AN ENCHANTED CELEBRATION: 10 YEARS OF FRENCH CRAFTSMANSHIP WITH PAMPLEMOUSSE PELUCHES AT L'ÎLE AUX FÉES

There are moments in a boutique's history that shimmer with particular magic. As the last golden leaves dance outside the windows of our Parisian children's boutique L'Île aux Fées and Christmas draws near, we are celebrating a milestone which fills our hearts with joy: the tenth anniversary of Pamplemousse Peluches, the exceptional French house that has been enchanting young and old alike with its handmade French soft toys alongside our smocked dresses.

To honor this anniversary, artist Claire le Meil has imagined an entire fairy-tale setting. At its center sits Colette, the precious iconic Pamplemousse bunny dressed in our Princess Charlotte dress, presiding over an enchanted tea party where dreams come to life.

Pamplemousse Peluches: A French Love Story

Born from a family passion for timeless childhood memories and a desire to restore the golden age of ancestral toy craftsmanship, Pamplemousse Peluches embodies everything we cherish about French artisanal tradition. Each plush toy that emerges from the fairy fingers of the embroiderers in their atelier nestled in the heart of Picardy is much more than an imaginary animal: it's a companion for life's adventures, a keeper of secrets, a friend who never ages.

What distinguishes Pamplemousse is their unwavering commitment to quality and authenticity. Each animal is designed with exquisite attention to detail, from the choice of the finest materials, particularly Liberty of London prints, to the delicate embroidery of each face. These are not mass-produced toys, but rather handcrafted treasures, made with love, care, and a true artist's eye. The brand's philosophy is simple yet profound: to create companions that will be cherished across generations, pieces that tell stories and inspire imagination.

Their collection ranges from classic rabbits and bears to whimsical foxes and mice, extending to penguins, fawns, frogs, and pigs, each with its own unique personality and charm.

This ineffable combination of skill, tradition, and constantly renewed creativity has built their reputation. So much so that they were invited by the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris to participate in the teddy bear exhibition: what wonderful recognition.

A Bond Woven with Joy

Our relationship with Pamplemousse Peluches began in 2009, when we first welcomed their enchanting creatures into our Parisian boutique L'Île aux Fées. It was love at first sight: their aesthetic vision aligned perfectly with our own philosophy of offering exceptional pieces. Craftsmanship, handmade work, and the desire to celebrate the magic of childhood immediately united us.

Over the years, this partnership has blossomed into something deeper than a simple business relationship. We've watched children grow up with their Pamplemousse companions, seen grandmothers choose the perfect rabbit for a newborn grandchild, witnessed collectors adding to their precious menageries. These animals have been present at first birthdays, have traveled around the world, have been tucked into beds for thousands of goodnight kisses.

We share more than products with Pamplemousse: we share values. A belief in the importance of beauty and quality in childhood. A commitment to sustainable and thoughtful creation rather than fast fashion. A deep respect for the artisan's hand and the time it takes to create something truly special.

The Enchanted Window: A Magical Tea Party

Step closer to our windows and enter a world where time stands still and magic is real. Artist Claire le Meil has created a scene that seems lifted from a storybook: an enchanted tea party where Pamplemousse's most beloved characters gather to celebrate.

The display is framed by whimsical illustrations of a Parisian tea salon, complete with crystal chandeliers, delicate porcelain, and a "teddy" Christmas tree. Against a backdrop of snowy skies, two magnificent dresses take center stage: our iconic Princess Charlotte dress in lavender blue with coral smocking on the left, and a resplendent red and gold embroidered dress, both displayed as if waiting for their wearers.

Below, the tea party is in full swing. Pamplemousse's adorable mice, rabbits, and foxes dressed in their finest attire are seated around illustrated tables laden with pastries, teacups, and treats. Two harpists accompany the celebration. Each character seems caught mid-conversation, mid-laughter, as if we've stumbled upon a secret gathering. The scene radiates warmth, joy, and that ineffable French elegance: the ability to make even a simple tea party an occasion worthy of celebration.

Colette: A Collector's Dream

At the heart of our anniversary celebration is Colette. For the very first time, we have created a perfect duo.

Pamplemousse Peluches has reimagined their delightful Parisian bunny doll with an elegant tuft in a larger version dressed in an outfit matching our Princess Charlotte dress. This iconic design echoes Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, who wore this design during her official tour of Canada in 2016. What could be more royal to celebrate a decade of creation?

Our children's dress itself is a masterpiece of delicate craftsmanship. In the softest lavender blue, it features a hand-embroidered smocked panel adorned with tiny details in coral thread. The Peter Pan collar perfectly frames little ones' sweet faces, while the puffed sleeves and gathered skirt create that timeless silhouette that has defined elegant children's fashion for generations.

For Pamplemousse collectors, for Charlotte Sy Dimby devotees, for all those who understand that certain objects transcend their function to become art, Colette dressed in Princess Charlotte represents something rare and precious. She is the embodiment of a decade of dreams, a symbol of the magic that happens when two brands committed to excellence come together.

Designed as a limited edition, she is currently available in our Parisian boutique at the price of €210. Please send us an email at info@lileauxfees.com to reserve yours or shop online here.

Interview with Claire le Meil, Window Artist

Claire Le Meil is an illustrator and creator of event materials, packaging, window displays, and visuals. Whether for prestigious luxury houses such as Hermès, Dior, Mellerio, Pierre Hermé, publishing houses such as Bayard, or the grandiose Château de Versailles, her artistic signature blending delicacy, poetry, and humor delights everyone.

Born hearing impaired, she developed a different sensitivity through shapes and colors. Illustration thus became her means of expression.

Your window display for Pamplemousse's 10th anniversary is absolutely enchanting. Can you tell us about your creative vision for this project?

Claire: My intention was to create a magical moment suspended in time where harmony, fantasy, and lightness reign. I wanted to capture not only the curiosity of passersby (young and old) but also invite them into a gentle reverie through contemplation and imagination.

The illustrations blend so beautifully with the actual Pamplemousse animals and the dresses. How did you approach creating this dialogue between the real and the illustrated?

Claire: I've been accompanying Pamplemousse Peluches' universe for several years. I've had the opportunity to draw active bunnies who sew tirelessly as Christmas approaches to finish children's gifts. I drew on this project to imagine a new setting. I chose a relatively limited color palette to highlight without overshadowing either the soft toys or the dresses displayed in the window. The goal was to give them a magnificent showcase, to highlight them so they would be the main characters in the story.

There's a distinctly French atmosphere in the scene. Was French heritage and aesthetics important to your concept?

Claire: Born and living in France, I take particular pleasure in expressing the French art of living, both in its luxury image and in the popular traditions that permeate our country. My tea salon expresses refinement and elegance. It echoes the Parisian hotels of Place Vendôme, the splendor of Versailles, while expressing a desire to have fun and spend a pleasant moment in good company. The atmosphere of the grand palaces from the beginning of the last century with their etiquette and slightly outdated splendor made me want to bring in all these little beings, a touch irreverent but who happily occupy this dream-inducing setting.

Have you worked with soft toys and children's fashion in window displays before? What makes this collaboration special?

I've had the opportunity to participate in window design for major brands where I incorporated a note of fantasy and irony, but this is the first time I've been given carte blanche for a project fully immersed in the children's world. I take great pleasure in seeing this finished window and I hope it will make children's eyes sparkle and their parents smile. I must confess it made me relive fairy tales...

Interview with Caroline and Miss Bonnie: The Very First Princess to Receive Her Colette

We have woven a very special bond with Miss Bonnie even before she was born. It was during her pregnancy that Caroline discovered our dresses for the first time. We then had the privilege of meeting mom, grandmother, and Princess Bonnie at the boutique in Paris during their vacation in France! What a privilege to grow such a beautiful friendship between France and the United States.

Can you tell us about the moment your daughter discovered Pamplemousse Peluches for the first time?

On her very first trip to Paris, Bonnie was lucky enough to visit the L'Île aux Fées boutique to choose her own dresses and soft toys. After carefully examining all the options, she chose Colette in pink Liberty fabric to accompany her. As soon as we returned to the hotel, I packed her in my suitcase, afraid of losing her during our Parisian adventures. But when we got home, as soon as I opened my suitcase and she saw her, she exclaimed "Colette!" (I couldn't believe she remembered her name—at 18 months, everything was still literally called "bear," "rabbit," "baby," etc.) and from that moment on, they became inseparable.

What was her reaction when Princess Colette and her Charlotte dress arrived?

When she woke up from her nap, she was able to put on her new dress. I told her this dress was magical and would help her discover a treasure. She twirled in front of the mirror, saying it would make the magic work. When she saw the box, she asked if it was the magic dress that had brought it. When she opened it and saw a Bonnie-sized Colette in her matching dress, she was amazed. She hugged her and immediately asked if she could stay with us. She began giving her a tour of her new home and introducing her to all her new friends.

As a mother, what moves you most about offering your daughter a French artisanal piece rather than a mass-market toy?

I've always loved and appreciated the uniqueness of handmade objects. My grandmother (after whom Bonnie is named) made beautiful embroidery and sewed superb quilts. Learning to sew with her was a special moment we shared. I was lucky enough to have beautiful handmade teddy bears and blankets made by my grandmother and great-grandmother, which I've passed on to Bonnie and which, I hope, will remain family treasures forever. I know they would be as enchanted as I am by these precious handmade bunnies. Being able to fill her world with beautiful things that stimulate her imagination and bring her so much joy, and that she can pass on to her own children, is a special gift as a mother.

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The enchanted window, with Colette at its heart, is more than an anniversary celebration: it's a love letter to French craftsmanship, to the importance of beauty in everyday life, to the belief that children (and the child in each of us) deserve objects created with soul and care.

Come visit us at L'Île aux Fées. Step inside. Meet Colette and her friends. And perhaps take home a piece of this magic: a Pamplemousse companion to begin your own story, or for collectors among you, this extraordinary limited edition celebrating a decade of French enchantment. Here's to ten more years of wonder, and to many more after that.

Practical Information

To discover the Pamplemousse Peluches window display: Visit the L'Île aux Fées boutique at 66 rue Notre Dame des Champs, 75006 Paris - Open Monday to Saturday from 10:30 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 7 PM

To buy Pamplemousse soft toys online: Visit their e-shop

To buy the Charlotte children's dress: Visit the Charlotte Sy Dimby e-shop

To buy the Colette doll: Visit the Charlotte Sy Dimby e-shop