22 min with Claire Despagne
Claire Despagne, founder of D + For Care.
Claire Despagne, passionate founder
Food supplements are our new beauty ally. Their effectiveness has been proven, and we're more convinced than ever! It's only natural that we should introduce you to Claire Despagne, founder of the D + for Care brand. Passionate about well-being and nutricosmetics, Claire created her brand of dietary supplements 2 years ago. Natural products, made in France, to accompany us every day.
“Je consomme des compléments alimentaires depuis 15 ans. Je ne peux pas vivre sans et j’adore l’équilibre que j’atteins grâce à ça.”
What's your favorite fall look?
A long wool turtleneck dress and biker boots. And my Star Wars hat, which never leaves me in winter.
Do you prefer your hair up or down?
Tied up, almost always during the day. Parted in the middle, in a low, ultra-strict bun. Probably my years of ballet expressing themselves! In the evening, if I'm going out (or when I was going out...) always loose with a slight wavy.
Large or small jewels?
Stately jewelry !!!! But very little... Only a few pieces...
Your zodiac sign?
Gemini.
A favorite precious or fine stone?
Diamonds, of course. And therose goldI'm crazy about it. I know it's not a stone, but I just had to say it!
Do you prefer a chill evening or a sporty one?
I'm a sports fan, but I prefer early mornings. So in the evening, it's chill time.
©Claire Despagne
The Day + stick ©Day+ForCare
Your morning routine?
I turn off my alarm clock as quickly as possible - I HATE that noise above all else. I turn on my phone and start my emails, write to the team, all the while religiously applying the same routine every morning: my DAY + stick, my coffee with coconut milk, and every other morning a 15-minute bike ride.
What three products do you think a woman should have in her bathroom?
Lip balm, moisturizing mask, eyebrow brush!
What's your favorite place in Paris?
Chez moi, I feel so good there.
Your favorite meal?
Sushi, cheese and popcorn. And don't ask me to choose! With a glass of cider, red or rosé.
What sport do you love watching and/or playing?
Tennis...I'm a huge fan. To practice and watch. I also love watching basketball, skiing, gymnastics and figure skating. And the Olympics too, of course. I'm the daughter of a sports teacher...so I was immersed in the world of sports at a very young age.
Which jewel(s) from the Poinçon 22 collection do you like the most?
Thediamond line wedding ring is THE ultimate jewel. And as I love everything that can be personalised, I would obviously say the Amore medal, in rose gold.
The DAY + FOR CARE brand
“J’étais convaincue qu’avec ma passion pour ce domaine, mon amour des actifs naturels et un grain de folie, je pouvais « révolutionner » cet univers avec des solutions malignes, efficace et pratiques.”
Could you describe D+ For Care in 3 words?
Efficient, practical, innovative.
How did D+ For Care come about?
I've been taking food supplements for 15 years. I can't live without them and I love the balance they give me. As an absolute fan, I bought and tested everything. One day, as if by magic, I decided to take the plunge. I was convinced that with my passion for this field, my love of natural active ingredients and a touch of madness, I could "revolutionize" this world with clever, effective and practical solutions.
So I left London and finance, and set out on my own.
The daily goal of D+ for Care?
D+ for Care is a brand of food supplements that takes care of its customers at every stage of their lives. We bring well-being and comfort, through natural and effective solutions for beauty, sleep, stress, menopause and much more.
What inspires you?
The little girl I was when I was 10, who thought anything was possible.
What advice would you give to someone who has never taken a dietary supplement?
Dig deep into your past, because you've probably already taken one! We've all taken vitamin C, done an iron cure or used herbs to help us sleep better. The active ingredients in food supplements have been part of our daily lives for years. I decided to go into this field because I was crazy about it, and I wanted to make taking them even smoother, more delicious and obvious.
Day + and Aloha, two leading beauty routines ©D+ForCare
Sleep spray ©D+ForCare
Claire and her team ©D+ForCare
Any tips for looking after your skin under your mask?
Zinc, zinc, zinc! And spirulina. Anything that helps purify the skin. Finally, take DAY + every morning.
What is your fondest memory of working with D+ For Care?
It's very simple, but the first time I had an article in VOGUE. I cried instantly. I was so proud.
How do you come up with new creative ideas?
I dream about a lot of things when I'm asleep, and in the morning I get up with an idea, trying to talk about it as little as possible. Then I dive right in, see if it's possible, what the obstacles are going to be, the timing, etc., and then I share it with my team.
What's magical is when an idea I'm working on in secret is also asked for by my customers. That's the case right now. And so together we are finalizing the creation of a dietary supplement to relieve menstrual pain. I'm so proud of this new creative process.
Could you tell us more about your collaboration with Maria de la Orden?
I discovered Maria through another wonderful designer, Géraldine Guyot de d'Estrée. I fell in love with Maria's looks, her graphic universe and her improbable patterns, which she makes both elegant and sparkling. I've always dreamed of designing my own pyjamas. I'm a huge collector of pyjamas, and rarely do I sleep in anything but real pyjamas, just like the kids!
Maria and I were taking part in a pop-up together, and as we got to talking, it just seemed like the obvious thing to do. We went for it. And it's been a real success, with customers falling for them, their mom, sister or friend. The perfect Christmas gift.
Finally, what advice would you give to someone wishing to start their own business?
Focus on the product. There's nothing more important. If the product is perfect, then the rest will follow.