About

The story of Louise Carmen

The power to change your world

"We just wanted to take the time to meet people and travel the world at our own pace"

Manifest

Our notebooks change your life

We speak to those who follow their intuition who do not compromise with their dreams or with their freedom of thought.

To those who do not hesitate to step out of their comfort zone, to bring their dreams to life, to those who express their uniqueness.

Our mission is to make beautiful, easy-to-use inspirational notebooks that express who you are.

Nathalie Valmary

A Sustainable Philosophy

#ethics

From the very first steps of Louise Carmen in 2016, we have done everything possible to make the leather notebooks in France.
But, those who try it know, the made in France, is not done by snapping your fingers.
Over the past few decades, leather goods workshops have disappeared from French territory.
Some died out, finding no successor. Many have ceased their activity, unable to resist fierce European and International price competition.
We ended up finding a young 30-something who wanted to create jobs in his home region.
Since June 2017, we have been working with this workshop located between Châteauroux and Chambord.
We like to participate in maintaining know-how in France, Europe and the rest of the world.

Know how

  • The leather goods and fabric travel pouches in which your notebooks are delivered are made in France between Châteauroux and Chambord.
  • The vegetable tanned leathers are made in an artisanal way in France in the Basque country in a small family tannery and in Italy, in Tuscany.
  • The metallic leathers are made in certified Italian tanneries and comply with European and American environmental and health standards.
  • The elastic straps are made in Japan.
  • Small metalwork comes from France and Italy.
  • Louise Carmen paper notebooks are printed in an ethical family business. We participate in the reintegration of 180 disabled people near Shanghai.

Family business

Fabien Valmary - founder

Eight times marathon runner, for the pleasure of the challenge, but also the pleasure of going to nice places, he likes action and getting in touch with others. A fan of meditation, yoga, jogging and short naps, he is reluctant to get discouraged and live his life from his couch. Cooking relaxes him, but what he loves above all is seeing his two daughters put their energy into achieving their dreams. In 2013, he did not hesitate to bring his little family to the other side of the world to get out of the frame, to discover "other normalities" but also to have the rare privilege of spending 365 magnificent days with his family.

Nathalie Valmary - founder

Curious about the world around her, she loves travel, inspiring encounters and the audacity of those who step out of their comfort zone. Nathalie puts all her energy and creativity into bringing her dreams to life and putting them into action. She worked at Cacharel, wrote 12 lifestyle books published by Editions de la Martinière-le Seuil. Sensitive to fashion, photography and know-how that have a soul, she has an eye for detail and a product that makes sense, is well made and well finished. She created the Louise Carmen brand in December 2016, following a year-long trip with her family to Asia.

Victoire Valmary - communication and social networks

She likes to create, discover the world, meet new people, cook elsewhere if you have the chance to taste her cookie recipe you will see, she is incredibly addictive. Her passions are photography, making videos and hunting for vintage items wherever she goes. She loves fashion, reading and cinema. She is in charge of social networks and participates in the development of Louise Carmen.

The National Leather Council - investor

has been supporting the growth of the brand since 2019. The CNC is the institutional organization representing the leather trades in France.