In this exclusive interview, Serrat reflects on her experience with the French luxury brand and talks candidly about the reality of being a working mother of two
It's early for Violette Serrat when she dials in from Paris, France. Guerlain’s creative director of make-up and founder of her own eponymous beauty brand is back to work after giving birth to her second daughter. She is in high spirits as the weather has begun to warm up, turning her camera around to show me the sunlight streaming into her modern, minimalist office through the large windows.
"I'm adjusting to life with two jobs and two kids. I've never been so happy. I feel so blessed," she says.
She is hitting the ground running with the recent launch of Guerlain’s innovative powder-infused liquid foundation, Terracotta Le Teint, the latest in her mission to refresh the French luxury beauty brand’s signature products since her public appointment as creative director of make-up in July 2021.
See also: Violette Serrat is Guerlain's creative director of make-up
Below, Serrat opens up about how she is balancing motherhood and her career, and what she has in store for one of the oldest and most luxurious beauty brands in the world.
What has been the highlight from the last two years as Guerlain’s creative director of make-up?
The most special moments with Guerlain actually came in the year before the announcement about my involvement went public. I wanted one year to focus on construction; I asked to receive the entire line of products so my team and I could analyse what was good, what needed improvement, et cetera. My office table was covered with products!
There was a moment when I said, “Okay, I got you now. Guerlain is one of the most beautiful maisons in the world and I’m going to put you back where you belong.”
It’s almost like when you find someone who has great potential and you’re excited to help them reveal themselves. It was such a joy—I loved that.
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