Coqlico is more than just a brand—it is a celebration of Lebanese heritage, resilience, and craftsmanship. Rooted in the symbolism of the Coquelicot (poppy flower), Coqlico brings together nostalgia, artistry, and culture to create timeless pieces that tell a story. From the beloved Finjan Chaffé to innovative design concepts, Coqlico blends tradition with modernity, preserving the essence of Lebanon while adapting to a global market. With a commitment to quality, authenticity, and community, the brand serves as a bridge between the past and the future, offering meaningful creations that connect people across generations and borders.
About the Brand & Concept
- Coqlico is an intriguing name. Can you tell us the story behind it and what it represents to you?
Our Brand’s name is originated from the French word “Coquelicot” which represents the poppy flower. This flower always pops in our middle eastern spring to invade all the side roads, gardens, wild prairies and forests with its vibrant red color. Associated with themes of remembrance and resilience, this poppy flower reminds us that this season’s storm is over and the warmth of summer is ahead. In some ways this flower give us hope to stand strong in a country with no apparent serenity and peace. Only to simplify it by adding a pure Lebanese touch and removing three letters from the original French spelling and make sure people gets it right— Coq.Li.Co
- What inspired you to create Coqlico, and how would you describe its essence in a few words?
Coqlico is inspired by the resilience of our people and our strong capacity to cheat death. Coqlico came from the natural adversities of the Lebanese people, residents and diaspora around the world. All 18 official religious practices amongst this community, still dream of a prosperous Lebanon despite all the economical, demographical, and cultural challenges. Coqlico came as a result of my main skills that I had developed over the years, and our collective core culture and openness to the development of a healthy community. The essence of Coqlico is art, communication and people.
- Coqlico emphasizes craftsmanship and nostalgia. How do you incorporate these elements into your creations?
Imported to the Middle East through traders including many other Chinaware, the Finjan Chaffé was massively produced in China, with no significant change to the Ottoman design since the 15TH century. Our creations are heartfelt pieces. Designed to trigger our instinctive emotional attachment to our roots, and to recreate a token of love and compassion by the hands of the people. Our creations aim to keep the energy of development and growth of art and culture alive, regrouping communities around the joy of storytelling and creating worthwhile moments.
- Your pieces seem to tell a story. What is the creative process behind each collection?
Coqlipot has become a vessel of creativity and sophistication, our collections are designed to create a bold impact, showcasing versatility in the approach to luxury. Each design rhythms with the upcoming collective season with a new perspective to colors and finishing effects, highlighting the finesse of the “Lebanon image” we are trying to convey to ourselves and the world.
- Do you collaborate with local artisans? How do you ensure the authenticity and quality of each piece?
In it’s original model, Coqlico aims to subcontract, collaborate, and partner with any eligible master of crafts or profession and explore together the power of collective work towards the success of a mission. Crafting with cement has been the most challenging part. Cement have long been used to make buildings, blocks, roads,… When it comes to creating refined and detailed shapes, the techniques used normally with cement don’t really apply in a high repetitive model. Due to the delicacy of the material and the process by which it goes to becoming a sculpture or in our case a Coqlipot, finding the perfect person to this job hasn’t been easy. To ensure the authenticity and quality of each piece, we have developed an in-house molds making operation, to create high quality detailed rubber molds and guarantee more or less a perfect consistency within each piece—shape, size, weight and density.
- What makes your brand stand out in the design and decor market?
Starting with the choice of the shape, the geometry of the Chaffé is already unique on a global scale. There’s no similar shape as the Chaffé. We choose to highlight this unique geometric form and develop multiple purposeful pieces to adapt with the modernization of the Lebanese community and needs across the world. Our brand stands out by the consistent dedication to recreating the evolution of this token, and its service into our lives.
Coqlico & Lebanese Culture
- How does Coqlico reflect Lebanese heritage through its designs?
We are adopting the Lebanese Chaffé as our main project in the evolution of the brand for its direct association with coffee and in particular gatherings around coffee that we create as a community. In our Lebanese culture, coffee is the essential component of our welcoming nature and hospitality. We gather around for coffee, we discuss business and tell endless stories over a cup of coffee. In some villages people still invite stranger pedestrians over for coffee as a sign of generosity and kindness.
- Do you believe nostalgia and collective memory play a key role in your brand?
Coqlico has been designed to answer the needs of the Lebanese people, Lebanese diaspora and Arabs around the world. This niche have a strong attachment to their roots, culture and heritage due to their long history in humanity and attachment to the family and the community. By trusting and promoting the essence of the things that binds us together, Yes I believe that nostalgia and collective memory play a huge role in the development of Coqlico.
- Your creations evoke childhood memories for many. Was that an intentional direction from the start?
It became intentional once I personally became aware of this collective memory. Nevertheless, as much as Coqlico have been trying to recreate these memories, I personally was getting ready for this beautiful trip, long before I can remember. Like everyone else in this community, these coffee gatherings have started from a very early age, most likely since I was still in my mother’s womb.
Expansion & Future Vision
- What impact do you hope to create through Coqlico?
To create a sustainable and progressive business model suitable for Lebanon on a very long term, combining exquisite craftsmanship with a global market reach. To introduce ourselves and values in a physical form to the rest of the world and other communities.
- Do you have plans to expand internationally, particularly to reach the Lebanese diaspora?
Producing in Lebanon, fully integrated shipping all around the world with DHL Express and digital payment services,… Coqlico have started as a global e-commerce platform, targeting the Lebanese diaspora and promoting awareness to supporting local businesses and communities.
- How do you envision Coqlico evolving in the coming years?
Coqlico have recently launched a new entity “Le Salon Du Finjan” a collective work of artists to create on our Coqlipots. Le Salon Du Finjan is to present Lebanese talented artists with their work on unique pieces, part of a Finjan Collectibles project.
Commitment & Message
- Is there a specific philosophy or message you want to convey through Coqlico?
Since I was in school I remember older people saying things like “When I finish school I will travel abroad, because in Lebanon there are no opportunities, bro.” and it always hit me for I have always had this entrepreneurial mindset by which, in my brain, it works more like “Create your Own Opportunities, bro.” More than a philosophy to convey through Coqlico, is to prove the capacity to create anything and still work great. Inspired from Le Petit Prince “Fais de ta vie un rêve, et d’un rêve une réalité.” And Said Akl “From this small country, we travel the world, we challenge people and countries, and build wherever we wish a Lebanon.”
- Lebanon is going through challenging times. How does your brand contribute to preserving and promoting local craftsmanship despite these difficulties?
At Coqlico we are cultivating the strength of never stopping to learn, think, and grow. Despite all the difficulties, we are still managing to stay focused on our goals and aspirations, which in return open doors to new projects and new possibilities for us and the craftspeople.
- If you had to describe Coqlico in one inspiring sentence, what would it be?
Lebanese Love.