ON HER MORNING ROUTINE
I am not a very early bird, I wake up at around 7:30am and rush to eat breakfast: muesli and a fresh fruit. Then I hurry to get prepared and to go to work, where I don’t have much of a routine so it really depends.
ON Launching Selency
Starting Selency came out of my passion for home decor, something passed on to me from my mother. When I started to work, I wanted to have a great interior with personality—not something I could see in other places. So at night I spent hours on Pinterest looking for inspiration and creating moodboards, and then many more hours on Ebay, Le Bon Coin or at flea markets to find great items at good prices. I realized I could save so much time there was one website that would gather home decor inspiration and a great curation of the best pre-loved furniture and home accessories. I also spoke with antique dealers to understand the way they were working, and learned that they didn’t have a tool that was truly catered to their needs for selling on the internet. They only had global marketplaces—and they didn't feel comfortable with all those platforms. With the needs of both the customer (me) and antique dealers not being met, I realized I had a great business opportunity in my hands.
On Going Into Business With a Romantic Partner
You have to be careful about the roles in the business just like you would with another partner. Be sure you are very complementary. The specific point for a couple is to find the great balance between professional and private life, which is an everyday challenge because the professional takes a lot of space. Find moments for you, for the couple, and keep leading your life.
On Her Beauty Routine
My routine is to hydrate: I use Chanel Hydra Beauty day and night. I love the texture and the smell of it. I also love the packaging, and it's a pleasure to have beautiful products in your bathroom; it makes me feel great in a way. No doubt this is due to my previous job...In terms of makeup, I use an BB eye cream from Erborian, vital in the morning. After that my favourite since 10 years now is the Terracotta from Guerlain. I cannot go out without this! And finally a touch of blush (pink), just for freshness, and I always just buy what’s cheapest. At the end some mascara and I am done. Lipstick is only for nights!
Charlotte's Beauty Tip
My only secret is to do things that make me feel good. If you feel good, your body will probably thank you. It's all about "balance", a great balance between food, sport, night out, sleeping, etc.
ON Shopping and personal style
I don't go shopping, shopping comes to me ;) I love shopping at home from my sofa on internet. My style is casual, I often wear sneakers and rarely heels. I need to feel comfortable. I love basics. I buy mostly at Zara as I think it's the greatest shop to get quality at affordable prices. And I love having some trendy pieces to boost it. There's a shop I love in Bordeaux to get some unique clothes, which is Sceno10.
ON Her Approach to home decor and design
My approach is to change very often and to mix many differents styles. So I have vintage stuff, some more classics, some design pieces, some Art Deco items and also new stuff! In terms of colors, I don't like having too many colors in my living room, it's where I spend the most part of my time and I want it to be a peaceful room so one or two colors maximum. Obviously I shop a lot on Selency. For new (and affordable) items, I like AM-PM.
Charlotte'S FAVORITE BOOKS
L'amie prodigieuse by Elena Ferrante
The New York Times: 36 Hours 125 Weekends in Europe by Barbara Ireland
La confusion des sentiments by Stefan Zweig
Charlotte'S FAVORITE MOVIES
La La Land, Inception, Kingsman, Tout ce qui brille
Charlotte'S FAVORITE PLACES
Best brunch for winter: Chez Casimir
Best brunch for summer: Sunset
Best lunch: Nanashi
Best dinner: Bien Élevé
Best bar: Puebla in les Buttes Chaumont
Best shop: Merci
Best gallery/museum: Museum Nissim de Camondo
Park: Le jardin du Palais Royal