DORÉ

Obviously we weren’t going to pass up the opportunity to highlight the style of the chic, chic women that accompanied us to Monaco. First up, Héloïse! We are not shy about our love for Héloïse. After coming back from Morocco the team could not stop talking about how damn cool she was. Self assured, casual, and refreshingly down to earth. We won’t ruin the surprise but read on to find out how Garance met Héloïse and why we keep asking her to hangout with us whenever possible.

In May 2017, I was on a family road trip around Joshua Tree, I hadn’t launched my company yet, but had a baby Instagram account. I was using my phone as a GPS and all of a sudden saw that Garance started following Miss Maggie’s Kitchen! I was filled with joy and wondered how she had discovered it (which is something I still don’t have the answer to as I always forget to ask her !). We began exchanging messages during the Summer and I thought to myself I had to meet her because it felt like we already knew each other. She told me about Atelier Doré’s creative retreat in Marrakech and bingo, I knew I had to go!

A few months later, we met at the retreat (which I highly recommend – it was an amazing week with incredible women from around the world) and ever since she has been in my heart. We share similar cultures & values, a great curiosity for others, are sensitive souls & both live with artists. So it’s quite natural ! Distance is a drag, but friends always pick up where they left off, as if they had had coffee together the day before. She’s spontaneous, supportive & super smart… but you know that already !

You have done some extensive traveling around the world, how does that influence your style? Do you like to pick up pieces while you travel? Any rules you live by when doing so?

Travelling has definitely influenced my style in many ways. I am always inspired by the traditional clothing of cultures, the colors of walls, tiles, architecture, flowers & food. I adore local markets (food, flowers, fabrics, ribbons, artisans who make ceramics, glass …), it’s the first place I go as you get a real sense of a culture there. I travel with one very light suitcase and come home with at least three very heavy ones full of either pieces that I have seen used in everyday life, pieces I create with local artisans or “coups de cœur” such as a painting, a sculpture, a vintage fabric or piece of jewelry. My one rule is not really a rule… I just listen to my heart!

Everyone on the Monte Carlo trip commented how refreshing your strong sense of self was. Do you think you were born with this or did it take some time to develop?

Ah that’s interesting & nice to know! I have a strong character (my husband can confirm!) but my sense of self has taken some time to develop. My fortieth birthday was a turning point – you realize that you are mid-life & want to savor each day and listen to the little voice inside of you to be who you want to be and where you want to be and do a lot of what you love the most (and not what society tells you you should do). And here I am two years later, happier than ever! Life is not a tranquil sailing journey, but knowing & accepting who I am has helped me face difficulties in a more harmonious & serene way.

How does clothing help you find your sense of self? Have you always known your style or has it evolved with time?

I feel that we show who we are and how we feel through the clothes we wear. We tell a story with our style, therefore clothing helps define ourselves. My basic style has always been the same… but some things have definitely evolved! For instance, I tried wearing heels years ago but quickly gave up – for one thing I am tall enough ; and I have never felt comfortable in them (I love dancing and the best way to be is barefoot, not in 15cm high heels!). I admire women who wear them, but they’re just not me.

Can you talk a bit about your business, Miss Maggie’s Kitchen? Where did the idea generate from?

Miss Maggie’s Kitchen just sort of came to be – I had never thought it would be a business. I have always loved coming up with new recipes & sharing them with friends & family – little by little the word spread and in a few months I came to realize that it should & could be a business and that all of the things I love could be a part of it : food, travel, lifestyle, working with talents & artisans I adore… through a recipe journal, a box of treasures (4 times/year – one per year is dedicated to a country, the Bonjour Senegal box just came out !), films, events, collaborations with brands and press (I developed 7 weeks of recipes for ELLE France this summer)… and there is so much more I would love to do this year : find a venue/studio, a book project etc. The possibilities are endless!

Striped shirt & navy pants, Cos; Necklace, mix of vintage lucky charms; Bracelets, found in India; Head scarf, Bonton; Yellow sandals, Roger Vivier; Small earring, Maria Tash from Hod.

White dress, Sœur; Bag, CSAO x Miss Maggie’s Kitchen collaboration bag (made out of wax and hand embroidered in Senegal); Sunglasses, Louis Vuitton.

Shell bracelets, found in India; Brass bracelets, found in Senegal; Earring, LA2L.