Meet Sofia Elidrissi of LA-LA-Candles in Venice

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sofia Elidrissi.

Sofia, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Having grown up on a ranch 11km outside of Marrakech, my love for mood lighting, lanterns, and enchanted Arabian nights started early and shaped my childhood. Watching my father, Rachid El-Idrissi builds and runs a fully functioning dairy farm instituted my need to create and work with my hands. I would say luck or destiny led me to a charming candle shop in Culver City California where I learned how to make my first candle 15 years ago. Eventually starting my own company which has been an organically growing business creating unique candles to enrich the ambiance of homes and luxury hospitality environments for over the past decade, in Morocco, Paris, New York and Los Angeles.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Developing any passion into a thriving business is rarely a smooth road. Finding the courage to expose my art and merely launching a website felt like giving birth. (No kids yet, still looking for a suiter 😉 My candle babies are made with so much of my love and attention to detail that sharing it with the world felt unbelievably personal and almost invasive.

Fortunately, I have been able to work with some incredible clients who have become friends and even turned family. Having installations at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills CA, and the opportunity to teach interactive candle making classes to groups such as Google and Snapchat has allowed me to slowly grow and expose my candle business.

Please tell us about LA-LA-Candles.
My hand-crafted candles are made with a new sustainable coconut wax, derived from food-grade-certified coconut oil. This eco-friendly wax combined with essential oil blends and all-natural cotton wicks provides a clean-burning candle that I am very proud of.

My most unique product would have to be my Crystal Bowl Candles. Taking up to three days to create, crystal bowl candles are entirely made out of wax. The bowls marbled and feathered finish, naturally occurs with crystal palm wax, revealing an elegant stone-like illusion. Crystal palm wax cannot be controlled, making it impossible to create two identical bowls, each candle is truly unique with its wild yet intricate designs. After filling the crystal bowl with my coconut wax and fragrance of choice, I either hand paint custom designs on the top or place-specific crystal stones depending on the customer’s request. All of my candles are made to order and can be customized.

Most of my work is done in solitude and complete privacy, which is why I find great joy in hosting candle making classes and interacting with different types of people while sharing the art of candle making. Most of my customers work in front of a computer, having these people continue to create with their hands with the ability to take their product home is extremely rewarding for me, and them. Reservations and details about custom candle making classes can be discovered on my website www.la-la-candles.com.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I have been blessed with an array of unforgettable mentors in my life, and I believe it appropriate to start by thanking the man who taught me how to make my very first candle, Michael Wainer (aka: Big M, partner in crime, rough rider, neighbor and best friend)

I wouldn’t be the woman I am today if it weren’t for my father, Rachid El-Idrissi. He was the glue that held my family together, and an artist who’s talent seeped through my veins. Every move that I make is thanks to his artist and entrepreneurial soul. By his side and an immense influence on my being is my grand-mother Valerie Eastman, my angel to say the least. The support of my friends and family has most definitely helped smooth moments of transition and doubt.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.la-la-candles.com/
• Phone: 310.997.8028
• Email: Sofia@LA-LA-Candles.com
• Instagram: @sofia.elidrissi
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LA-LA-Candles-1793608034030799/

Image Credit:
Martin Ehleben

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