Interview:
Isabelle Burdel, Master Perfumer, Salon Privé, Cannes, France
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Isabelle Burdel, Master Perfumer, Salon Privé, Cannes, France
To date, after more than twenty years of experience, Isabelle Burdel has created more than a thousand perfumes that have been sold throughout the world. She has, in particular, worked on the creation of perfumes with the world-renowned perfumer Rochas. For several years, Isabelle has offered her rare expertise, making the very complex and marvelous alchemy of perfumes available to private individuals, to reflect the very depths of their being.
The success of her unique and exclusive perfume relies on a very distinctive approach. It requires the ability to translate the emotions and uniqueness of a person in the form of a scent that is in perfect harmony with the true being and true reflection of that individual, the essential fine touch that reveals and sublimates his or her character. Salon Privé, Cannes France
INSPIRATION:
AWP: Name the books and movies, works of art and music, fashion or cuisine that have inspired you.
IB: I’ve always been fascinated by Gabrielle Chanel.
AWP: Do you have any role models?
IB: No, I am always my own inspiration.
AWP: What is the last book you read?
IB: A book on astrophysics. I read scientific journals in general or fashion magazines in large quantities.
WORDS OF WISDOM:
AWP: What is the best (or worst) advice you’ve ever given or received?
IB: “It is never better served than by yourself!”
AWP: What handed-down wisdom did you receive from your mother or father?
IB: Clairvoyance.
CHILDHOOD MEMORIES:
AWP: What childhood experience has served you many times?
IB: Listening.
AWP: In your youth, what did you imagine your adult life would hold? What influenced this vision?
IB: I have no recollection as a child projecting myself as an adult. Even today, I do not project to a later age. I remain very flexible in my future!
AWP: In your early teens, what formed your romantic fantasies of adventure and love?
IB: Movies, music.
AWP: What were your favorite childhood things to do?
IB: Dream.
CREATIVITY:
AWP: What nourishes your passions?
IB: Everything around me that is in quotidian, occuring everyday. The landscapes of Provence are inexhaustible sensations, each day offers different colors and scents. The windows of the designers are also a great source of inspiration; colors, cuts, materials, every detail of print and finishing, buttons, and movements of matter. The spirit of things.
AWP: How did you get your foot in the door at the beginning of your career?
IB: Only because of my motivation — I did not choose this profession. I discovered my vocation at sixteen years, it became obvious, it is always obvious.
PERSONAL STYLE:
AWP: Was being stylish important to you growing up in your teens? Is it now?
IB: I’ve always had a very specific view of what I wanted to wear, even when I was very young, and what I wear everyday is still as important.
AWP: How do you define style or fashion?
IB: Style is something that you have within yourself; each in his or her own style. It is best illustrated when you know yourself. Style is to be in perfect harmony with yourself and in the eyes of others. Style is the name of each projection. Fashion complements the style and proposes to follow and adapt current ideas in one’s own style, in my opinion.
CUISINE:
AWP: Tell me about your cooking and eating habits and traditions.
IB: I cook every day and I really like it. Through these actions, it’s a bit obvious what we offer. I have a penchant for cooking traditional French stew (especially veal stew in the winter), grilled fish and aromatic salads in summer, and all year round mixed vegetables — always very fresh ingredients and lots of flavors. I personally like Japanese and Thai cuisine.
AWP: What was your most memorable meal to date?
IB: Dinner at the Pyramid in Vienna (3 Michelin stars).
AWP: What is in your refrigerator right now?
IB: Fresh vegetables, fresh organic eggs, Figatelli from Corsica, very fresh goat cheese for an appetizer, pesto (basil sauce), and carrot juice.
ART OF LIVING:
AWP: What do you live for? What do you love above all?
IB: To live simply, that’s what I love above all.
AWP: What natural gift would you most like to possess? What talent are you most thankful for?
IB: I wish I had the sense of direction. But, I am lucky to have the five other senses — and very sharp!
A Woman’s Paris™ Discovering French elegance and personal style
We are captivated by women and men, like you, who use their discipline, wit and resourcefulness to make their own way and who excel at what the French call joie de vivre or “the art of living.” We stand in awe of what you fill into your lives. Free spirits who inspire both admiration and confidence.
Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening. — Coco Chanel (1883 – 1971) French fashion designer whose pursuit of simplicity made her an important 20th century figure in fashion and founder of the brand, Chanel.
Text copyright ©2012 Isabelle Burdel
Illustrations copyright ©Barbara Redmond
All rights reserved.
barbara@awomansparis.com
I’m sure some of the die-hard fashionistas will dismiss this collection for playing it too safe, or being too predictable, but when you’re sans head designer and you come out with a line this fabulous, I think it should be celebrated. We’re certain to see a few Dior ball gowns at the upcoming Oscars – just look for shades of black, white, and gray. For snapshots of the show, click here.
Photo credits: Pascal Le Segretain – Getty Images (January 23, 2012)
