22 min with Élise Chalmin
Élise Chalmin ©The Fashion Stories
Colorful designer Élise Chalmin
Élise Chalmin is a French designer who carefully combines sense and style. Her ready-to-wear collections enable her customers to dress for every occasion while respecting the planet. To mark the launch of her first capsule, The Grand Chalmin Love, she talks to the Poinçon 22 team. Discover her world of patterns and creativity in our 22 questions.
“Je voulais me prouver que je pouvais y arriver, être libre et montrer aux gens que c’est possible de se lancer dans un projet quand on y croit.”
Your astrological sign?
I'm a Sagittarius. (Yes, it's my birthday soon haha)
What three pieces do you think a woman should always have in her wardrobe?
A double-breasted jacket with gold buttons
A pair of moccasins
A silk shirt
What's your morning routine?
At the moment it's been turned upside down by the arrival of my baby, but let's just say it used to be breakfast, shower, moisturizer and getting dressed. At the moment, it's more diaper, bottle and email, and we'll see about showering and getting dressed later!
What's your favorite piece of jewelry that you wear every day?
My medals that I wear around my neck and my Tiffany & co necklace.
What's your definition of style?
“Ma définition du style passe plutôt par l’attitude. Il faut savoir porter des pièces qui nous mettent en valeur, des coupes simples sont toujours un essentiel que l’on pourra garder dans le temps.”
Do you prefer bobs or hats?
I prefer a hat, because I think it's very elegant, but I don't feel comfortable in it, so I tend to wear bobs.
©Élise Chalmin
Élise Chalmin in Bidart ©Élise Chalmin
A scent you love?
I have a very sharp nose, unfortunately I had Covid-19 in August and since then my sense of smell has taken its time to return... but I love the smell of books, cellars and Tom Ford Jasmin Rouge perfume, which is a bit of a paradox because I don't really like Jasmine.
Is your passion for color also reflected in the jewelry you wear?
Yes, I've worn a lot of Hop Jewels jewelry, which are like children's necklaces made of multicolored pearls. I also have embroidered Camille Enrico medals around my neck that I can change the colors of, and for my 30th birthday I love La Californienne watches, which customize luxury watches with paint.
Your vacation destination in France?
I've been going to Biarritz since I was little, my father lives in Bidart. I love the spirit of the Basque coast, the simplicity, and 2 years ago I discovered Cap Ferret and fell in love with it. It's still very unspoilt, and it's become my favorite destination!
What's your favorite restaurant in Paris?
I've only been once, but I had a culinary orgasm at Anahi, an Argentine meat restaurant.
Where does your passion for prints come from?
I don't really know, but it obviously stems from my passion for colors. A print is a combination of colors, and that's what I like about it. I find that colors are a vector of well-being and good humor, and that's what they give me and what I try to convey.
The Élise Chalmin brand
What did you want to convey through your brand when you created it?
I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it, to be free and show people that it's possible to take on a project if you believe in it. I want to convey motivation, ambition and optimism.
Could you tell us moreabout Buy Less, Buy Better?
What I'm trying to get across, and what I've been adapting to my life for a long time, is that you have to buy less but better. I'm talking mainly about ready-to-wear.
“Je n’en peux plus de voir toutes ces marques qui vendent un t-shirt au prix d’un sandwich, ce n’est pas le prix des choses et notre esprit à été faussé par toutes ces marques de Fast Fashion qui détruisent la planète et exploitent les fabricants.”
We no longer have the right to be super selfish and consume like crazy! That's why Élise Chalmin advocates Buy Less, Buy Better. Buy fewer clothes, pay more for them, but keep them for longer, and pass them on to your children! We want to think of our clothes like designer furniture: they don't go out of style, and they can be passed on.
What inspires you?
I don't really have any, I draw on a bit of everything!
What do you think is the fashion trend of the year?
I've no idea, and I confess I'm not much of a "fashion trend" person, as it doesn't fit in with my idea of making timeless clothes.
Upcycling - Silk scrunchie made from fabric scraps ©Élise Chalmin
The store ©Élise Chalmin
A must-have accessory?
A fine watch.
What country inspired your latest collection?
No country in particular, or the land of the imagination.
Your favorite color for the season?
Pink and red mixed together.
Silk or cotton?
Why choose?
What's the latest green news from the house?
In the spring we made a lot of upcycling products, and for next summer we'd like to use vegan materials and continue recycling our fabric scraps.
It's been over a month since you opened your first boutique.
It wasn't exactly the right time to open a boutique, but we're a strong team and we're counting on our darling customers to come and make their Christmas presents with us for the deconfinement. And if not, it's very gratifying to see your name above a shop window.
Finally, which piece of jewelry from the Poinçon 22 collection do you love the most?
It's hard to choose, so I'll give you 3!
The P 22 bangle/a>
The Twist Ring