NARS: THE CLAUDETTE COLLECTION Q&A with Claudette, Francois Nars’ Mother & Muse

THIS COLLECTION HAS A MAJOR EMPHASIS ON BOLD PRINTS AND REFINED DETIALS, IT IS ALSO VERY REMINISCENT OF THE 70s RIVE GAUCHE ERA. WAS THIS STYLE A DEFINING MOMENT IN YOUR LIFE AS WELL FRANÇOIS’?

François would go through all the fashion magazines when he was 14, or even 12 years old, and he would always point out the clothes from Yves Saint Laurent. He said to me, “we need to go to Toulouse one of the Rive Gauche stores has opened there and you need to go and try the clothes.” He thought they were the most beautiful clothes he had ever seen. The fabrics were haute-couture standard, and I kept everything!

DID YOU FREQUENTLY TRAVEL TO PARIS?

Yes, of course, especially after François moved to Paris at 18. He knew the city better than anyone else, even though he had never been there.

Back then makeup artistry schools didn’t exist; makeup wasn’t recognized the way it is now. But François knew who the greatest makeup artists in Paris were. When we arrived, we found a small apartment in Saint Germain and I stayed with him for some time. One day François said, “come on Mom, let’s go have your makeup done.” So I went to see two or three great makeup artists, and every time I asked them if they needed an assistant.

I met Olivier Echaudemaison of Guerlain, who was so charming. He thought I looked Italian! When I asked if he needed help, he told me that, indeed, he had a show the following day and his assistant just had a baby. He said, “tell your son to come tomorrow morning.” He was so impressed when he found out how much François knew about fashion at such a young age. That’s how it all started, and since then he’s always had work.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR BEST MEMORIES OF PARIS WITH FRANÇOIS?

Shortly after settling in Paris, François had found out about a divine little restaurant on a totally remote street where the whole YSL clan would go all the time. He told me, “we have to go. It must be a good restaurant, and maybe we’ll see them there.” In the same restaurant on another day, Marina Schiano was having dinner with Pierre Bergé and she was wearing that wonderful pilot jacket from Rive Gauche. Later on, after Marina became one of François’ closest friends, she offered him that same jacket that she wore that night when he first saw her.

FRANÇOIS OFTEN REFERS TO YOU AS HIS FIRST AND GREATEST MUSE. HOW DID YOU HELP HIM CULTIVATE HIS TALENT?

I was always elegant, and in all humility, I had a bit of taste. I wore very little makeup: my eyes lightly done, a touch of blush, some lip gloss. And I used to tell François all the time, “don’t put on too much!” I never liked it when he was doing a bold look on me. And I love powder, loose powder. He used to tell me no one was wearing powder anymore. I always told him, “when you create a foundation, make it really light and transparent.”

WHAT BEAUTY ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THE YOUNG WOMAN YOU USED TO BE?

Don’t lose your freshness. When you’re young, you look great—so why exaggerate? If François does my eyes, I look 10 years younger, but that’s François, of course. I am pretty good at doing my own makeup when I take my time, and with the advice of the master! His forte is the eyes; sometimes I do everything else myself and he does my eyes. I don’t want to brag, but I am pretty good, and I taught him a lot! But you don’t teach a painter how to paint. There are skills, but then there’s the instinct.

HAS FRANÇOIS EVER SENT YOU PRODUCTS TO TRY BEFORE LAUNCHING THEM?

Yes, he always sends me skincare before it’s released. He knows what I like. He knows me so well. He once sent me an eyeshadow palette, telling me that it had all the tones that work best for me. Same with blushes. He makes a selection for me. He says, “I know you by heart, Mom.”

WAS THIS COLLECTION YOUR IDEA OR FRANÇOIS’? HOW DID IT COME ABOUT?

Both! I said OK even if I was a bit nervous that it might be difficult for me to work on now. But we spoke and decided to go ahead with it, and I love everything about this collection. Every piece, the dots, the hearts—they represent so many things I owned and loved. Everything is so refined.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ATTITUDE? YOUR STYLE?

I always loved simplicity, fluid dresses, nicely structured suits, pretty blouses in navy silk. I remember this one stunning black-and-white checked jacket. With a black skirt, it was fabulous. I remember that one night, we went out for dinner and Karl Lagerfeld was in the restaurant. I was wearing the jacket and François told me, “Mom, he’s looking our way. When we leave, you go first.” So I did, I passed in front of Lagerfeld first, without looking, and then François told me, “you know, the whole table was staring at you!”.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR SON, AS HE IS AN EXTREMELY BUSY MAN?

He takes good care of us, of me and his father. He sends us vitamins. We’re always checked on. He’s very thoughtful and never forgets us, even if he has a very busy life. He is a very generous man. Extremely generous. With the whole family. And with his entire Nars family. He loves to make people happy.

In the Philippines, NARS is available through boutiques owned and operated by Stores Specialists, Inc. located at Central Square in Bonifacio High Street Central, Power Plant Mall and SM Megamall Pop Up Store. Visit ssilife.com.ph or follow @ssilifeph on Instagram for more information.

In response to the evolution of the retail industry, the company introduced “The Specialist”, an At Home concierge service dedicated to serve its valued customers with their shopping needs.

Customers may get in touch with SSI’s Customer Service team through any of the following channels to inquire about a particular brand or product:

SSI GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE TEAM
Viber Community: bit.ly/SSILifePH
Email: customerservice@ssigroup.com.ph
Telephone Number: 8-830-5000
Mobile Number: (0917) 552 9359
Facebook: facebook.com/SSILifePH
Instagram: @ssilifeph
#TheSpecialistBySSI