Postcards from Paris
Sisley X Marina Afonina
While preparing for her Australian Fashion Week opening show, Marina Afonina, founder of Albus Lumen, visited Sisley’s home city of Paris. A constant muse throughout her career, we share her Paris postcards with you.
You appear to have such a love affair with Paris, why is this city so important to you as a creative? Why do you travel there?
"Paris has always been my number one city for inspiration. It’s a city full of magical light, incredible history and architecture and of course it’s a capital of Fashion. I go to Paris, at least twice a year for our wholesale business which I am so lucky and grateful for."
What does a typical day in Paris look like for you?
"A lot of walking for me, this is how you can really experience the city. It depends on time of the year and where we stay but ideally morning would be, waking up early and go to the local cafe/bakery and sit outside and watch people. Walk to Tuileries, to see an exhibition - one my favorite Museums would be Picasso and Rodin. Appointments in between of course. We always try to stay around St Honoré, Saint Germain areas as there always lots do and see. Dinner is always fun in Paris - one of our absolutely favourite places would be Bistro Paul Bert - classic French bistro with amazing food and wine – we have been going for years."
What do you pack when you travel and why?
“I keep packing to the minimum. My clothes are always very uniform like: denim, cashmere, t-shirt, shirts. I like to keep it very simple. Starting with beauty always great moisturizer, hand cream and lip balm as I love to use this on the plane as well and my skin loves it!
Sisley products are absolutely perfect for my skin - rich moisturizers, so hydrating and gentle at the same time. My new favourite is the Phyto-teint Nude foundation - I love minimal look for my skin and this product allows me to look my best self without looking that I am wearing anything! Another favourite would be Phyto-lip Balm in Crush. Very hydrating and adds a touch of color to my lips.”
Where do you always visit when you travel to Paris?
Galleries: Picasso/ Rodin Museé/ Alaïa Foundation/ Atelier Brancusi
Bookstore: Ofr. Paris
Parks: Tuileries and Luxembourg Gardens Versailles – a must visit at least once!
Favourite stores: Dries Van Noten (Saint Germain), Astier de Villatte (beautiful ceramic store in St. Honoré), BULY, and so many more….
Restaurants: St. Georges, Bistro Paul Bert, Caviar Kaspia
What does Art De Vivre “The art of living” mean to you?
“The art of living is embodied in why I love to travel to Paris so often, and seeing beautiful art, architecture. Being around it gives you creative force and power. For me it’s a type of therapy for the soul.”
How does nature as inspiration tie into what you do?
"Nature plays a big role for me as a person and also as a creative. I love the ocean and the sun also affects me in the best possible way. I am always inspired by natural textures and forms, also the colors of the nature can be so incredible. Nature is a never-ending inspiration…"
Where do you find “light in Paris”?
"Everywhere! Light in Paris is incredible and the best! At any time of the day, you can always capture special moments, from gold knobs on amazing doors, water sparkle on the Seine, beautiful reflections and shadows of all the amazing architecture around you. Beauty is literally everywhere you look."
Behind the scenes creating Australian Fashion Week beauty looks with Marina:
Beauty Notes – Shiny, Metallic, Colour and Texture. Tell us where these references came from and why they relate back to the collection?
"We were shooting for WISH magazine, and also shooting our look book while we were last in Paris and this was the perfect backdrop to first experiment with our Australian Fashion Week beauty look. Isabella Schimid and I wanted to create a cool and youthful look. Main way to describe the look would be: Awakening/ Youth/ Power/ New Energy/ Rebel/ Freedom."
What was the inspiration for the make-up look and how does it tie back to the collection theme/re-done/rebirth?
"We wanted to create the look that would empower the inner rebel but treat everyone individually, enhancing each person’s inner strength and beauty. Skin care did a magic touch and shiny metallics / color and texture brought personality to life. We wanted to create modern, wearable but at the same time a look that elevates and inspires."
