AT HOME with Diane-Sophie Durigon
Can you tell me a little about you and what you do?
Bonjour! My name is Diane-Sophie Durigon, I’m French, I grew up in the beautiful countryside of Toulouse in the Southwest of France and moved to Germany at the age of 20 to study abroad. I was supposed to stay just for 2 semesters but here I am, 20 years later, still living in Cologne, and now being the happy owner of the feminist concept store Le Pop Lingerie since 2012. I love the idea of having my own physical space, a sort of playground that showcases the many facets of self-love and empowerment, and dares to inspire more fun and pleasure. Le Pop Lingerie is my pop culture cosmos of sensuality and the things I like. It’s a colorful mix of beautiful lingerie & swimwear in inclusive sizes (we will give you the best bra-fitting experience of your life!), sex toys, sexual wellness & period products, music, socks, lube, candles, books - all in all pretty things that will give pleasure to all your senses. We also host music shows from my favorite artists, readings, art exhibitions, toy nights for FLINTA and sex-ed workshops!
When do you feel the most inspired / creative?
I feel the most creative when I’m rested. That’s why I try to prioritize taking breaks, traveling, going to museums and art shows or hanging out with friends!
When you’re in a creative rut, how do you tap back in?
I take a nap, haha! No, but seriously I’d take a break and try to look at the project from farther away and either run away or go for it from another perspective.
How long have you been living in your current space?
I’ve been living in our current apartment for 12 years now. It’s taken a long time to get it to the way it’s decorated now. It’s started off with cool random trash found on the street and in second hand shops and now it’s an always evolving colorful collage of Craigslist gems, flea market finds and friend’s artwork. I would say 98% is vintage and second hand, carefully curated and I love it so much, it’s super cozy.
What’s your favorite part of your apartment?
I actually like all the corners of each rooms! We designed it to be able to lounge everywhere and so we do! I love the kitchen with the round dining table, the 70’s Panton chairs and the couch. I love the area with plants in the French bidet in the living room and the 70’s wall carpet in the bedroom. But the reason why I chose this apartment in the first place was definitely because of the ridiculously huge bathroom and its green 70’s tiles. Such a nice space to hang out in in a chaiselongue while somebody else is taking a bath!
Describe your dream dinner party: what would be on the table and who would be sitting there?
I actually love picnics with friends. Everybody brings something to eat and drink and we can be silly and goof around. I like that!
Is there a food memory from childhood you can be transported to? Bring me there!
Watching my Italian grandmother make homemade gnocchi was quite phenomenal! Also every time I eat a Panettone I’m transported back to her kitchen with the smell of the chimney. Apart from that I’d say I’ve definitely taken my local French food with me to Germany. Duck breast, foie gras or potatoes cooked in duck fat are all dishes from the region I’m from and I wouldn’t want to miss out on.
Take me through a typical day in your life:
I don’t like to rush, so I’ll wake up when I wake up, have a cup of coffee in bed and start the day slow. Then I’ll go to the gym, it’s a gorgeous bathhouse on the way to my store with saunas, a pool, classes, hammam, and is all naked and all genders. It’s very nice and a great way to start the day! Then at noon I go to my shop and work.
If I don’t work and the weather is nice, I like to go on a bike ride outside the city!
At night I like to go to concerts or to eat out but I also love to just go home and have a cozy diner and drink delicious natural wine with my partner. Andrew is the most amazing cook, I feel very lucky!
Favorite products:
I love being surrounded by beautiful things and amazing color. Colors make me happy! Right now, I’m obsessed with the handmade ceramics I brought back from Morocco. It sounds silly but every morning when I drink my coffee in bed in a beautiful ceramic cup watching the colorful artwork on the wall, I’m happy! And at the store I’m also surrounded by the most beautiful colors and material, lingerie, toys, definitely my happy place!
Artwork by my friend that hangs on the wall since last December
Ovulation Concealer
UTOPIE 2022
mix on canvas
Obsessed with Panton chairs
Any sex toys from Dame
Dame
Something you’d like to learn:
Yes, drumming! I’ve started sporadically during one of the many lockdowns 2 years ago with the best teacher ever: my partner, who happens to be a professional musician. And this year is definitely the year I wanna get better and practice regularly (like more than 4 times a year!)
What’s your sign?
Virgo. I know nothing about astrology but I love when people tell me stories about it.
Advice for living a creative life:
Oh, I don’t give advice, that’s too tricky! My dad would always say “follow your heart” which kinda sucks to hear as a kid when you want a direction but now I realize that’s not too bad actually. But also quite a lazy answer to not get too involved, haha!
Favorite films:
I love all the Pedro Almodovar movies, always such beautiful photography and colors, amazing stories and strong characters!
Favorite books
Everything by Virginie Despentes, Sophie Fontanelle, Lauren Bastide & Leila Slimani
Where can people find you?
The online shop and Instagram!
