What kind of work do you do or what are you studying to be?
I make fine jewelry with recycled gold sourced locally to help minimize our impact on the planet’s resources. I also believe that every style-conscious individual should be able to adorn themselves with precious little things they love, which help express their true personality and are a statement to their true elegance.
What made you decide to become a Designer?
I have always been tactile and enjoy using my hands to create. Having studied sciences, I am enjoying being able to use my maths to evaluate volumes, curves, calculate how much gold I will need for a project, estimate weights… It seems I have a nerdy side at heart that I cannot get rid of. Instead of drawing with paints or inks, I now have a palette of colorful gemstones and pearls at my disposal. How exciting!
Is fashion important to you? Why?
Absolutely. Fashion fuels me. I dislike routine and fashion is incessantly full of imagination and ever evolving. I love mixing new items with vintage finds or trying to make the clothes and accessories I dream of and cannot find.
For my wedding, I ended up making some of my jewelry, a tiara, and designing a brocade coat to go over my dress.
I think we can be like chameleons and that fashion and jewelry allow us to express the various sides of our personality.
What are your successes and how did you achieve them?
I have been lucky enough to have my jewelry featured in magazines like Vogue, l’Officiel, Brides… and won a few awards for my skills. I also had my illustrations on the walls of London underground (picture below), newspapers, mags, and bus stations.
Some of these stemmed up from a brief email I sent to introduce myself, others through lucky encounters.
Is the name of the Brand important to you when you buy clothing?
Not necessarily. I am more concerned by the care label as I eliminate systematically most synthetics regardless of the brands. I just prefer wearing natural fabrics and want to limit the number of non-bio-degradable items I have.
The clothes have to be cut properly and make me feel (and hopefully look) simply fabulous. I will have to try it on before buying as most brand items are made with shorter women in mind. Most trousers end up looking cropped and skirts like mini, which is not always what I am looking for. I have a few items from the men’s or the oversized Ladies' department as they can look amazing and have a great vibe!
Wearing an item I like just boosts my mood and preludes to a great day. That and a bit of lipstick (and also some chocolate). Big labels do not necessarily mean better quality and some can be quite disappointing although I have been thrilled with some of the Italian ones recently. The cut and fabric are gorgeous!
Describe your personal style of clothing?
French chic meets vavavoom extravaganza ?
Depending on my mood and the occasion, I can dress anything from demure to bright oranges and reds with a hint of fuchsia. I function with impulses and instinct. I prefer to set my own trends rather than follow them. I will usually add a scarf (carré or Twilly Hermes) and have a nice collection of hats from berets to wide-brimmed capelines for both winter and summer.
In winter, I like to pair my trapeze skirts with knee-high boots. Love swing jackets and most colors have a place in my wardrobe.
During the lockdown, I enjoyed wearing some of my nice outfits which were usually reserved for bigger occasions. I realized I could dress up for myself and didn't need an audience. Lots of fun, sipping a cocktail with a silk dress the mother of Samantha (Bewitched) would be proud to have.
How did you find your personal style? Do you have a signature look?
I guess my personal style evolved through the years and is still developing. It has tamed down as I barely wear my colored wigs or my baroque outfits anymore. Pinterest can be a great resource to create style and mood boards.
I have a few: fabulista for couture gowns, being stylish for daily wear, baroque for extravagance... Being tall, I do not wear heels daily and like little colorful ballerinas, paired with a matching bag or scarf. My wardrobe is quite eclectic covering eras from the 20s to contemporary with a flavor for the 60s and 70s. Some friends say I love my little dresses, and they are probably right. I also do wear lots of berets of fluffy furry hats too.
In winter, I love tweeds and Cashmere and wrap myself in long palazzo pants, thick scarves, and warm coats. As soon as the days get longer and the temperature rises, I have a need for more colors and prints. I enjoy adding a touch of lipstick, preferably red, and a simple eyeliner as it brightens up my face right away. And bien sur, I shall never go out without Perfume.
Do you have an influence on other people’s clothing style?
It has happened indeed. They have solicited me to come and give styling advice during shopping trips. It is nice to help a friend find clothes which reflect themselves and their taste.
What are in your eyes the best trends at the moment?
I think the big floral prints and linen shirts this season are ideal to brighten up a pandemic summer and make you feel free and elegant. I have also seen some lovely mules in padded leather and gorgeous straw bags. All we need now is the ability to travel to the beach and fill our bags with sun lotion, sunglasses, beach towels, and fashion magazines. (and a mask)
What are in your eyes the worst trends at the moment?
Baggy. Anything baggy which makes you look out of shape and like you could not care less.
What kind of fashion advice would you give us?
Be yourself, have fun, follow your intuition. If you like what you are buying, you are likely to wear it with pleasure for many years. Do not follow fashion diktats if they do not move you with excitement. Be daring and enjoy combining old with new and being playful. Fashion is exciting!
Who is your style icon and why?
Jane Birkin for her simple deconstruction, Brigitte Bardot and Eva Mendes for their sexiness, Audrey Hepburn for her timeless chic in Givenchy, and Sophia Loren because she is extraordinary.
Is there something else you would like to share with us?
Conventions are made to be broken. Fashion is about you being yourself, expressing your essence. Your Style is a timeless beauty and so uniquely you. Have fun with yours.
