WFH Diaries | With bridal powerhouse Rime Arodaky

“Flowers delivered by my muse model with a note, Halcyon, and a video made by my team for our postponed wedding. It brought so many tears to my eyes!” Rime Arodaky on an act of kindness that she’s really appreciated during lockdown

To say that interviewing the achingly cool bridal powerhouse, Rime Arodaky for the WFH Diary series was a serious high point, is an understatement. As a bridal designer who continues to effortlessly break the rules when it comes to ‘traditional’ bridalwear and unveil gowns, jumpsuits and separates steeped in the iconic attitude and spirit of the label, Rime is a true inspiration for the industry. Brides across the globe get to unleash their inner, free-spirited style maven with the designer’s beautifully crafted designs, while breathing personality and undeniable sass into their wedding day as they hit the aisle. The brand’s latest collection, Stardust released a “stardust babe” who is “warrior of the universe. Made of cosmic dreams and falling stars. She is empowered. She chooses bold over safe,” and she is the eptiome of bridal cool. The runway show for the collection – as you can see from the below – was GLORIOUS, and I’m in fact considering having the words: “life regrets: not making the Rime Arodaky’s Stardust show in Paris” plastered on my tombstone. I caught up with Rime to get the low-down on her lockdown…

Photography by the talented Greg Finck

#1 Provide us with three words that sum-up how you were feeling about lockdown when it first started, and then three words about how you feel now:

Before: “Inspired, strong, fearless, humble and grateful.”
After: “More inspired, stronger, still fearless, even more humble and grateful.”

#2 What time do you get up? Did this change in lockdown? Was life a little slower? Talk to us about your usual daily routine and how this was changed by lockdown…

“Same hour as I have a two year old – so no time to chill! Everyday at 7am! The only thing that changed is that we took long baths in the mornings with baby, we did long walks in the forest as we were in Provence. So closer to nature and enjoying more family time :).”

#3 How did lockdown impact your business, and how can people (brides/the wedding industry) support you now?

“It actually didn’t much because 80% of our sales happen in the winter (Sept-March) and for this we were super lucky. Our e-shop did a terrific season, thanks to people switching their wedding to an elopment! So our bridal online retail strategy definitely was a huge help. Then, as we were having an amazing year, we went from an amazing year with double digit growth to a good year, still with growth but a little smaller.

The only thing we ask is for brides to come and pick up their gown and pay for it fully even if their wedding is postponed. Cashflow is key and they definitely have to understand we are not small but not big. We rely on their balance due, and we produce their gown even during lockdown. We paid for fabrics, people, making, a whole chain of production in case weddings were back on track. We couldn’t afford delays and we took the risk for them.”

#4 Name three local businesses/small Instagram businesses you are supporting or would like to support more…

No.1 “Flair in the city, a local Parisian pet shop I love so much.”

No.2 “Nyx Vegan restaurant in NYC ( they just closed, I am crushed).”

No.3 “All my creative friends in the wedding buisness in France, like Pascal Dele ( videographer) , les Domaines de Patras ( Wedding Venue), Maison Sabben (jewellery designer) and Harold James (MUHA artist).”

#5 What is/what was your favourite isolation snack?

“I’ve put on 2kg and am not ashamed about it lol. It is and was definitely chocolate bars and homemade pizzas.”

#6 Before lockdown eased slightly, what was your most recommended quarantine pick-me-up when you were feeling down?

“I need creative projects. A collection, a capsule, a photoshoot, new home decor. Anything that I needed to plan in a creative way. And, I wanted to get a rescue dog so badly (and we just did get one, three weeks ago).”

#7 What’s the item you could NEVER find in the supermarket (and consequently dreamt continuously about) during lockdown…

“Crispy fried Tempeh. Only can be found in Paris chinatown or Bali. Craving for it!”

#8 What’s the strangest thing that’s happened during your lockdown period…

“I came face to face with a boar in an abandoned house in Provence. I had to hold my son quickly and wait for him to run away! It was epic but intense!”

#9 Favourite app for keeping in touch digitally with friends and family?

“Houseparty!!!”

#10 Name your lockdown hate:

“I don’t hate it’s not my philosophy! But, I was annoyed by over-reacting people being over dramatic or too stressed by listening and believing every polemic. Nothing from the outside should disturb your inner peace especially with the ‘mediasteria’.”

#11 Name your lockdown love:

“My family and pets. It was amazing to enjoy each of them for a while!”

#12 The person(s) you will hug first when social distancing is no longer in place?

“My team of collegues at the studio!!! Felt so good!”

#13 An act of kindness towards you that you’ve really appreciated during lockdown?

“Flowers delivered by my muse model with a note, Halcyon, and a video made by my team for our postponed wedding. It brought so many tears to my eyes!”

#14 Talk to us about what’s new at your brand?

“It’s going to be our 10th anniversary as a brand in 2021 so many new things coming up! Two special capsules and a big bridal collection that sum-up perfectly our bests and highs!”

#15 Name three things the lockdown has made you grateful for:

No.1 “Our family bond.”

No.2 “Our health and endless energy to fight even when the elements are fighting back.”

No.3 “True friends who welcomed us in their mansion in Provence so this lockdown turned into a sweeter experience :).”

#16 Which restaurant will you dine at first once restrictions are lifted?

“Bambou in Paris.”

#17 What series have you now completed on Netflix? Any recommendations?

“Michael Jordan documentary (so powerful for leadership inspo), Formula 1 series (simply amazing – about team management and soooo inspiring) and
Housewives of Beverly Hills (my kind of escape!).”