Ines de la Fressange

 She exudes power, elegance and a certain freedom that French women always seem to naturally possess.  Ines de la Fressange is a woman of pure beauty, grace and inspiration.  From her start as a muse for Karl Lagerfeld to her creative revamp of Roger Vivier ~ Ines has followed her passion for fashion throughout her 52 years.

 

She was the first model ever to be signed to an exclusive contract with an haute couture fashion house ~ which just so happened to be Chanel.

 

Her style is so chic and effortless!  Its no wonder that she has been spending her days designing, opening boutiques, consulting for the likes of Gautier and most recently reinventing the iconic French shoe company Roger Vivier.

 

And reinvent she did!  Ines put her heart and soul into making Vivier's name become known loud and clear.  She built a stunning office (which was much needed) and began doing all of the PR, operations, directing and sales meetings herself.  What I find most fascinating is how unconventional the whole thing seemed to be.

 

She was quoted in Interview magazine saying "It was very funny to be putting together a luxury brand on all fours. Even when we moved in here, one minute I was letting in Anna Wintour, and the next I was going to buy garbage cans. I was going to the flea markets to buy furniture."

 

 Everything was on a very small scale, very grass roots and Ines is not afraid to work hard for what she wants.  I also love the fact that she would hold sales meetings over lots of wine and delicious food inviting a myriad of personalities along ( "a writer, a psychoanalyst, a banker, a lawyer, a mind reader, a fashion journalist and an actress").  These lunches were filled with intriguing conversation, lots of laughter and visual collages that I'm sure made quite an impact.  Not following the protocol whatsoever the clients wouldn't even get a press package but all of this because she knows exactly what makes a memorable moment ~ or a memorable name in this case and it seems to be paying off.

{Ines de la Fressange's inspirational office on The Selby}

{Photo sources: 1. Paolo Roversi for Interview 2. photobucket 3, 4, 5. madame lefigaro 6. The Selby}

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Full Moon ~ Full Life

This New Year's Eve marks a very special evening.  It is a full moon as well as a full lunar eclipse.  A powerful night with an opportunity to reflect, reveal and find your true spirit.

Taking the time on this night to contemplate the storms that we've encountered throughout the past year, the challenges we've faced and the moments that have tested our limits.

 Embracing the solitude, hardships and difficulties with an open heart creates transformation.  And knowing that the wonderful moments are so much sweeter when we journey through the highs & lows.

 

And once the storm settles...

The strength unearths itself from deep within.  The realization that you can do anything.

The moon is always full.  When it reveals itself we see it as whole but it is always there!  That is the same of our human spirit ~ it may take some moments of fragility, imperfection and hardships to see our full spirit but it is always there.

Peeling back the layers, breathing new breath and releasing everything into the wind.  Allow the lessons that have been learned to be just that ~ lessons.

And then, like a blank canvas we start anew.  Awoken.  Fresh.  A quest to live this life fully ~ to be alive in this world! 

Shed all the layers.  Set yourself free and open yourself up to the light!  Happy New Year!

 xoxo love,

jolie

{All photos by Paolo Roversi}

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