Meet Si of French by Design - the blog and the online shop. Since she's French and I've been enchanted by all things French since I was in high school, I asked Si for an interview. She graciously accepted.
Sunny: What are your thoughts on the image Americans tend to have of the Frenchwoman?
Si: Americans see French women as very sophisticated. It’s not necessarily the case. We can spend hours to get ready but feel completely sexy in a pair of jeans too. It’s a question of self assurance : if you feel great, you usually look great.Also, French women don’t try to fit a mold as much as American women do. We each have our own style and it’s ok not to look like your neighbor or best friend. We actually appreciate the difference. I feel that in America, beauty and style are more standardized.Finally, comfort is as important as look for us. If we don’t feel comfortable and at ease in an outfit, we don’t feel good and sexy. Again, if you don’t feel good, you don’t look good!
Sunny: I agree! So then what is your personal beauty routine?
Si:I don’t wear a lot of make up, most days, I just put some dried power to unify my skin tone. I ALWAYS clean my face at night.I apply a lot of cream (daily cream with SPF for the day and extra moisturizing cream for the night). I do not wear liquid foundation. I use Clarins cream products and Kenzo bamboo and lotus flower moisturizing night cream [Crème Planante KenzoKi - not available yet in the US]. As far as make up : if makeup time exceeds 3 minutes, it’s not for me :eyeliner crayon, mascara, and some moisturizing lip balm {I’m hooked on the Clarins tinted moisturizing lip cream]
Sunny: Do you have a workout routine or do you fit activity into your daily life?
Si: I love running. I have been running for 3+ years – on and off because of a knee injury, but I recently stopped smoking (hey, I’m French!) so I am sticking to a serious running routine as part of the new healthy and smoke-free me : a 30-minute run twice a week and one 1-hour run on the weekend. I also walk a lot and never take my car if I can avoid it.
Sunny: What items are in your clothing wardrobe? Do you have any favoriteitems?
Si: I usually spend more money on classic pieces (leather jacket, white shirt,black dress) and buy cheaper “fashion” pieces – because I know I don’t necessarily need them to last. And for some reason, I find myself less interested in fashion pieces as I age. And I have a thing for shoes and scarves. The right scarf can transform a casual look into a city casual look. Same goes for shoes: a good pair of Italian leather shoes transforms an outfit.
Sunny: Describe your hairstyle and what products you like to use and styles you prefer.
Si: I currently wear my hair long – shoulder length - which is the longest I’ve had. I like it because it’s practical with my running routine and requires less styling {after a run, I just shampoo my hair and let it dry}. I sometimes blowdry my hair straight when I go out and want to look formal or make a fancy chignon, which gives me a stylish look without spending hours styling my hair. I don’t use a lot of products on my hair, expect if I blow dry, then I apply a lavender moisturizer on the ends of my hair (Aveda). I hate hairspray and never use any.
Sunny: Do you have style icons you look up to?
Si: Audrey Hepburn and Charlotte Gainsbourg. Stylish but all natural beauties.
Sunny: What is your decorating style like?
Si: Vintage eclectic. I love to mix and match pieces from different eras. I am a big fan of Scandinavian design and industrial era pieces. And I adore vintage pieces. If I can get an original vintage, I don’t buy a replica or newer replica.
Sunny: Do you favor a minimalist or non-minimalist approach in your home/life?
Si: I tend to stick with the less is more philosophy. After moving internationally a few times, I’ve learned that keeping pieces and furniture you are not attached to does not make sense. So my rule is : if you don’t use it or wear it for more than 6 months, give it away. Plus, chances are you’re helping a needy person. Double bonus. Also, I feel more at ease in a home less furnished and more open in floor plan. In feng shui, anything that blocks the eye blocks the good karma/spirits. I tend to agree.
Sunny: What are your favorite foods/meals?
Si: Wine and cheese [stinky cheese if possible] of course, roasted lamb with pommes de terre sautees [garlic and herbs sautéed potatoes] and tarte tatin (upside down apple tart). I don’t drink sodas when I am thirsty, I stick with water. And coffee, hmmm… haven’t gotten used to American coffee yet so we bought a Nespresso machine. But when my American friends come over, they think my coffee is way too strong…In summer, we cook almost every meal outside on the BBQ and have a lot of grilled veggies and salad to accompany the meat cooked. And we always eat together as a family, always – unless one of us is traveling.
Sunny: Any other thoughts you'd like to share with us about being a Frenchwoman living in the States?
Si: Loving every minute of it, even if I need my French trip fix once or twice a year ;-)
Thank you so much, Si, for your time!
