…in Siobhan Gately’s workshop in Trentemoult ❤️

Being an illustrator and graphic designer, there were many tries on different types of materials. Different brushstrokes, different manners of combining the name and the logo. And sometimes it worked, and sometimes it didn’t. That’s the process.

What is the meaning behind my logo?

Siobhan had known me for a long time. She knew how much I loved my work and how much energy went into making it creative and pertinent to my clients, collaborators or students. Energy, in this case was bright red and sometimes seeing red! I have always been a fighter, a fighter against injustices and a fighter against what life threw at me.

But, It was also about my bright red lipstick (yes), which has defined me since I was 18. What happened at 18… I had to become an adult. I was a very shy 18 year old. My mum used to wear red lipstick when she went out somewhere a bit glam (usually family parties – she did not have a mad social life), and I noticed that she changed a bit. More glam. More confident. I also loved wandering around Woolworths and looking at all the make-up sets. I started experimenting with eye shadow and lipstick. I loved the lipstick. It seemed to give me more confidence.

And let’s not forget those great pop icons I was growing up with who donned red lips… here’s one of them, and later, in the 1990s Madonna, of course. I was a great fan!

“The first and most famous manifestation of red lipstick was in fact in New York when the suffragettes took to the streets, banded together, and as part of their defiance and fight for the vote, they all wore bright red lipstick… ” 

“There could not be a more perfect symbol of suffragettes than red lipstick, because it’s not just powerful, it’s female,” said Rachel Felder, author of last year’s “Red Lipstick: An Ode to a Beauty Icon,” in a phone interview. “Suffragettes were about female strength, not just strength.”

What’s in a red? There are so many? Your colour says a lot about you.

“Coco Chanel, customarily favored matte cherry-red lipstick; with her dark hair and pale skin, it was a particularly flattering look.

In 1924, a few years after the launch of Chanel No. 5, Chanel introduced red lipstick in three different shades. The initial collection consisted of Clair (clear), Moyen (medium) and Foncé (dark). offering a capsule wardrobe of lip color to suit a variety of skin tones and occasions. This original line was immediately successful, and it expanded gradually. By 1936, four more takes on the color were added: Garnet, Ruby, Fuchsia, and Sunrise.

In American department stores, the price per tube was S1.50, the equivalent of about $27 today. Currently there’s a wide choice of reds in the line, including Gabrielle, a rich garnet, and Coco, which suggests the hue of Mademoiselle Chanel’s beloved Coromandel furniture..”

I have just listened to a great Podcast about the History of Red Lipstick from Betwixt the Sheets by Kate Lister, a Sex Historian interviewing Rachel Felder, author of Red Lipstick (A page about Coco Chanel is seen above). An Ode to a Beauty Icon. A fascinating listen on the history of lipstick, its origins, what it’s made of, who famously wore it and how did it change throughout social and cultural history). Of course, Kate Lister pushes us towards sexual references so you can find out how to wear red lipstick and give blow jobs… (I’ve warned you!)

Anyhow, getting back to my logo – it was also symbolic of angels wings – combining the energy and force with something softer. Angels wings can be associated with spirituality, freedom, and the connection between the earthly and heavenly realms – the more empathic side of my work. In discussion, Siobhan felt that these three things were interesting to move forward with.

And how about the name, Créativité? When I arrived in France, I had a different approach to many other educators and became known for my more creative approach. I was often employed on creative seminars using a variety of creative tools and exercises at the school where I taught. I specialised in Brand Strategy, there weren’t that many people operating in this domain in France 20 years ago, so I thought I would be explicit about what made the difference in my way of teaching and coaching. But, there were many other websites using the word ‘creativity’ so I thought I’d use the ‘French touch’ – Créativité.

So what defines you? If you need help with this, why don’t you buy our dedicated workbook on personal branding. Here’s some more information about it.

Here it is in all its glory.

And it’s accompanies by its strapline.

“BRAND DESIGN STRATEGY STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART.”