22 min with Chrysoline de Gastines

Balzac Paris is a family affair involving Chrysoline de Gastines, her husband Victorien and their brother-in-law Charles Fourmaux. Founded in 2011 with the idea of selling bow ties, it has gradually expanded into ready-to-wear, shoes, leather goods and various fashion accessories. Today, the Parisian brand is a favorite of many women, including the Poinçon 22 team, for its timeless, chic and refined basics.

Discover the journey, inspirations and desires of Crysoline de Gastines, co-founder of Balzac Paris.

The three essentials you think a woman should have in her dressing?

A white shirt, a pair of converse shoes and a César bag.

By the way, what size is your dressing room?

A big closet where order doesn't reign supreme, but I find my way around! And it overflows (a little) onto my husband's...

What's your definition of style?

We all have " someone's bad taste ", so I'd go with the adage: well in one's shoes.

More like sweat-sneakers or a blouse-moccasin?

Sweat-sneakers! Although I'm also very sensitive to the blouse-moccasin combo.

If you were a piece of clothing, you would be...?

A shirt! I can be in a man's cloakroom and sublimate a woman. I can be in a woman's cloakroom and reinvent myself at work, to go out or in the summer to put on a swimsuit!

What's your favorite look to herald spring?

I'm under the spell of this Tia Balzac Paris blouse, which can be combined endlessly with all shades of jeans or denim shorts. I have a weakness for total denim looks, so for the start of spring I've already opted for the Manoa jacket.

A favorite piece of jewelry you wear every day?

A vintage ring my husband gave me when our Colombe was born.

Which jewel(s) from the Poinçon 22 collection do you like best?

My Mamma necklace, my favorite with the first name of my two chicks in the back!

What is your astrological sign? Does it have any special significance for you?

SCORPION! It always means the same reaction when I announce it: " ah scorpion " (wind of panic) LOL!

What's your morning routine?

Getting out of bed between 7 a.m. and 7.30 a.m. (as difficult as ever).
Dress the girls! Prepare breakfast.
Wash up! Get dressed (try 2-3 stretches).
Then leave for school on the run (category never on time).
Once the two ladies are dropped off at school I head to the Balzac offices or home to do some teleworking and I always (RE)start with a nice tea!

What's your favourite takeaway right now?

Brasserie Bellanger ! A large table with friends, delicious match fries and friendly, smiling waiters... All right next door to us, for a great time at your fingertips. In fact, at the moment, the restaurant concept alone is a coup de coeur ;)

BALZAC PARIS

Retro or modern?

Modern in the way it imagines tomorrow's fashion, retro in the way it inspires blouses that are wildly old-fashioned and desirable.

What inspires you?

This summer, the ocean inspired us to love it, but above all to protect it. A committed wardrobe, inspired by the beauty of the Big Blue and made with new ocean-friendly treasures.

I always keep my " chakras " open to give myself a wide range of possibilities and inspirations.

In three words, how would you define the spirit of the brand?

Responsible, desirable and family-friendly!

Who's the Balzac woman?

The Balzac woman wants to move the lines and participate in the change by having a nice dressing.

If you had to have just one muse, who would you choose?

YOU! The Balzac customers who build our brand with us.

What's your signature style in the various collections?

I look at all the models: accessories and ready-to-wear, so my signature will be my eye, the one I've learned to hone over the course of the collections, but also according to your desires.

Why did you choose to open up to the world of weddings?

A wedding dress is a dream for every woman who wants to take the plunge and make a commitment. But this unique piece will also be unique in its use. That's why we've come up with a responsible collection using eco-friendly materials that will make our future brides proud and beautiful.

In France, how do you stand out in the ready-to-wear sector when you launch a new brand?

By defining its raison d'être and committing employees and customers to it.

" Trying to reduce our impact on the environment while at the same time offering a nice
dressing is our ambition. It's not always simple, but we've been believing in it
since we started in 2014. »

- Chrysoline, Co-founder of Balzac Paris

What place does your T.P.R project have within your brand?

The T.P.R project is at the centre of all our actions, we have grown with our clients and defined our raison d'être:" putting creativity at the service of eco-responsibility " to make it an infallible tool for resilience and reinvent tomorrow's fashion every day. It is in this dynamic that we have defined our three main pillars:

Ethics and humanity are at the heart of everything we do.
Durability: all our creations are designed to last.
Ecology, our main concern, is to reduce our impact on the environment.

What's next for the brand?

The opening of our Balzac Paris boutique in Paris! A unique place where our customers can discover our models, but above all discuss responsible fashion and spend a pleasant moment with our teams.

What's your favorite quote or motto that you live by in everything you do?

" One must always do well what one does, even a folly " H. de Balzac

"For me, the enduring spirit of Balzac Paris is perfectly illustrated in our choice to create only timeless, beautiful basics in quality materials, natural if possible, that nourish the dressing, last over time and that we always enjoy wearing from one season to the next. »