Artist Spotlight: Rommy Kuperus of ROMMYDEBOMMY
The ROMMYDEBOMMY Ikea Food Purse. Photo by ROMMYDEBOMMY
The sunshine is near, as are pastel hues, friendly faces … and lots of tasty treats! It’s true, spring hasn’t even sprung and we’ve already got picnics on the brain. Whether you’re dressing to impress for your bubble or just really hungry right now, we have one proposition – indulge in the decadence that is ROMMYDEBOMMY, the creative concoction of Rommy Kuperus.
Rommy Kuperus is a 29-year-old artist and designer based in Harlingen, the Netherlands. The essence of ROMMYDEBOMMY is breaking from the mainstream and taking camp to the dinner table. Also Cool was recently able to connect with Rommy via email, where she dished on her growth as an artist and all the goodies yet to come.
Rommy Kuperus of ROMMYDEBOMMY modelling one of her creations. Photo by ROMMYDEBOMMY
After spending some time as a student in product design, Rommy decided to forge her own path. Food has always been a passion and inspiration for the artist, and making it into permanent art was Rommy’s dream come true. “I like the shapes and colours even more than the taste of it,” she explains to me. “Every time I go to the grocery store, I am amazed by all those beautiful textures. A lot of people don’t realize that [the] grocery store is a museum itself.”
This fascination shows across her wide array of designs and creations. Farfalle bow ties, Popsicle purses and a wearable tray of airplane food are just some of the options to snack on. There are also Bundt cakes and chicken nuggets to put up as home decor. Her work covers pieces of childhood nostalgia and touches on so many cultural staples. If you can eat it, Rommy can probably design it.
How do these treats get made, you ask? Rommy herself is behind every step of the process, from the concept to the cherry on top. She gathers inspiration from food bloggers and pastry chefs all around the world, and handcrafts her designs with various forms of clay and foam. They are made-to-order, and Rommy takes her time to ensure that a unique vision is reflected in all her products.
Rommy Kuperus of ROMMYDEBOMMY posing with her Bundt Cake Home Decor. Photo by ROMMYDEBOMMY
This range of products reflects her customers and admirers from every pocket of the world, and Rommy is proud to work with all kinds of taste buds. “The Classic Pancake Purse with butter and syrup is one of my best-sellers,” she notes. “The Eaten Birthday Cake Purse is really popular at the moment. I have a lot of customers from the USA and I figure that they like the cakes the most.” Rommy also works with many British customers, a group that she describes as “more outgoing,” and she says that they tend to request the Potato and Supermarket Chicken Purses. Drool!
Since the COVID-19 pandemic started, Rommy’s business has boomed. “To be honest, it was the best year I have ever had,” she shares. “People couldn't go to their favourite restaurants, cafes, or the movies, so they [spent their money and time] on different things. I have never received so many orders as when the COVID-19 [pandemic] started.” Although the Netherlands is still under lockdown, she has been able to continue the ROMMYDEBOMMY business from home – where she makes her treats, styles and directs the product shoots, and ships each order out in a perfect pink box.
Part of this growth can be attributed to Rommy’s clever usage of social media. She advertises her products every day through creative shoots and immersive videos of her artistic process. The ROMMYDEBOMMY Instagram page boasts over 65,000 followers – this is how I discovered Rommy, after a friend sent me some of her delicious content. But her biggest audience can be found – where else? – on TikTok, the ultimate platform of the pandemic. She has garnered over 2.5 million likes and nearly 200,000 followers after starting her TikTok account just 9 months ago.
When I ask her to elaborate on this growth, she confesses that it almost didn’t happen: “My 15-year old cousin pushed me to go on TikTok, [and] I didn’t want to. But when I finally uploaded my first video, I realized it could be huge for my brand. After a month, I already had more followers on TikTok [than] on my Instagram. I completely underestimated TikTok in the beginning, [and am] pleasantly surprised!”
Running the ROMMYDEBOMMY shop sounds like peaches and cream, but it can be hard work for just one person. Translating an artistic vision to reality can also be hard work, and I was curious if there were any foods that Rommy struggled with designing. “It doesn’t happen often,” she remarks, “but last year in January I started with an Oyster Purse and I wasn’t feeling [the design] at that moment. I put it away, and last month I decided to finish the purse – it became one of my most liked pictures on Instagram.” Take a look at her final product – we’d be shellfish to keep it to ourselves.
Perhaps you’re interested in shopping ROMMYDEBOMMY, but want to make a bolder statement. Or, maybe you just can’t pick a favourite food (okay, relatable). Rommy also makes some groovy creations outside of the world of food. You can carry around an ear, some TP or a bar of soap if that’s what suits your fancy. My personal favourite was the purse I least expected – the sanitary pad. When I asked Rommy about this design, she was proud to reflect on its place in her shop: “The sanitary pad [design] was to make a statement. We need to normalize menstrual hygiene. Some people still call it gross and disgusting, [but] it’s nature. I think the end result of the sanitary pad looks really elegant and chic.”
The ROMMYDEBOMMY Sanitary Pad Purse. Photo by ROMMYDEBOMMY
In getting to know more about ROMMYDEBOMMY and the woman behind the brand, I was left inspired by Rommy’s commitment to mixing fashion with fun. Our conversation reminded me of all the whimsy and magic that can be found in everyday life, and how holding onto that is so very important.
Looking ahead at what’s to come, Rommy has a few tricks up her sleeve. “There are a lot of exciting things coming this year,” she shares. “More collections, more giveaways and more next-level food purses!” Needless to say, we’ll be hungry.
The ROMMYDEBOMMY Avocado Egg Toast Purse. Photo by ROMMYDEBOMMY
ROMMYDEBOMMY
Website | Instagram | TikTok | Etsy
Rebecca L. Judd (she/they) is a writer and student currently based in Ottawa. When not stuck in a daydream, she can be found writing, collaging, and talking about The Sopranos to anyone who will listen. Instagram | Twitter
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.