A French Love Affair: Bastide x Sézane
Last week, we gathered at l’Appartement Sézane in New York to uncover the truths and myths of French beauty. Bastide co-founder Shirin von Wulffen moderated the panel featuring our very own Frédéric Fekkai and two fellow Frenchies (+ Bastide women) in New York City: Elisabeth Holder Raberin, the president of Ladurée USA, and Clémentine Desseaux, an entrepreneur, model, and founder of the All Woman Project.
So what makes French beauty so different? “French people are not as obsessed with beauty” says Frédéric.“French beauty is subtle, skin care matters more than makeup, that’s what my mother taught me first” explains Clémentine.
“I think the purpose of makeup is to show your face not to show on your face” adds Frédéric.
Clem, Elisabeth and Frédéric all confess that oil is their greatest beauty hack: it’s cheap, widely available, it works wonders on dry skin, and removes makeup like a charm. We agree, and that’s why we include olive oil in our soaps and lotions. While Frédéric and Clem swear by olive oil, Elisabeth stays loyal to almond oil, her ingredient of choice, since almonds are also the main ingredient in Ladurée’s world famous macarons.
So… Are macarons the secret to French beauty? “It’s all about moderation” warns Elisabeth, “if I’m tasting macarons all day I’ll make sure to eat something light for dinner”. We do think good food, paired with plenty of water and fresh air is essential to feeling and looking your best. As Frédéric puts it, “it’s not about injectables. it’s about ingestible.”
Post-panel, our guests could personalize their French valentines on-site with a live calligrapher, shop the latest collection by Sézane, and enjoy wine and treats from Ladurée.
This evening was also a chance for us to introduce our latest fragrance: Figue Amour, a woody, earthy fragrance that catches your attention with a burst of zesty bergamot and pink berries, followed by notes of sun-ripened wild figs and violet petals, finishing on a soft base of creamy woods. We wanted Figue Amour to be a love note to the majestic fig trees whose leaves create a moment of pause for the soul and quiet intimacy with nature.
We are partnering with Sézane this February! Come shop our Valentine’s Day collection in their beautiful Appartement in the heart of Nolita.
Stay tuned for more information about our special shopping party on February 20th with special goodies and activities!
Our deepest thanks go to our friends at Sézane and Ladurée for this lovely evening.
#LaVieBastide
