One of the best things about my job is the incredibly talented, inspiring people that I have the pleasure of meeting every single day. Even after 20 years as a stylist, I still get excited about going to work… even when the weather is a little on the dramatic side.
Non-Sydney residents may have heard of our recent, freakishly cyclonic rains (read: hail, flash flooding, collapsed building and widespread blackouts).
It was on this (remarkably wet) day that me and my team set out on a road trip to photograph my latest girl-crush, Elise Pioch.
Home for Elise is The Church on the edge of the Colo River, around 2 hours out of Sydney.
Upon arriving (whilst shaking wet umbrellas, patting down fluffy hair and kicking off our muddy boots) we were instantly calmed and charmed in equal measure by the wonderful warm home that she, her husband, Pablo Chappell (of Chappelli Cycles) and their adorable little lady, Loulou have made here together.
As the wind howled and rain pelted the windows, we sat around their kitchen table, chatting about everything from Canadian shoe designers to rain water tanks, all whilst sipping Elise’s signature lemon and thyme tea and nibbling on local strawberries.
Born in the south of France, Elise worked in Paris (for Hermès and Martin Margiela) before deciding to make the move to Australia 10 years ago, where she continued working in fashion (as a buyer for Belinda and The Corner Store).
It was 3 years ago however that she decided to try something new, launching the most exquisite collection of handmade, perfumed candles, Maison Balzac that have been so well received that they can now be found in the all the best boutiques around the world.
Want to take a little peek inside Elise’s home too?
Follow the link below for my profile on Elise and all the pics from our shoot…
5 words to describe my style are… androgynous, minimal, french, black and comfortable.
My go-to outfit is… my Yves Salomon fur vest, a 2LYNANDTONY neckpiece, Bassike marle grey tees, R13 black denim jeans and a pair of Marni ‘Fussbet’ sandals.
On the top of my wish list is… the entire Dries Van Noten collection.
Heels or flats? max 7cm heels… or flats.
The best (fashion) lesson I’ve learnt is… you have to feel comfortable in your outfit otherwise you are going to move and look awkward!
My most recent fashion purchase is… a pair of Doc Martens sandals! I didn’t even know they did other shoes aside from the famous boots!
I keep buying more…Cos everything, grey cashmere jumpers, Marni shoes and Gary Bigeni shirts and dresses.
I need more… dresses!
I wish I’d never bought… I buy rarely but surely and so it’s very rare when I regret buying things.
If I could only keep 3 things in my wardrobe, they would be… my Hermès sleeveless cashmere coat, my Dries Van Noten printed coat (worn as my wedding dress) and my R13 black denim jeans.
My favourite labels are…Comme des Garcons, Dries Van Noten, Marni, Isabel Marant, Cos, Ellery, Maison Margiela, Gary Bigeni.
My favourite online shops are…MyChameleon.com.au and THEOUTNET.COM
I always feel happy when I wear… dark clothes with a masculine edge.
I wish I’d never got rid of… a Scanlan & Theodore silk nude tutu skirt that would be so perfect right now.
Any outfit looks better with… a necklace or red lipstick.
Is it better to be overdressed or underdressed? Always overdressed!
Lipstick or gloss? Red Lipstick (my favourite colour is New York Red by Chanel)
Coffee or tea? None of these! I find them too strong. I drink water with lemon juice.
I could happily live the rest of my life without seeing another… Instagram post.
SHOP HER STYLE
1. Miss KK x Jerome C. Rousseau pumps, $595
2. Maison Balzac ’Etrangete’ perfumed candle, $65
3. Maison Balzac ’1642’ perfumed candle, $59
4. Sunday Somewhere ‘Kiteys’ sunglasses, £90
5. 2LYNANDTONY ‘Nebula’ quartz crystal neckpiece, $682
7. Gary Bigeni ‘Perkins’ dress, $389.99
8. Dr. Martens ‘Leonie’ shoes, $115
Photography: Rachel Kara
Styling: Inez Garcia
Hair and makeup: Danielle Butcher
Olympia Le Tan clutch (number 6 out of 25!) and leather covered Ray Ban sunglasses ('the only pair I haven't lost")
"It felt amazing to rescue this Moschino Chic trench coat from a second hand store in Paddington. It has a very unusual shape and when I wear it, people stop me to ask who the designer is. It's a head turner!" 3.1 Phillip Lim bag, Hermès riding boots, Dries Van Noten heels.
'My husband, Pablo designs bicycles under his own brand, Chappelli. At home we have a Chappelli custom 'Gentleman's Fishing Bike' and a vintage French Gitane from 1976 which I have painted myself in pistachio green!"
Elise and Loulou
"Jerome Rousseau is an amazing Canadian shoe designer whose creations are all spectacular".
"A souvenir from my Hermès years in Paris. This equestrian bag in grained leather
is the perfect day bag that keeps you hands free and forces me to take the bare minimum"
"This top was part of the 2012 Marni/Edition collection.
It's more than a top, it's a children's book, a dream, something to frame one day..."
R.M Williams riding boots, Marni 'Fussbet' sandals... "I can confirm that these are the most comfortable shoes on earth".
"Another Marni/Edition piece. This silk dress captures the essence of the brand with its bold, 70's style print and relaxed, androgynous cut. I wear this 4 days a week in summer :)"
Elise, Loulou and Pablo.
"L'Osbscurite is my current favourite candle in the Maison Balzac collection. It smells like burnt wood and warms up our church/home during winter"
"I got married in this Dries Van Noten coat from their AW12 collection. It means so much to me... and these super fun sunglasses are from Sunday Somewhere, a Sydney based label whose aesthetic is so cool and understated (except the colour!)"
"I found these paper flowers in a Mexican shop on Gertrude Street, Melbourne. They are huge and fun and never fade away!"
"5 words to describe my style are... androgynous, minimal, french, black and comfortable"
Dries Van Noten wedge heels.
Christopher Kane lace dress. "This is the original enamel sign that came with the church. How lucky we are to own this piece of history!"
The Church
'This is our number #1 selling candle, created in collaboration with Doctor Lisa Cooper, Sydney based artist and florist. The fact is was inspired by a painting from 1642 seems to charm people from all over the world as it's sold in NY, Paris, South Korea and Berlin"
Yves Salomon fur vest, COS shirt, Superfine jeans, COS socks, Dr Martens sandals.
SHOP HER STYLE-
Australian quartz crystal and kangaroo leather necklace by 2LYNANDTONY, Stella McCartney jumpsuit.
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