MODWOMAN FASHION DESIGNER, MARIE SAINT PIERRE







MODW: When did you know that designing was for you?

MARIE: Somehow, I never chose the profession it chose me. As long as I remember, I was sketching all the time. I think people around knew before I did.

MODW: Where do you get your inspiration and what inspires you?

MARIE: Everything! I find ideas just by looking around me. Fortunately, I learned at a very young age that there is an infinite way to look at things and that perspective can change the nature of what you are looking at. Therefore, my biggest problem is to manage all those images. In other words, commit to a vision, an aesthetic and a style.

MODW: Tell us about what goes on during your day?

MARIE: I like to peak around all the different departments and see what the teams are up to. The business is growing and I’m lucky that I can still be in touch with most aspects of it. Besides all the tasks related to managing a business, my days are filled with fittings, choosing fabrics, strategizing, communicating, mentoring and volunteering. There is no day alike.

MODW: What is your favourite design element and fabric to use?

MARIE: I am a fan of modern art, whether it is a graphic or an organic rendering. To be frank, I was raised and lived surrounded by art and artists. It has shaped my aesthetic vision. Primary colors and neutrals are also at the center of this aesthetic. Thus, I need to use impeccable fabrics that give these colors a sense of fashion, of time.

MODW: What is the most important garment that every woman should have in her wardrobe?

MARIE: I would think that every woman needs a convertible garment. Those pieces that can be a dress and a coat, masculine and feminine, structured and fluid at the same time. Those hybrid items are modern and stand apart in all occasions because they are always just a little aside of the protocol and are multifunctional.



MODW: What is your favourite scent?

MARIE: I have developed two fragrances around the concept of unisex scent, which is starting to be very popular right now. B is a sensual fragrance developed around a journey in the forest; violets, bee wax and maple. While C is a wild and bewitching scent of velvet leather and white flowers melting on the skin. My long time favorite Bel Ami, a masculine fragrance by Hermès was a source of inspiration with its complex yet very sensuous smell.


MODW: Tell us about your charity.

MARIE: I founded Sous Zéro in 2004 after I had moved my working studio in a relatively poor but upcoming and artsy neighborhood. I was very moved to witness, on a daily basis, kids going to school without proper clothes. The idea emerged to do something. I thought it would be a one-time operation and now, since its creation, the fund helped dressed more than 5,000 kids.
Sous Zéro gives in a very special manner new winter garments to underprivileged children. A way to enhance their self-esteem and well-being.

MODW: What is important to you?

MARIE: Generosity, integrity, spontaneity.

MODW: What makes you laugh?

MARIE: My sense of humor is developed around playing with words, irony, repetition and absurdity. I am a good audience. It is such a good way to take a full step back at your life or a situation. Laughing is not always related to joy, it is a remarkable mechanism to relief stress. I have a sense of absurdity and cynicism that makes me love to laugh even at bad jokes.

MODW: Where did you last travel?

MARIE: I went to Europe with my family last summer. It’s great to bring my kids to cities where I’ve traveled so often for business. I also made a stop in the south of France through the town of Beaune to enjoy great vineyards, beautiful sceneries and the jet setting St. Tropez to meet friends and enjoy some sun.

MODW: What relaxes you?

MARIE: Champagne! When I want to relieve myself from the constant flow of demands that my work delivers, I find champagne extremely efficient Designing, producing and marketing a collection twice a year is very athletic.

MODW: Favourite memory/moment in the last year?

MARIE: I don’t wait for special occasions to enjoy life! I love to dine, drink, talk and laugh with friends and family and that, as often as possible.

MODWOMEN'S NATURIST, PRISCILLA WOOLWORTH

             Photo Courtesy of Priscilla Woolworth

MODW: Your family has created quite the name for themselves in American History. What's it really like being a Woolworth?

PRISCILLA: I recognize my family's history of being part of the F.W. Woolworth retail company, but we are very much like any other family, with its highs and lows. My heritage is not something I dwell on. My life is taken up with normal family business, my daughters, my work, tending the garden, cooking dinner at home, etc.

                     Priscilla's Garden

MODW: What made you become so intrigued by being involved in the eco-friendly business?

PRISCILLA: When I realized that the world has limited resources. I decided I wanted to be a part of the movement of change to a healthier more sustainable way of living. This change had to start with me and the choices I make in my own life and how I could best serve my customer. From the sort of products I sell in my store, to the resources and services I recommend.

MODW: What are some of your favorite beauty products?

PRISCILLA: The Odacite' skin care line is top notch and I love it so much that I carry it in my store. I also use a natural olive oil soap (from my store) to wash my face, 100% jojoba oil to keep my skin soft, especially after I have exfoliated in the shower. You will always find a Pangea lip balm and Body Shop hemp hand cream in my handbag.

MODW: Share with your readers some of the things that are of vital importance when it comes to living an eco-friendly lifestyle?

PRISCILLA: We all need to waste less and one of the easiest ways is by reusing glass food containers you bought from the market.  Buying locally grown organic food as often as you can is not only healthier for you and your family, but also showing your support to local farmers will encourage them to keep their farms going. Eating a plant-based diet is less stressful on the environment and healthier for us as well. We all need to support businesses that make toxin free beauty products, and cleaning products. Making the chemical-free product lines the norm rather than the exception.

MODW: Your grandparents began your interest in composting. What is so important about this practice?

PRISCILLA: Composting is one of the essential parts of gardening. Gardening is a life cycle and composting is the part of the cycle that returns nutrients and fertility to the soil. A knowing gardener loves the smell of compost! It's just so wonderful that you can turn your kitchen scraps into nutrient rich material, instead of adding more waste to our overburdened landfills.

MODW: Best travel destination to experience the real beauty nature has to offer?

PRISCILLA: Cuixmala, Mexico is a beautiful haven in the jungle on the Pacific coast. The moment you step outside your casita, you are surrounded by lush gardens teaming with butterflies and birds. Its heavenly. I love to go hiking or biking on the dirt road that winds it's way through the sweetly scented and abundant vegetation. A very special experience I have had there is to release baby sea turtles into the ocean from the large beach where the turtle's habitat is protected. It's magical.

MODWOMEN: How would you explain the décor of your Eco-friendly home?

PRISCILLA: My home is a cross between a Tepee, a Cabinet of Curiosities and French Provencal mas: A mix of family heirlooms, rocks collected on my travels, shells, feathers, lots of books and many natural found curiosities. A "mas" is a self-sufficient economic unit, which produces its own fruit and vegetables. Though mine also produces solar energy, compost and plenty of organically grown harvested seeds.

MODW: What are some starter tips you can give someone looking to delve into this lifestyle?

PRISCILLA: Start with things that are manageable, one thing at a time, until it becomes second nature to you and then move onto the next thing. Replacing your beauty products with chemical free ones as well as replacing your cleaning products with non-toxic ones. Just do one at a time, until you have fully switched to the healthier and safer alternatives. Always go for the simpler products with the least amount of ingredients. A super resource to learn which products are the best to use is the Environmental Working Group's site: http://ewg.org/

MODW: What is your favorite homemade meal and how is it created?

PRISCILLA: I'm obsessed with the recipe in my October Almanac: the brown rice and kale dish. I add shiitake mushrooms and grilled salmon to it as well and its just an all around excellent meal. The recipes I share in my monthly almanac are all the ones that I love the most! I'm still eating the breakfast recipe I featured in my September Almanac just about every morning: organic gluten free granola + Greek yogurt + sunflower seeds + berries in season.

MODW: What are some of your favorite fashion labels, and what do you look for when you shop for clothing and accessories?

PRISCILLA: I dress very similar to when I grew up in France and went to a convent. We had to wear a uniform of white shirts and dark blue v-neck sweater or blazer and sometimes jeans, and I still love those colors. I'll dress up an Agnes B jacket for example, with a Mapuche necklace, a beaded Masai cuff or a selection of mixed beaded bracelets. Half of my closet is full of black jackets but I just bought a gorgeous dark green jacket from Dovima Paris and I'm embracing the new color in my wardrobe.

MODW: How hard is it introducing children into this way of living? Was it difficult or easy with your own?

PRISCILLA: Children most often follow what you do so mine had no choice but to be greenies like their mother. Years ago, when it became second nature for me to recycle cans and paper for example, they did the same and would proudly announce it to me when they had. Now, they use their own market bags to go shopping, and try to buy food organically grown. My daughters are living on a budget and feel that some organic foods are too expensive for them, so they have learned to make healthy choices and spend their money on produce that should only be organic like apples, celery and kale, and compromise on other produce such as asparagus, onions and mushrooms- which don't have as many pesticides. When my daughters were teenagers, they were sometimes embarrassed by how eco I was, but now they are very proud. They know I walk the talk.

                Organic Produce

MODW: What are Priscilla Woolworth's words of wisdom? 

PRISCILLA: We can all change the world by what we buy.

www.priscillawoolworth.com

MODWOMEN's CONNOISSEUR OF LUXURY: YAFFA ASSOULINE



                                                                                                Photo Courtesy of Yaffa Assouline

MODW What does luxury mean to you?
YAFFA It’s a philosophy.

MODW What inspired you to start Luxury Culture? 

YAFFA Misinterpretation of the word luxury which has nothing to do with money but rather is fundamentally associated with culture. Without culture, education or emotion we cannot understand luxury.

MODW One of the most challenging moments of your life? How did you deal with it?

YAFFA Being both a mother and an entrepreneur. I try to do my best.

MODW Is there a woman in your life that has inspired you?

YAFFA All women who assume themselves, whether that means being a mother or a successful businesswoman or anything else.

MODW What do you do on your down time?

YAFFA Dream and create new projects.

MODW Favorite hang out in Paris?

YAFFA I love to just wander around and stop at a café to people watch – that’s the real Paris. I love the bars and galleries at the Plaza Athenee.

MODW Top choice hotels in Paris?

YAFFA For lunch I like the gardens of Le Bristol, Le Meurice, Plaza Athenee, Costes, Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental or the bar at the Hotel Westminster.

MODW What scent elevates your happiness?

YAFFA Serge Lutens perfumes and Ambre Sultan in particular.

MODW Favorite drink? Shoe designer? Travel destination? Style?

YAFFA Water.mPrada because sometimes their shoes are very comfortable. Gocek on the Turkish Riviera. Seventies chic.

MODW Favorite book of all time? What are you reading now?

YAFFA I love so many books it’s difficult to choose. I am currently reading about the life of Boris Cyrulnik.

MODW What are you listening to right now?

YAFFA Classic jazz in general, Yoyo Ma, Bobby McFerrin, Chet Baker, Maria Callas and Pavarotti. Their voice and their talent are unique.

MODW You look fantastic Yaffa, do you have a beauty regime you follow? Products you recommend?

YAFFA I’ve never stuck to any regime but perhaps I should. I like Clarins products.

MODW Favourite Quote?

YAFFA “A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.” - Albert Einstein
“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.” - Albert Einstein

MODW Aspirations for the future?

YAFFA To use luxury in the best possible way on the Internet, the evolution of Luxuryculture and to soon create a sister site for Luxuryculture.

www.luxuryculture.com

MODWOMAN, WINE CREATOR LISA MCGUIGAN


                                                                                                             Photo Credit: Jason Loucas


MODW What did you want to be when you were growing up?

LISA An artist.

MODW What has inspired you to launch your own wine label?

LISA Having launched Tempus Two, taking sales from 0 to 150,000 cases by year 10 and making this a success for my investors, I wanted to spend the next 10 years building a brand that was my own without any investors just me.

MODW Being the fourth generation of an award-wining winemaking family, how do you live up to the expectation?

LISA My families company recently won International Winemaker of the Year at the IWSC twice in 3 years. This is a huge benchmark for me and hopefully I have the same capability in my genes but even still a massive achievement to out do but I am hoping.

MODW Can you share some of the challenges you’ve faced in life? 

LISA Growing up in a wine family and the pressure of your family wanting you to be a winemaker and the high expectations. Instead I studied hotel management and worked in 5 star hotels. Going into the industry is a big thing so I tried to keep my identity anonymous. My name tag was just Lisa. It wasn’t until I got promoted that people knew who I was and connected me with my family. Losing my sister. To leave a brand that was all about me, a culmination of working in hotels and giving it the gloss and polish. 
MODW How do you describe your personal style?

LISA Strong, poetic, rock and emotive. Style of dressing in classic black is not only representative of my wines but it is also deeply inspired from strong, influential female figures such as AnnDemeulemeester.

MODW Do your have a favourite designer?

LISA Ann Demeulemeester.

MODW What are some essential items you use: skincare, make-up or fragrance? 

LISA Chanel skincare and makeup, La Prairie face creams, MAC lipsticks.

MODW What are your favourite parts of Australia? 

LISA Byron Bay, Margaret River, Tasmania, Tamar Valley, Melbourne (infatuated most favourite place)

MODW What are the most memorable trips you’ve taken outside Australia?

LISA Trip to Italy with my first Tempus Two winemaker Sarah KateDineen to find a needle in a hay stack.

MODW Which woman inspires you in life?

LISA My mother and Madonna.

MODW Every woman loves to pamper herself, what is your idea of pampering?

LISA Shopping and buying lots of shoes and I love a foot massage.

MODW If you look back at the progression of your life, did you envision yourself where you are now?

LISA No not at all.

MODW What are things you have left on your bucket list?

LISA Sell wine through China – I have been asked to provide a tender to supply 100 x 5 star hotels and train all the staff throughout Asia. This would be amazing if it comes to fruition.

www.lisamcguiganwines.com




MODWOMAN FASHION DIRECTOR & STYLIST, ALISON EDMOND

Alison Edmond photographed by Walter Chin
ALISON EDMOND is a highly respected stylist in the fashion industry and was the former Creative & Fashion Director for Harper's Bazaar UK from 1997-2010. She started her career for Vogue UK under the reign of Anna Wintour and then Elizabeth Tilberis. Today, Alison works freelance in New York and LA, as a stylist, as well as an art director and consultant. She is presently the Fashion Editor-at-large for Marie Claire US, the Ambassador for British Fashion in Los Angeles for the British Fashion Council, and a member of the US Advisory Committee for the BFC Fashion Trust.

MODW Your work as Creative & Fashion director at Harper’s Bazaar in the U.K. helped transform the way we look at the magazine today. When you look at back at that time in your life and that experience, how do you see it now?

ALISON I look back on those 12 years as a fantastic time of my life - extremely hard work, incredible amounts of commitment, but with huge creative rewards, pride and satisfaction.  The fact that I was a key part of transforming the magazine from Harpers & Queen back to the hugely successful Harper's Bazaar was historic ... in fashion terms!

MODW What is beauty inside and out?

ALISON I think the fashion industry is the perfect industry in which to find out the difference between beauty inside and out.  It's extremely ruthless, tough and unforgiving, but I have made lifelong friends along the way.   There's a huge amount of exterior beauty, so you must always wait to make any judgments.

MODW Take us into your closet, what kind of pieces would our readers find?

ALISON I fear your readers would be a little bored in my closet as it's 90% black, like many stylists.  I don't tend to follow trends, I've pretty much dressed in the same style since I was about 17, and I just update it each season with different accessories.  I hate tight clothes, and I prefer subtlety over sexy pieces, although I hate prim and demure.  If I had to pick designers I come back to again and again, they would all be Belgian!  Ann Demeulemeester, Dries van Noten, Martin Margiela, and Haider Ackermann.

MODW From your days at British Vogue with Anna Wintour, can you explain to our readers what it was like to work with one of fashion’s most influential women?

ALISON Anna Wintour was everything you imagine her to be! Totally terrifying (I was 21 when she hired me!), and totally inspirational.  Although, I have to admit I was much more of a Liz Tilberis girl.  Liz succeeded Anna at British Vogue and I worked with her for 11 years in all.  She rose from being a fashion assistant, then fashion editor, fashion director, to editor in chief of Vogue and then Bazaar US.  I found her to be the most inspiring, giving and talented woman I have ever met in this business.

Editorial from Marie Claire magazine, September 2011. Photographer, Tesh; Model, Sarah Jessica Parker; Stylist, Alison Edmond; Hair, Serge Normant

MODW What is one luxury item you would just die without?

ALISON I have a rabbit fur scarf that someone gave me about 15 years ago, which is slim and like silk, and I go everywhere with this.  I wear it in the cold with coats, and in the summer on a slightly cool evening - I would be lost without it.  My mother always told me to keep my neck and chest warm as I am asthmatic, so her words stay with me!

MODW Style icon(s) and why?

ALISON Choosing a style icon is very hard.  I don't have one particular person I admire.  A few I look to are Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, Katharine Hepburn, Virginia Bates.  Can I say Tom Ford??  For modern day,  I love the Olsen twin's style, Alexa Chung and Taylor Tomasi Hill.

MODW Favorite fashion city?

ALISON My favorite fashion city is Paris.  It's hard work covering the shows every season, but somehow in Paris, it's not tough at all, and every show, every location makes it seems like such a privilege to be working in this job.

MODW What is it like being married to the man who is considered Vogue Magazine’s top male model of all time?

ALISON Being married to John is just normal to me!!  We started dating in our teens, almost thirty years ago, so he wasn't the 'supermodel' to me when we met.  Having that history makes it easy to get through anything life may throw at us - we've been through everything pivotal together.  Plus it was great fun to be able to also work together so much - everyone I ever shoot with knows him, which helps when I'm away from the family too much - it's as if he's there in spirit.  He's a wonderful father and the love of my life ... he just happens to be very handsome!

MODW You’ve been in this business for a long time, what is the most important thing to remember about working in fashion?

ALISON I think the most important thing to remember is to always have balance.  The fashion industry is fantastic, but fickle and cutthroat, so make sure you also have a life outside of the business.  Also, be prepared to work very, very hard, and work your way up from the bottom to the top.  All too many interns and assistants want to be on cover shoots from day one.  It may be fun to get there quickly, but you won't have learned what it's vital to have learned along the way, so your career will be over as soon as it starts.

MODW How do you balance work, family, and me-time?

ALISON I work very hard balancing work and family but it's always a battle!  I love my work so much, but of course whenever I can I put family first.  If you ask them they'd probably say I work too hard!! As for me-time ... what's that??!

Editorial from Harper’s Bazaar UK magazine, March 2009. Photographer, Paola Kudacki (Trunk Archive); Model, Colette Pechekhonova (One Management); Stylist, Alison Edmond; Hair, Gio Campora (The Wall Group); Makeup, Yumi (Frank Reps)
MODW Bad habit?

ALISON Bad habit... I'm super boring!  My one bad vice is loving Coca Cola!

MODW Favorite skin care regime?

ALISON I love the Clarisonic facial brush. 

MODW What are your favorite….

ALISON
Shoe designer: Camilla Skovgaard
Couturier: Riccardo Tisci
Fragrance: Eau D'Hadrien by Annick Goutal
Cocktail: I don't like alcohol, never have!  Back to Coca Cola!
Travel Destination: Anywhere so long as my husband, my kids and my parents are there.  I wouldn't care if I never got on a plane ever again.

MODW What’s next for Alison Edmond?

ALISON What's next?  I keep saying I'll slow down, but it doesn't seem to be happening!  I'll always keep doing my editorial as that's what I adore, and art directing shoots is my passion.  But I have a couple of TV show offers too; behind the cameras is preferable to me, but perhaps in front!  We'll see!

Ryan Delich

MODWOMAN, CELEBRITY FASHION STYLIST SYLVIE SABATIER

                                                                                                      Photo of Sylvie Sabatier


MODW   How did you get involved in fashion styling?

SYLVIE  I became involved in styling in France, thanks to my first boyfriend when I was in my very early 20s, who was a big male fashion model in Paris.
I went to visit him on a set in St Tropez , where he was modeling for a shoot for Harper’s Bazaar, and the editor was overwhelmed because her assistant had just quit. She asked me to give her a hand organizing the outfits and accessories. Her bedroom was filled with top designer clothes, and I thought I was in heaven!
I assisted her for 6 months, then started to work on my own as a freelance editor for print as well as some TV commercials.
2 or 3 years later, we moved to NY, and I hooked up with the French photographer working there at the time (Patrick Demarchelier, Gilles Bensimon, Marc Hispard, Francois Hallard, but also Horst, Peter Lindberg,Helmut Newton,Walter Chin, Marco Glaviano, John Stember, Arthur Elgort, etc).


MODW  You have worked on a great amount of fashion projects. Do you think there’s a consistent feminine approach in all your projects?

SYLVIE  I have worked on fashion shoots (Elle, Bazaar, Vogue, Glamour, Marie-Claire), beauty campaigns (Chanel, Almay, Avon,,Clarins, Olay, Neutrogena, L’Oreal, etc.), catalogues (Victoria's Secret , Bloomingdales, Barneys, Saks), advertising, and TV commercials.
Since I sort of specialize in beauty shoots, there is definitively a feminine approach to those assignments.


MODW  You have been working with a great amount of celebrities. Out of all your work share one of your biggest career challenges.

SYLVIE  One of my biggest career challenges working with celebrities where the “AVON” shoots, when the William sisters had a 2 years contract.
They are beautiful women, but they are not fashion models, they are very tall and athletic, and I had a hard time fitting those designer sample dresses, all made for size 2 or 4 women. Also they had no patience and could not stand still in front of the camera!


MODW  If you had the chance to work on your ultimate fashion fantasy, what would it be, and why?

SYLVIE  If I had a chance to work on my ultimate fashion fantasy, it would probably be a shoot with the photographer Peter Lindberg (I love his work and his way of picturing women), in black and white, on a beach with beautiful designers white summer clothes; or completely opposite to that,such as  a shoot with Terry Richardson, somewhere in India, where all those amazing colors inspire you; or something else. Too many to think about for an ultimate job!!!


MODW  Who’s your fashion icon? How did this person inspire your life and/or career?

SYLVIE  I am not sure I have a single fashion icon. I think I have had a few through out my career.
I have always loved the work and creativity of Muccia Prada and Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, their sense of humor, their esthetics .
As far as actress goes, Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and Katherine Hepburn , for the masculine/feminine style she endorsed, through out her life, and even Jane Fonda in Barbarella.


MODW  As a fashion stylist, paying attention to details is a necessity. Did this work ethic contribute to your life in general? What are the details you focus on in life?

SYLVIE  Yes, paying attention to details is a must in the life of a fashion stylist, but also the ability to improvise, and mix different styles. I am always careful not to over do it, I like natural elegance, and I run away from fashion victim looks.
I think you have to know your body and know what works for you rather than following fashion blindly.


MODW  You are fluent in French, English and Spanish. Which language do you find the most sentimental? What is your favorite quote in that language and how does the quote inspire your life?

SYLVIE  I find the Spanish language the most sentimental, probably because it is a new language for me, and I love the sounds of certain words such as  “mi coracion”,“mariposa”,melocotton”…especially when they are pronounced from the castiliano Spanish, not the south American Spanish!


MODW  Out of all the places you have journeyed please tell us about your favorite city to spend your holidays and your favorite city to work in. Out of the five senses, which comes to you the first when you think of those cities?

SYLVIE  Out of all the places I have journeyed, I believe my favorites is Formentera (Spain), for its laid back lifestyle, its food, its light, its beautiful simple houses, and easy going atmosphere.
But I also have a week spot for Bali, its culture, its beautiful people, its incense and flowers smell everywhere, and its harmonious architecture. Not to forget its nightlife!
As far as work, New York is one of my favorite, because it brings so much adrenaline to your blood, the pace, the creativity, and the challenge!


MODW  You have built a fabulous house in Todos Santos, how did you come up with the idea?
Sylvie's House i Todos Santos, Outdoor Views

SYLVIE  I bought a piece of land in Todos Santos about 7 years ago, on an impulse. I had never been there before, and I did not know anyone there. But it was a few years after 9/11, when I happened to be in NY when the terrorists hit the towers, and I had then a need for space and peace, for a place to go when you need to recharge yourself.
I spend a long weekend in TS and bought my land on the 3rd day. I then proceed to think about what would be my dream house, taking into account the location, the local building techniques, the weather, etc…
Sylvie's House in Todos Santos, Indoor Views

I always loved the little white Spanish “fincas” (farms), the greek village houses, the Balinese wood and bamboo houses, the Moroccan architecture, but also the hacienda style Mexican houses. I put together a lot of pictures from my favorite decoration magazines (Cote Sud , Marie-Claire maison), and started drawing on a piece of paper what would make sense to built on my property, and my life style. One main building,  with the kitchen, dinning and living room, where every one can gather, with a fireplace (it can get a little chilly at night in the winters) and an outdoor fire pit with huge sofas to lay on, then 3 separate bungalows for each bedrooms, so that every one can have their privacy and relax on their own time.
A year after the house was finish, I built the pool and the pool bedroom, because it’s great to go to the beach, but it’s even better to be able to jump in the pool afterwards, or stay home all day long, cooking, listening to music, reading in the shade on a comfortable pool chair!


Sylvie(left) with her friends, Euva Anderson(center), and Catherine(right)
 in Todos Santos

MODW  What is the most important product to you in your make-up kit? And your favorite fragrance?

SYLVIE  The most important product in my make-up kit is probably tweezers! I use very little make-up, some eye shadows, and mascara, and some natural color lip moisturizer, but I like my eyebrows and nails to be always impeccable!
As for fragrance, I like the “Eau d’Hadrien” by Anick Goutal, a fresh, lemony smell. And I sometimes just use some amber base oil.


MODW  What does fashion mean to you as a woman? Do you think a woman’s wardrobe choice has a good amount of influence on her life? What about your personal experience?

SYLVIE  Fashion for a woman is a way to express herself, her mood, and her fantasy. Some days you feel like dressing up, experimenting, having fun, being admired, or seductive. Some days , you want to blend in, almost hide, and feel comfortable with just a pair of jeans (as long as it's well cut!) and a white T shirt.
As far as I am concern, the older I grow, the more I want to feel comfortable in my clothes. I like classic, well-cut clothes that I know fit my body and my lifestyle.
Depending on the environment, I love “Hippy chic”, Indian inspired outfits, when on vacation; and more pragmatic, easy to wear clothes when I am in town, working.


MODW  What is the best advise you got from your mother when you were growing up?

SYLVIE  The best advice I got from my mother growing up was “be yourself and believe in yourself”.


MODW  What is the biggest decision you made in your life so far? How did it change your life?

SYLVIE  I think I have made a lot of big decisions in my life so far, but the main one probably being the move to NY when I was 23 years old, out of an impulse, not sure what to expect, and seeing my career as a fashion stylist really take off there, working with famous photographers, on big job assignments.
From there I met my husband, Christophe Lanzenberg, a DP (director of photography, cameraman) on a shoot for a commercial, then traveled back and forth between NY and LA where he was based. Eventually I  settled to LA full time, where I still work as a fashion stylist but I am also now flirting with interior design.


TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SYLVIE, PLEASE VISIT www.sylviesabatier.com


Polaris Zhao