About you
Where are you originally from?
I am French. My accent gives it all away I’m afraid… I can’t lie about it! I grew up in Versailles, close to Paris. I am definitely a City girl.

How long have you lived in Dubai?
I moved to Dubai in October 2007. I got married and gave birth to our two little girls since I am here, so Dubai is our family nest… and now home, I guess!

Please tell us about Caramel & Sun and what inspired you to start your business adventure?
Caramel & Sun is both a brand of decoration accessories for Children, and a cute little store in Mercato Mall. We sell what I see as a unique selection of niche European brands specialized in design furniture for children, and a selection of items by talented local designers. I keep searching for objects and pieces of furniture with a twist. I like neo vintage pieces that appeal both to children and their parents. I handpick everything, I have to say I love it.

I used to be a marketing manager for a luxury group and I’m a mum of two little girls. I was lucky to be brought up in a creative environment that developed my passion for design. In 2013, when Stella was born, I realized that I would be unable to recreate for her the same kind of inspiring universe that my mum had created for me as a child that would allow her to develop her personality and creativity. For me, there was a definite lack of trendy, contemporary, creative children’s furniture in Dubai. It is at this point that the idea behind Caramel & Sun started to develop.

Becoming a mum is definitely a life changing experience that can lead to reconsider priorities and reorganize one’s life, and Dubai is an energetic city that allows entrepreneurial dreams! I can’t speak for all mums but that is definitely what happened to me.

A year ago I decided to take the plunge and teamed up with Paul – a longtime friend and daring entrepreneur – and gathered a couple of partners to create Caramel & Sun, – and here we are!

What I really like in our venture is its friendship dimension. It’s a great friend’s project that materializes in Caramel & Sun!


About living in Dubai
Favorite thing to do in Dubai with children?
Stella and Romy are only one year and 2 years ½ old, they are still babies, but I love enjoying what Dubai has to offer and that we don’t have back home: going to the beach most of the time, the kite surfing beach of course and if the weather doesn’t allow it, having a stroll and a nice afternoon snack at Mercato mall. I actually do love community malls.

What's your favorite way to spend the weekend?
My ideal weekend would start with a nice breakfast with my husband and the girls, a family dip in the pool at the Lakes Club and a stroll at The Beach JBR; my husband being half Greek, we love to stop at Eat Greek for a frappe - or a day at Kite surf beach with a cheeky burger at Salt for lunch!

It would also involve friends. I’m very much of a tribe type of person. Friends have become family here and we usually spend part of the weekend as a big family group with our friends and their children. It is also very enjoyable for the girls who learn to share and get more independent whilst playing in a group with their little friends.

A little extra…
Things you can't live without?
Besides my family… Friendship, Sunshine, Pinterest and a good café latte! Oh and my yoga class (which I keep missing!) It is one hour dedicated to relaxing and forgetting about everything. I had to miss the class a couple of times with the launch of Caramel and Sun that kept me pretty busy over the past weeks, but it was a heartbreaker, I love it! And even more the cheese plate after it Reform Grill has on its menu that I am sharing with my friends

Any motherhood tips, advices or words of wisdom on how to juggle it all?
I wouldn’t dare trying to give an advice to anyone. It is all about finding a personal balance, isn’t it? As I believe we all do, I am doing my utmost to give the best of myself to my family and to Caramel and Sun, although obviously, my family remain my first priority. Being a mum and an entrepreneur is fun and very rewarding… most of the time. Sometimes I find it easier to juggle now than when I was working in a Corporate environment as I have more flexibility; some others I find it trickier as I am more passionate and personally involved. At the end of the day, I have a great support from my family and friends, I know I am extremely lucky to love what I do, to do what I love and to have found a balance that makes me and my family happy. I can’t thank my husband and my partners enough.

Do you have a wellness or beauty must?
I guess in Dubai it’s very much about drinking a lot of water and protect your skin from the UV. I am using a tinted cream from the previous company I used to work for…shhhhhhh!!!!

Oh and also, changing perfumes based on the way I am dressed…it’s a real accessory and you feel so much better with!
I also love alternative medicine and I feel tired I never hesitate for acupuncture or a nice acupressure massage!

Do you have a life motto?
Someone I own a lot told me once, make your life a dream and this dream a reality…this is what I am trying 

Some must have and favourites from Olivia, great home decor and gift ideas. We LOVE!