A decade living in France inspired Sharon Mann to start her wholesale business Blanc-Leger in 2007, in order to bring the Gallic products she loved to the Australian market.
Mann’s most recent find is homewares label Maison Carree, which offers cushions handmade from vintage fabrics along with candles and room sprays.
“There is so much poetry in the creation of Maison Carree,” says Mann. “The ethos of their company matches ours perfectly.
“[It’s about] small ideas growing into world trends [and] supplying the market with what is not easily available.”
The Maison Carree products—which are available in Australia for the first time with Blanc-Leger—were on show at Life Instyle Sydney, along with items from French labels Un Esprit en Plus and Angel des Montagnes.
“My market is to target French-based companies who design and make product in France, and who do not have a presence in Australia,” explains Mann.
She says her experience living and working in France has been invaluable to the business, as she not only made connections but was exposed to how the industry worked outside of Australia.
“When you have the opportunity to live and work in another country you get to create deep connections and meet like-minded people.
“You get the opportunity to study the language and also work as a local, and not assume that everyone in France does business the same way that everyone in Australia does business.”
With Blanc-Leger celebrating its tenth birthday this year, Mann says the Australian demand for French-made products continues to grow.
“We increasingly meet people who want product made in France and sourced in Europe, and we hope to meet these expectations.”
By Ruth Cooper
