A coffee with Taline
Welcome to the club! To begin, who is Taline?
Hi, I’m Taline, the founder of TK Studio, a Paris-based talent agency representing a carefully curated roster of European content creators. At heart, I’m an imaginative thinker and dreamer who loves to bring artistry and inspiration into everyday life; whether through the way I dress, the way I style my home, or the way I capture moments on my iPhone. I also love to paint and draw, a passion I’ve nurtured since studying Fine Art at A Level. Friends often tell me that I have a natural ability to find the silver lining in everything; I like to think I see the world through rose-tinted glasses. Alongside my work, I’m deeply passionate about languages and cultures; I speak English, Dutch, French, Italian and Armenian, which has shaped my global outlook and helps me connect with people from all walks of life.
Where did you grow up and where do you live now?
Born and raised in Antwerp, Belgium, I moved to the UK at 16 to complete my A levels, and later pursued my university studies in London. After living there during the early years of my career, I moved to Hong Kong for 3 years before settling in Paris, where I’ve been living for the past 4 years.
What drove you to start TK Studio? Can you please tell us a little bit about it?
Following 10 years in the start-up and corporate world, becoming a mom gave me the confidence to believe I could accomplish anything. Motherhood really shifts your perspective; it makes you focus on what truly matters, how you spend your time, and what inspires you and brings you joy. That shift in perspective inspired me to channel my energy into building something of my own; something that aligned with my passions and values. What began as a marketing consulting agency, advising brands on influencer projects, quickly evolved into a talent management agency, after one of my now-talents was looking for a freelance agent. It was truly a lightbulb moment: I realised this was exactly what I was meant to do. From networking and project management to meeting deadlines, negotiating deals, and unlocking new business opportunities, it brings together all the skills I developed throughout my career and absolutely love using. And as a fellow creative who loves fashion, photography, editing, and bringing content to life, I have the deepest love and respect for content creators; it’s such a privilege to support them and help them shine.
How has your background working at LTK, NET-A-PORTER and CASETiFY helped you?
LTK was my very first job out of university, and I often say it was like doing an MBA. Being part of the founding London team at the forefront of the influencer marketing phenomenon was an incredible experience; many of my colleagues have since gone on to do amazing things in the field. Over my 4 years there, I learned everything from affiliate marketing and data crunching, to casting and managing influencer campaigns, while also building relationships with - and overseeing top advertiser accounts such as Topshop, Vestiaire Collective, and Etsy.
NET-A-PORTER was my true fashion baptism. I learned so much about seasons, trends, and designers, as well as how to engage top clients and bring brand visions to life through special events across Hong Kong and the APAC region.
CASETiFY, on the other hand, was like my doctorate in building a business. I was thrown in the deep end, hired to grow the UK market from scratch. From launching the local Instagram account and developing design collaborations, to working on the pricing strategy, it was a crash course in entrepreneurship. Seeing people on the streets of London with CASETiFY phone cases was such a proud moment for me.
What is a goal you have for TK Studio in the coming year?
My goal is to continue building a strong network of talented creators, helping them secure new opportunities with their dream brands. I love taking care of all the background work, from negotiations to logistics; so they can stay focused on what inspires them most: creating content. I want them to do what they love, while making the collaboration process fun and positive, because that’s how I strive to live my own life: with positivity and joy.
What does your dream vacation entail?
My dream vacation would be traveling to Hong Kong and Japan with my husband and 3 year-old son. I’d love to show my son where we lived as a young couple in Hong Kong and introduce him to all of our friends there, then fly to Tokyo to eat our way around the city, before heading up to Hakuba for a ski trip.
What does a day off look like for you?
Since I’m lucky enough to live in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, I love spending my free time exploring Paris’s museums and landmarks. A stroll through the Musée de l’Orangerie is always a great way to recharge and feel inspired; just as much as wandering through Le Bon Marché or picking up a new book at Smith & Son, my favourite English bookstore in Paris.
And as always, our favorite question: how do you take your coffee?
Although I love coffee, I’ve recently become more of a matcha girl. Depending on the season, I’ll go for an iced or hot matcha latte with coconut milk!
