Caroline & Norma
ph. Jonathan LLense
text by Clara Bouteille
Norma has become the star of Caroline's boutique. The black cat loves to take on his role in the atelier everyday. He welcomes, observes and talks constantly. Caroline and Norma are in a very exclusive relationship. Her cat is so loyal to her that, when she is not there, he never fails to express his displeasure...
Caroline and Norma at the atelier
“My name is Caroline, I'm 31 years old, I launched my clothing brand Bourgine seven years ago. Some would say the brand is nostalgic, as each collection has a historical theme.
I've always had cats, I could never interact with dogs. Cats are really my thing. When I was 22, I thought I was ready to take on the responsibility. So I drove over an hour from Paris to pick up Norma. And of course, it was love at first sight. So, for the last 8 years, Norma has been with me.
We live just above my brand's atelier, and a staircase leads us directly there. There are four of us girls plus the cat who works there. Norma has become the cat of the atelier, with his own job that he proudly takes on every day. The door of the boutique is open but Norma never comes out, he sits proudly at the entrance.”
Exclusive relationship
We have a very exclusive relationship.
Sometimes I go away for a month to visit my boyfriend in the US, and during this time, Norma ignores the girls at the atelier, and he almost becomes a little aggressive.
Otherwise, we are together 24 hours a day. I feel like I know him by heart. We are very close. He's a cat who talks a lot, I recognise his intonations as words, and I feel like I understand him. We have developed a fluid, loyal relationship based on total trust. I think I project my personality onto Norma, so I imagine him as a human with whom I would get on perfectly well. I regularly dream that I have to save him.
A role to play
The morning after our morning hug, around 11 am, he waits behind the door leading to the atelier's stairs. And when we go downstairs, the "cat musical" begins, and he meows at the arrivals of the girls. When someone comes into the atelier, Norma usually comes down to say hello. He meows, turns around a bit and then goes off to do his thing. Norma is a very hard worker. He has got a role and likes to play it. He is the brand's representative, and I am his human companion. When I'm not there, he gets upset. For example, I was away for three weeks, and Norma gained a lot of weight. So I had to put him on a diet...
