From France With Love
New OuiPlease subscription box enchants Francophiles with luxuries they'll adore
Jessica Barouche believes no Francophile should have to travel far to get the luxuries of the country they love. So the Dallasite-by-way-of-Paris delivers French lifestyle products to their doorsteps via a new parcel membership called OuiPlease.
Barouche received her MBA in international luxury management and earned her luxury retail stripes at Hermes in her hometown. After moving to Dallas three years ago, she decided to put her degree and experience to good use by launching a consulting company called BeFRNCH, which aids American women in all things French fashion, food and travel.
Always a fan of the subscription-box concept, Barouche now offers Americans the chance to experience her favorite French products — lifestyle, food and beauty — many of which are not available in the United States. OuiPlease boxes contain 11 full-sized products, which Barouche says adds value and enhances the experience. In other words: Get Birchbox off the brain, because these aren’t just samples.
Barouche and her business partner handpick the products, and the duo travels between Dallas and Paris to ensure they get the best products from their favorite French vendors. It’s like having a très chic personal shopper.
OuiPlease offers three membership levels: single parcel ($175), month-to-month ($150) or annual pre-paid ($650). The month-to-month membership bills your account when each of the six parcels is ready for delivery; with the annual membership, you can pay upfront and avoid the month-to-month charge. Packages are shipped every other month.
And if you love a product, there’s more where that came from, because each membership gives you access to the OuiBoutique. It launches upon delivery of your first parcel and includes all of the goodies featured inside and more. Those who choose the annual pre-paid option get special pricing in the OuiBoutique.
Each box explores a different region. Hints for an upcoming box include an XL clutch from 1951 Maison Française, notebook from Christian Lacroix and Sothys beauty products. All memberships also include the latest issue of Et Voila magazine, featuring simple French recipes, exclusive interviews, style tips, lifestyle pieces and more.
“We hope to create limited-edition boxes, boxes for special events, and maybe a concept store where you will find the products from the OuiPlease box and the OuiBoutique,” Barouche says. “Everything will always be luxury-oriented.”
The next box is being shipped out starting December 11. In February 2015, the box changes to a Valentine’s Day-inspired parcel.