AT WORK

Alarm time

6:30. Either I go running (3 times per week) or I take care of children and accompany them to school.

On weekends I like to stay a little bit longer in bed and read books.

Your professional pedigree

An unexpected path: finance, production and then with my children’s coming I started to work in the fashion industry at Saint Laurent. I stayed in fashion area. Three years ago I launched my consulting business – House of Styles. My clients are different: big brands or young designers; I help them with their retail strategy.

Recently I also started to revive old brands. To wake up “sleeping beauties”. It’s fascinating!

Advices to start a business

No to be aftaid to work double time, to use some help and not to feel guilty about the time spent for your business versus with your children. Otherwise we can very easily become unhappy…

Your mantra

I try to get out of this bubble, this hysteria in the world of fashion. Living with a doctor really helps!

“Let’s put it into perspective”, that’s my motto.

Everyone dreams of this second professional life but only few of us decide to do it: how did you do it?

I could have never become independent if my husband weren’t there in therms of organization and finances. In my opinion this kind of choice is anything but a personal choice. There is a desire in the beginning obviously but the decision has to be taken in a couple. Because it has a huge impact on organization and finances of the family.

The balance between professional and personal life

I try to divide my time.

I work from home but when my children come back I am completely available for them. When I go abroad I spend my time working so that when I go back home I can spend maximum of time with them. But it’s a vast subject… and the balance is very uncertain.

Online fashion 24/24?

I switch off my mobile phone at 10p.m. to be away from the screens. And sometimes during long weekends when I force myself not to answer at any e-mail.

What did you learn from your mistakes?

Much more than from anything else! And above all: the first impression is the good one! Everytime I made a mistake is when I didn’t listen my first impression and when I was trying to rationalize. Trusting myself and listening to myself is the thing I learnt over time.

Next challenge

To revive an American brand I really believe in: Mainbocher. I have the feeling that everything I did so far turns around this project.

Discover the rest of my universe HERE