Find full interview on the Bold Journey Series here and below.
We were lucky to catch up with Audrey Tasiaux recently and have shared our conversation below.
Audrey, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
Museums – the Earth without Art is just ‘eh’.
Books, definitely. Wether a soapy romantic Jane Austen literature, a good old thriller or Françoise Sagan’s Bonjour Tristesse.
Music – same as books, a messy hotpot!
Effluvias, odors, fragrances, in a pretty Proustian ‘À la Recherche du Temps Perdu’ sense – olfactive experiences are particularly powerful in triggering my creativity, wether the scent of an orchard in blossom recalling a childhood picnic, a substancial oud perfume worn by an elegant lady walking in the street, or the reassuring poulet rôti cooking in the oven. No wonder the perfume industry is built around the memory – smell – emotions connection!
Places & atmospheres – I could sit for hours people-watching in a café. Strangers in situ can be truly fascinating.
And, of course, travels. Especially off-beaten paths, where the chance of fully immersing into a culture, its colors, odors, shapes, sounds, local customs & crafts, truly is an experience of all senses. A no-brainer!
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Diana d’Orville is a sustainable luxury brand built upon conscious artisanship. Limited Editions handcrafted in our Parisian atelier from French & Italian haute- couture materials. Inspired by the vibrant Riviera where I grew up, each piece is elevated to a wearable objet d’art.
An ode to French craftsmanship, freedom of movement & Mediterranean art de vivre brought to life by a singular signature depth.
Women like Diana my grandmother, exuding European aristocracy & extravaganza, are foundational to our creative itinerary. Each collection, tinged with History of Art references, is an invitation to travel in time, space & colorful Eldorados.
As Member of Institut Français de la Mode in Paris & Chambre de la Mode in Monaco, the brand crafts exclusive collections for luxury hotels such as Eden Rock St Barths, The Maybourne Riviera & Caesar’s Palace Dubai, whilst crafting haute- couture bespoke attires for high-profile clients in Asia & the Middle-East.
We have recently launched our own podcast featuring leaders in the Arts, Luxury Design & Lifestyle spheres such as Vincent Darré & Farrah el Dibany.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I think it is mostly about. being curious and thirsty for constant learning, more than particular skills, that make the whole difference.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
The wonders of saying no – I turn everything off completely, doing 360° switch from SATC Samantha Jones to a Tibetan Buddhist hermit! Wether it is taking myself on a romantic date to the musuem, paint or read in the sun.
When I’m home in Monaco I will go on a hike or swim in the sea first thing in the morning – nothing better than floating in the healing waves with a sunrise – Living the phytoplankton life!
I clean up everything while listening to full decibel music, pretty messy medleys ranging from Chopin’s Spring Waltz to The Pointer Sisters to Soviet Anthems – cathartic! I Marie Kondo everything from rubbing pans like a maniac in the kitchen to massive wardrobes ‘Spring cleans’ episodes. (I’ll admit I don’t hold each item to see if it ‘sparked joy’ in me but the KonMari technique does make sense.) “Cluttered house, cluttered mind” – the whole shabang!
I set earlier work limits and go to sleep – took me years to understand it, but sometimes the most obvious solution…is the best solution!
I take a step back – after all, I’m not practising brain surgery.
I set splendid tables for myself while cooking an equally splendid dish (or courtesy of the Italian trattoria takeaway, I must admit). I always have in mind that Eat Pray Love chapter where Liz explains that self-indulgent luxury of a simple moment with oneself ‘When I had fully absorbed the prettiness of my meal, I went and sat in a patch of sunbeam on my clean wooden floor and ate every bite of it, while reading my daily newspaper in Italian. Happiness inhabited my every molecule. My guilt alarm went off’.
Whilst we’re at everything food affairs, I do focus on nourishing, vibrant foods in particularly challenging moments – Omegas, good fats & protein in pole position!
And when it’s really getting spicy, I double up on cryotherapy/cold bathing sessions – get high naturally!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dianadorville.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dianadorville/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/audrey-tasiaux-82991382/