Caroline Nammour’s kitschy brand, Batenjeneh

Caroline tell us about how you started?

Well, I worked in advertising for 20+ years ( sixteen of them in Paris) but when I left the agency back in 2011, I knew I wanted a change. I needed some time to think about my next steps and a friend suggested that since I knew how to draw, I should design some cool mugs. I thought why not get into this niche of “ touristic design” and create something cool other than the typical and traditional Cedar, Lebanese flag and Bad Fonts designs! That’s how I started. I later added new creations and my mother helped me with the sewing samples. I love being creative director, and getting to do things that I like having to do my own market research. Its a tiny brand and we’re doing well but since most of the products are handmade, the production process is long!

Favorite websites, blogs, social media handles?

• I don’t have a favorite website I typically read Scientific and cultural articles on French sites.

• On social media I am active on my handle, batenjeneh (follow me).

  I stopped buying magazines ages ago, but when I was in advertising I loved The Face, Id, Dazed and Confused, Wallpaper, etc.

What are your greatest inspirations or influences?

•  I find inspiration everywhere. In the streets, in books, from the internet, on television.

• Ugly things, beautiful things, nature, anything really can trigger an idea.

• and the discovery of David Bowie when I was 11 or 12, was a massive inspiration!