It’s no secret that “vintage afternoon tea” themed parties are all the rage. And jumping on the trend, MERI MERI, one of the leading luxury children’s party décor brands, thought it would be a good idea to launch a new collection with the iconic French pâtisserie Ladurée. And the result of this partnership was far better than anyone could have imagined.
By Heloísa Lima
To give you a better idea of what we’re talking about, Meri Meri creates and designs everything you need to throw a fun party to celebrate any occasion. All the brand’s products are inspired by childhood imagination but with a sophisticated design flair that you will hardly find anywhere else.
To dive headfirst into the theme, the brand reached out to Ladurée, known as the ambassador of the Parisian macaron; the pâtisserie also bears the distinction of inventing the French tea salon and is heir to a culture that embraces the art of living beautifully in all things.
The result of this collaboration was the Majestic Party Collection, which brings lots of joy, sparkle, celebration, fun, and confetti! To get more insight into the launch happening on May 21, Lifestyle Mag spoke with Elisabeth Holder, President of Ladurée in the United States, and Meredithe Stuart-Smith, founder of Meri Meri, to get the news firsthand.
Lifestyle Mag: How did the partnership begin?
Elisabeth Holder: I’ve always loved Meri Meri and the brand’s emphasis on creating the most beautiful children’s parties. I was very happy when they reached out to me about the collaboration.
Meredithe Stuart-Smith: At Meri Meri, we have always admired Ladurée’s aesthetic—a classic French sensibility with a feminine and whimsical spirit.
LM: How did the idea of the “tea party” theme come about?
MSS: Tea parties and afternoon tea are trending. A tea party is a versatile theme that provides a beautiful backdrop for a variety of events—from a baby shower to a 5th birthday, a Sweet 16, a bridal shower, or a Mother’s Day brunch. COVID also inspired more intimate gatherings. Last year, Meri Meri saw a 50% increase in online searches for “tea party.” Additionally, Ladurée’s macarons and cakes pair perfectly with the new Meri Meri line to create the perfect tea party at home.
EH: Our Ladurée team collaborated with Meri Meri to create a theme that embodies the sophisticated, classic style of both brands. We combined the elegant design inspired by Ladurée’s tea salons and Meri Meri’s products with childhood imagination to create this timeless, tea party–inspired collection.
LM: What is the main focus of this partnership?
EH: Our goal is to celebrate children in the most fun and chic way possible.
MSS: To bring the Ladurée brand into the home entertainment market and provide greater access to childhood celebrations.
