We were lucky to catch up with Ichrak BAFFOUN recently and have shared our conversation below.
Ichrak, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I didn’t begin my career in the creative industry — I was actually working in finance. After moving to New York, I started organizing my children’s birthday parties. I found myself completely immersed in the process, enjoying every detail and moment of the planning. To my surprise, I kept receiving really positive feedback. Friends and guests would tell me how special and thoughtful everything felt, and that I had a real talent for it.
That’s when I realized how much joy it brought me, and that maybe this wasn’t just a personal passion, but something I could turn into a meaningful business. Looking back, it all made sense. I had grown up in Paris in a creative environment — my grandmother taught me how to sew and passed down a love for craft, my father loved hosting, and my mother paid attention to the smallest details when setting a table.
It all came together naturally. Leaving finance to launch Studio Mercerie wasn’t just a career pivot, it was me stepping into something that had always been there, just waiting for the right moment to come to life.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Studio Mercerie is a boutique event planning company based in New York City, specializing in elegant, meaningful celebrations. I focus primarily on children’s birthday parties, baby showers, intimate dinners and family gatherings, with a deep love for aesthetics, storytelling, and thoughtful details.
What sets Studio Mercerie apart is the care and intention behind every event. I collaborate with a trusted network of talented vendors, florists, balloon artists, entertainers, bakers chosen specifically to match the story we’re trying to tell. Every celebration is unique, and I spend a lot of time making sure each element reflects that uniqueness.
While I’m surrounded by incredible support on the day of the event, I handle most of the planning myself. It’s important to me that every detail, from the napkins to the backdrop, carries the essence of Studio Mercerie. I wouldn’t call myself a perfectionist for no reason, it’s because I truly care about creating experiences that feel special, intentional, and unforgettable.
There’s definitely a French touch to everything I do. Growing up in Paris gave me a deep appreciation for balance, beauty, and refined design, and that influence shows up in every project I take on. Whether it’s a whimsical birthday party or a poetic baby shower, my goal is always to create something elegant, warm, and full of soul.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to expand Studio Mercerie into more corporate work, especially product launches and brand activations that still feel intimate, thoughtful, and highly personalized. I love events where I can really be hands-on, shaping the experience from start to finish and infusing it with the Studio Mercerie touch.
Right now, we’re actively preparing for the Summer 2025 season, and I’m always open to connecting with new clients and collaborators who are looking for something a little different, something beautiful, considered, and full of heart.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, I think the most impactful qualities in my journey have been my hands-on mindset, my strong organizational skills, and my ability to visually translate ideas with clarity and intention.
When I first started Studio Mercerie, I wanted to understand every part of the process. I wasn’t just hiring vendors,I was baking cakes, building backdrops with a jigsaw, and even took a balloon artist training to better understand the technical side of their work. That allowed me to become highly intentional in how I select collaborators for each project. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. Each vendor I bring in is chosen because their style and strengths match exactly what the event needs.
Organization, though, is just as essential as creativity, especially on event day. A designer can have a stunning vision and come up with beautiful decor ideas, but if they don’t know who’s arriving when, or how to manage the timing and flow of the setup, everything can fall apart. People often forget how critical solid planning is. It’s what allows an event to come together smoothly, without unnecessary stress. I take that part of the job very seriously, and I think that’s one of the reasons clients trust me.
I’ve also put a lot of effort into developing strong visual communication tools. I create detailed mood boards for every event, not just for the client, but also for the entire vendor team. I’ll sketch cakes, draw layouts, and pull together inspiration so there’s no confusion. It helps everyone see the full picture, and it makes the process feel more collaborative and clear.
One more thing I’ve learned: confidence comes with time. With every event, every new client, and especially when clients come back again, you grow into your role. At the beginning, it’s easy to doubt yourself. But every successful event adds to your confidence and you start to trust your eye, your process, and your instincts more and more.
For anyone starting out, I’d say: don’t focus on doing something big. Focus on doing something beautiful and intentional. Start with what’s around you, your family, your friends and take the time to do it well. Build your own style. Don’t rush it. The most powerful thing is when someone sees your work and says, “I knew it was yours before I even saw your name.” That’s when you know you’re on the right path.
Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
My ideal client is someone who trusts me.
When you choose an event planner, it’s usually because something about their style speaks to you. You’ve seen their work, their aesthetic, and you feel aligned. I always say: there’s an event planner for everyone. Some people love bold, maximalist designs. Others gravitate toward detail, softness, and storytelling. The people who come to Studio Mercerie are drawn to that refined, intentional style, immersive scenography with a little French touch. They care deeply about how things look and feel, and they appreciate subtle beauty and well-thought-out details.
Trust is everything. My process is highly collaborative, but I also take care of every element so my clients don’t have to worry about anything. I present them with a clear mood board and direction, shaped around their vision and preferences. Once we align creatively, they know they’re in good hands. I want them to feel excited, not stressed.
Many of my clients are women with demanding careers and beautifully full lives. They have great taste, clear ideas, and a deep appreciation for quality but not necessarily the time to execute it all. That’s where I come in. They’re looking for someone who can take their vision and elevate it, while handling every last detail with care and precision.
These events are highly curated, deeply personal, and entirely custom. They require time, thought, and the involvement of talented, trusted vendors. It’s a level of service that’s tailored and elevated, designed for those who truly value excellence and are willing to invest in creating unforgettable memories.
It’s not about showing off. In fact, most of my clients are quite private. They’re not doing it for Instagram—they’re doing it for their family, for their close friends, for the joy of bringing people together. For me, that’s the most meaningful kind of celebration.
So my ideal client is someone who values beauty, detail, and intentionality. Someone who wants to create something truly special and trusts me to bring it to life!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.studiomercerie.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studiomercerie/
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