Meet Meryem Lahlou | Furniture Designer, Architect, Filmmaker, Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Meryem Lahlou and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Meryem, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
I look at the joy in a child’s eyes when they encounter something truly imaginative, something that speaks to their innate sense of wonder and curiosity. I see the way their minds light up, the way they explore and interact with the world I’ve helped create.

I keep going because I’m not just building furniture, I’m building futures. I’m giving kids the tools to think differently, to question, to innovate. Neuroscience shows us the importance of environments in shaping young minds. If what I’m doing can light that spark, can cultivate creativity and critical thinking, then stopping is not an option.

Giving up is what a lot of other businesses want us to do—the ones who sell conformity, who push standardized, soulless products that stifle individuality. But every time I create something that defies that, I’m pushing back against a world that wants to turn everyone into mindless consumers.

So, I keep going. I persevere. I evolve. I adapt. I learn.

Because the moment I stop is the moment I concede to a system I oppose. And that’s not an option.
Not for me. Not for them. Not for the future.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I grew up in Morocco, lived in France, and now I’m in the US, and let me tell you, the lies and hypocrisies are universal. My work, whether it’s architecture, filmmaking, writing, or creating furniture for kids, is all done to defy the very fabric of this oppressive world. I got everywhere I got through blood, sweat, and sheer defiance. The path was never easy. It was a battle at every turn, fighting against a world that wanted me to sit down, shut up, and play nice. I first picked a paper from a hat and ended up getting three degrees in Architecture in France, then got too cold and picked a sunny place, and here I am in California. I got bored during covid and learned how to animate. Ended up with a film that opened new doors to the world. I worked for a few architects -for bread and butter, as they say- and hated dealing with hypocrite puppets, so I decided to face it with my own weapons.

My art, whether it’s paintings or films or buildings or novels or else, is split between two extremes: the ‘experimental horror dark drama’ and the ‘childish whimsical.’ I delve into the darkest corners of the human psyche, exposing the grotesque reality most people are too afraid to face.

And then, I swing to the other extreme, creating whimsical, neuroscience-based furniture for children. My small business is called LITTLE LAHLOU , and it exists because children deserve better. They deserve to have their imaginations nurtured, not crushed by the same systems that fail us as adults.

My brand is a statement against everything that is wrong with this world. I don’t create to please. I create to question, to challenge, and to inspire others to break free from the chains of societal norms, to make them feel better, to educate parents, and to raise healthy future generations.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
It’s hard to say, really, but let’s give it a shot. If my best friend were visiting, we’d start in Fez, where I grew up. We’d explore the ancient parts of the city, the areas built around the year 500. It’s a place that didn’t need modern technology to thrive. The architecture there naturally cools even the hottest days, a testament to real ingenuity—something rich countries with their delusions of technological superiority could learn from. We’d wander through the narrow, winding streets of the medina, and soak in the rich history that seeps from every corner. We’d eat traditional Moroccan food—tagine, couscous, and fresh mint tea—prepared with techniques passed down through generations.

Then, I’d take them to LA, not to the glitzy tourist traps, but to the parts of the city that show its real face. We’d visit Skid Row and the neglected neighborhoods, where you’d see the stark contrast to the Hollywood facade. Here, despite the systemic failures, you’d find people with incredible resilience and kindness. It’s a harsh reality, but it’s necessary to see the truth behind the illusions.

For a change of pace, we’d end the week camping on the beach. There’s something profoundly freeing about being in nature, away from the noise and chaos of city life. We’d build a fire, watch the sunset, and let the sound of the waves wash away the tension. It’s a reminder that there’s still beauty and tranquility to be found in this world, despite its many flaws.

That’s the itinerary, from ancient wisdom to modern struggles, ending with a return to nature. It’s a deep experience, not the sanitized version of life that society tries to sell us.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
To the professor at school who, decades ago, saw something in a restless, rebellious spirit and decided to nurture it—you gave me more than knowledge; you gave me care, guidance, and the courage to question everything.

To the cast and crew of the films we’ve made together—you’ve been more than collaborators; you’ve been my comrades in the truest sense, crying, laughing, challenging, pushing, and creating magic alongside me.

To the festival programmers who, in their wisdom and kindness, adopted me as one of their own—you didn’t just provide platforms for my work; you offered me a place in your world.

To my colleagues, my friends, who saw my potential and urged me to quit my job and pursue my own path—you recognized something in me that I couldn’t see myself.

And to my husband, who wiped my tears and absorbed my tantrums—you have been my rock, my sanctuary, the calm in my storm.

Website: www.meryemlahlou.com and www.littlelahlou.com

Instagram: @merylou_why and @littlelahlou

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meryem-lahlou-ba0488166/