She answers questions from La Gazette du Var.

What did you create?

I created the brand 'La marin’Hyères©' on May 5, 2023, and after applying to the Parcours des Arts, I obtained a boutique-workshop, open since May 17.

With some great past collaborations?

Indeed, I had already created a first textile brand 'Tee-Smiles', the 100% smile T-shirts. Arriving in Hyères 4 years earlier, I was proud to collaborate with Télématin, Mercato, France Info Télé, CNews, 'Touche pas à mon Poste', and 'Plus Belle la Vie'. 'Tee-Smiles'. I wanted something new, to set myself a new entrepreneurial challenge, and thus turn a page on the past. A few days after this decision, a stroke of luck! I was invited to a cocktail party where I met a professional in the textile sector. This man's career path impressed me. It was a real trigger for me. The very next day, March 7, 2023, we met again for a business lunch to discuss 'Tee-Smiles'. During this meeting, I was wearing white trousers and a sailor-style striped sweater... as if by chance!

How was the logo born?

When I got home after that meeting, I was re-energized! Sitting on my bed, my sailor sweater on my knees, I was playing with the words 'marine - marinière'. All of a sudden, the idea came to me: 'La marin’Hyères©'. I turned on my computer and everything came to me, this idea of the bachi with the famous red pompom, the sea, I created the logo all at once. I then made several visuals by placing the logo in different places on photos of sailor shirts. Then, I sent my mockup to the person I had met the day before. I needed his professional opinion. His words were 'it's great! go for it! I even think you should stop 'Tee-Smiles' to focus solely on this beautiful project.' 2 months later, I registered the trademark with INPI.

Was a spark all it took?

This business lifted me up, it gives meaning to my life, because thanks to many collaborations, I have the chance to make very human connections, I receive a lot of love, it's wonderful, and then, it involves my beloved city, it makes me want to collaborate with local shopkeepers, associations, to unite the people of Hyères. I also work with two Var workshops and I also have my workshop in the boutique. I really want to move away from the 'classic boutique' concept. I want to give meaning to this brand, and since the city of Hyères grants me the right to use the city's name, I hope it will be the brand of the people of Hyères.

What are the collaborations?

The 'La marin’Hyères©' brand extends to several items: sailor shirts, mugs, candles, bags, caps and other surprises to come... I collaborated with two shops in Hyères, Cassiopée and Equateur, from August to December 2023. To date, I have collaborated with the resident DJ of Vertigo, Mike Traxx, Le petit glacier Hyérois, and l’Écailler de la Rade. I will start collaborations with T’Zébré, a concept store in Hyères, to create 100% women's After Work events. I will also run Art Therapy workshops with a women's rights association under the name 'La marin’Hyères©'. I collaborate with the Guinot institute in Hyères and La Farlède (the beauticians wear La marin'Hyères©), also with Fleurs de Léa on avenue Alphonse Denis, the designer Aura from Presqu’île de Giens, and Hôtel La Reine Jane in Hyères (the staff wear La marin'Hyères©). And so many other wonderful projects to come! •

The shop is located at 4 rue du Prieuré, in the historic center of Hyères, in the Parcours des Arts. Soon, you will be able to find 'La marin’Hyères©' items at the Hyères Tourist Office. 'La marin’Hyères©' is active on social networks: Instagram lamarinhyeres and Facebook la marin’Hyères. You can contact Caroline Goudron by email if you wish to contribute to the development of her business: lamarinhyeres@mailo.com