“To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die.” Thomas Campbell.
Lae & Jules is a story of honour. It is Lae’s tribute to her mother, Jules, who not only shared Lae’s love for bags but also fanned the flames of her daughter’s design journey since she was old enough to hold a pencil.
The story is set in the small town in Cameroon, where Julie (Jules) was a devoted choir member at the local Catholic church. Lady (Lae), at 5 years old, accompanied Jules to choir practice and would often run around, making noise. To keep Lae distracted, Jules who had already noticed Lae’s interest in drawing, gave her a notebook and pencil, which Lae brought along every time they went to church.
As Lae grew older, her passion for drawing grew into an interest in fashion, which was evident in her unique style. When she couldn’t find clothes she liked, she designed and created them herself. Despite the era’s lack of emphasis on passion, Jules supported Lae by enrolling her in art camps during holidays. Lae went as far as designing outfits for her mother, who would wear them with pride. Although their fashion sense differed, they both loved handbags.
On one occasion, Lae bought a handbag that didn’t meet her expectations. Jules told her, “It would be exactly what you want if you designed it yourself.”
Over time, Lae moved to Norway for school and work. To maintain their connection and sharing culture, Lae frequently sent Jules beautiful bags, which she enjoyed wearing.
In 2020, Jules fell ill and she struggled with her health for 2 years before eventually passing on. In her last days, Lae put together a care package which contained among other things, a hand-written letter in an envelope she had designed herself and a new leather bag. Unfortunately, Jules did not get to receive her gift.
Weeks after the funeral, Lae sat at her desk, looking at the envlope which contained the letter Jules never got to read. The envelope’s shape inspired a new bag design, which she named “Letter to Mama” and became the cornerstone of her first collection and the birth of Lae & Jules.
In loving memory of my dear mother Julie Mojoko Mbwaye Mofoke
Oct 1959 – Jul 2022
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