate about ceramics. I designed my first plates with him, and started to get a little understanding of what were the possibilities in ceramic which enticed me and my passion for ceramics even further. Three months after, it was Christmas and I decided to quit my job and become a member of a professional studio. Since then, I never stopped, and I am certain that it was the best decision I ever took in my career.

What was the first piece you created? Do you still have it?

Yes of course I still have it! It's a pink plate with 'LA VIE EN ROSE' written across the boarder with a large woman drawn from the back, as I like to draw them. I remember at the time, I was really conscious about people's point of view, and I didn't want to shock anyone in my class especially Paul our teacher. So I thought it was probably more classy to draw her bottom instead of her sex.

What inspires you?

Everything really. Books and nude drawings are always a great source of inspiration for me, but sometimes I can find a lot of inspiration in random things aswell. I love to tell stories, and meeting people from different cultures travelling has always been a great starting point for any of my projects.

Do you have a dream project that you would like to create one day?

My dream project would be to renovate and decorate my own home. I am absolutely passionate about interiors, so this would be an absolute dream come true! I would love to have a pink bathroom with hand drawn tiles that I would design myself, a beautiful green wall with plates and drawings from my favourite artists, and probably a large fresco somewhere. I am starting to collect a lot of beautiful pieces from my different travels, and just can't wait for the day they will have their own home.

Being born and raised in Paris, are you inspired by Parisian culture?

Yes of course, I will always be a French girl in London even though I have been living here for 10 years. France and Paris will always be a special place for me, as that is where my family and friends are. I love to go back every few months, but I am very happy to live in London as this is where I call home now.

What is the narrative in your ceramic plates?

The narrative of my plates depends on my mood that day. I never really lack inspiration for ceramics, however painting can be more difficult sometimes. For ceramics I usually start to think about colours and what I want it to portray and then take it from there. I never sketch my plate before but I have a main idea in my head. I like that process as it very liberating, and full of surprises and beautiful mistakes.

How does living in London influence your work?

London is a great place to be if you are an artist. I think London inspires me a lot because of all the amazing designers and artistic community working here. Also the freedom and possibilities that you have. I love the vibe in London, the atmosphere in the streets, the enthusiasm or when there is a ray of sunshine everyone is immediately out in a t-shirt! I love how dynamic the city is I guess, which is slightly different to the vibe in Paris.

Are there other artists who inform your work?

The main artists who inspire me the most are Grayson Perry, Hylton Nel and of course Matisse! But I am also inspired by a lot of upcoming and young designers such as Luke Edward Hall, Rose Electra, Isabella Cotier and Oscar Piccolo.  

Do you sketch your forms before you begin to build or do the shapes come to you during the process?

The shape comes during the process usually, especially for the vases. For the plates, I use moulds that I design myself, so it is easier to control the final shape, but for a vase I always have a rough idea of what I want to do but it does sporadically change a lot during the design process. But I like this, I think it gives each one a unique story.

Is there anywhere else you look to for ideas or motivation?

Ebay and Etsy are a great source of inspiration for me. I love to browse for hours at old ceramic plates, or antique furnitures and buy old napkins whenever I feel down or need a little gift for myself. Instagram is also a great place for ideas these days!