Charlie & Friends: Meet Marion aka Fringe and Frange

Marion Gruber, free motherhood

Creative and inspiring, Marion is more than just a breath of fresh air in our Instagram feed. The influencer and mother of three shares her vision of parenthood and her dreams of faraway places. Need a breath of fresh air? Then, read on!

Mother of three children in 5 years! Can you tell us how your experience of motherhood has evolved? Are you the same mum now as you were at the beginning?

Marion Gruber: I think it's in my nature to see the glass as half full. I make lists, plans, I anticipate and prepare a lot of things, but it's more to reassure myself. Yet when things happen (very often not at all as expected), I welcome them without overthinking it, appreciating all the little things in life. In my parenting, it's exactly the same. I'm not rigid about schedules or timetables, I try to do the best I can, to make life easier for us no matter what.

And ultimately, it suits us well: the children are super easygoing, we take them everywhere, they adapt to everything. Their bond is very strong, it's truly magical to witness. And we involve them in all our projects, we talk with them a lot, despite their young age, and I get the feeling they love it.

I think I'm the same mum I was five years ago, yes, maybe with a bit more tiredness (laughs). I still get teary-eyed when I see them accomplish something new, I still feel that overflowing happiness in my heart, I tell myself every day that it's incredible what Guillaume and I have managed to do. I'm just constantly overwhelmed and I go to bed every day very tired from my days, but hey, it's a small price to pay for all the happiness I have around me!

Was having three children a long-held dream or a desire that grew over time? The IVF journey is surely synonymous with a rollercoaster… and with miracles too!

Marion Gruber: I always dreamed of having three children. This idea of a large family with children who have brothers and sisters to play with constantly, to grow up and evolve with, always resonated with me. And then with my first pregnancy, I realized that having three might not be as simple as I thought, and how lucky I already was to have a baby in my arms. When you've gone through IVF like we did, I think you really have to appreciate just how much of a gift of life it is, a miracle and a blessing. But… the desire for more never left me. And 14 months later, I was pregnant with James. We could have said that was OK, that we were truly the happiest and luckiest people in the world, but I felt like one was missing. And then Luna arrived, and I never again had that feeling of "not enough". I immediately felt that we were complete. The missing piece of the puzzle. I still can't explain it!

You have three beautiful children, have written books, launched a hat line, an amazing house, you create inspiring content, and you have an incredible move planned. It all seems almost "easy". Do you have any advice for moments of doubt and keeping your spirits up?

Marion Gruber: Thank you so much! It's not that it's easy, but challenges don't scare me — on the contrary, they're so inspiring, a true driving force. I need to create things, to dream, for my own balance. It's a lot of work, but since I love what I do, I do it with so much pleasure that it's even more motivating. And as for life projects… It's now or never, and I hate having regrets. I do have moments of doubt, but I'm lucky to be surrounded by great people, so putting into words the things that worry me or seem unclear to those close to me — family or collaborators — immediately sets me free. I always tell myself not to lose sight of the goal, and that in the end, whether successful or not, the journey to get there will be so full of instructive and positive things that you just have to go for it. We rarely regret the things we've seen through to the end — rather the ones we didn't dare to do. So, there you have it, I always have projects in mind, so why not try to make them happen? I think being proud of the path you've taken and the work you've done is one of the best feelings.

So, where are things with your Los Angeles project?

Marion Gruber: It's clearly THE project underway: changing our lives, leaving everything behind to start over on the other side of the world. Exactly the kind of slightly crazy challenge that leads to constant soul-searching, the upheaval is so immense… but one where the result will be so worth it. For now, we're still working through our immigration paperwork and visa applications. We went there to find a house and visit the children's schools. It's becoming real!

What essentials will you be taking with you in your suitcases?

Marion Gruber: We'll try to travel light – but in reality we're too passionate about so many things to manage it! I need my sewing machine, my knitting supplies and my crochet hooks. Guillaume needs his guitars, I'll bring a good portion of my wardrobe, our sofas and a few pieces of furniture we love, and then our Charlie Crane high chairs, obviously!

15 years of love with your husband, 3 children, you work together with Guillaume… Help us! What are your secrets for a lasting relationship?

Marion Gruber: We talk all the time. All the time. We're lucky to be aligned on our projects and dreams. And we each have our own passions, our own moments. With the children, our balance is constantly evolving. It takes work to figure out how to adjust it to life in general, but we manage to step back and find each other again. A real team effort, and lots and lots of love!

While waiting for LA, we still love seeing the photos of your home in Hossegor. Why do you love Charlie Crane furniture?

Marion Gruber: Charlie Crane has been with us since Romy arrived 5 years ago. We watched her grow up in the LEVO rocker, discover food in her TIBU high chair, and then James arrived, he slept in the KUMI crib, and then Luna came to complete the picture, always comfortably settled in the same Charlie Crane furniture.

How does this furniture evolve with your children and within your home?

Marion Gruber: We've truly gone through every evolutionary phase of furniture.

After the KUMI crib, Luna now sleeps in the KIMI bed, and one day we'll open it up so she can get in and out as she pleases. We even extended the idea with the LEVO rocker, which now welcomes the children's dolls.

Do you have a design dream at the moment? A piece that makes you dream?

Marion Gruber: Yes! I dream of a Ray Wilkes Chiclet armchair for our next home…

What will we see on your Instagram account in a year's time? And actually, will we still need to follow you on Instagram or on another platform?

Marion Gruber: Hopefully photos with beautiful Californian palm trees in the background, and new projects to share! I love photography too much to leave Instagram, but I'm trying to make more videos so I've opened a YouTube channel and a TikTok account, so who knows, maybe I'll be everywhere at once?

Many thanks to Marion for her time. Follow her on her Instagram account @fringeandfrange!