The creator of the clothing brand Rouje and the actress who played Paloma Picasso in the mini-series Becoming Karl Lagerfeld - Jeanne Damas - talks about her role, her attitude towards fashion, and beauty secrets in an interview for L'Officiel Riviera Summer 2024.

L'OFFICIEL: What is your relationship with cinema? How would you describe the series "Becoming Karl Lagerfeld"?
Jeanne Damas: Cinema is my first love. I studied at Blanche Salant's theater school for three years. As classes were in the evening, I had a lot of free time during the day, and I often went to the cinema. I think actresses and films strongly influenced the creation of my brand Rouje's universe. Almod&oacute;var's heroines, the first films of Klapisch and Desplechin, Agn&egrave;s Varda and her Cleo. And of course, Adjani.
The series "Becoming Karl Lagerfeld" is very interesting as it shows the rise and development of a man who became a legend. We know today's Karl, but the series tells us about the earlier Karl, with his weaknesses and doubts, which in a way humanizes him. It's also a very inspiring series that immerses us in the fashion world of the 70s, at the beginning of the ready-to-wear era.
L'OFFICIEL: How did you work on the role of Paloma Picasso?
Jeanne Damas: I immersed myself in reading about 70s fashion, particularly the books "Beautiful People" and "Kaiser Karl". But I really felt the role when I started working on costumes with Pascaline Chavanne. I discovered a new profession, different from a stylist. It's more of a sociological and historical study of clothing. We read the script while trying on dresses to understand the character's actions and mood in the scene. It's a fascinating process.

L'OFFICIEL: You've become a kind of muse of contemporary fashion and an ambassador for your own brand. What has this role taught you?
Jeanne Damas: I've always worked this way with the clothes I create. Rouje is a brand of women creating for women, and this is an important aspect in understanding the brand's success. I create clothes that I want to wear every day, and naturally promote them for the brand in an authentic way. I really believe this is the key to Rouje's success.
L'OFFICIEL: You played alongside famous actors like Daniel Br&uuml;hl and Th&eacute;odore Pellerin. Tell us about the filming.
Jeanne Damas: I was very lucky to work with such a talented creative team. It was very supportive and inspiring. I knew some actors before filming, like Arnaud Valois or Claire Laffut, and I made friends with others during the work. There was a very pleasant atmosphere, especially considering that we were filming many party and restaurant scenes, so we had a lot of fun.

L'OFFICIEL: What do the 70s represent for you? Are you nostalgic for the past?
Jeanne Damas: I think we all have fantasies about that era: parties, the birth of fashion, freedom... but it remains a fantasy. I'm very comfortable in our time, as intense as it may be.
L'OFFICIEL: How do you develop collections for your brand Rouje?
Jeanne Damas: It always starts with a desire, an inspiration. The starting point is often a woman or a detail that inspired me. For example, costumes in a Pina Bausch ballet, the way a woman wears a trench coat on the street, an actress in a film or series, a photo of my mother in the 90s, or even playing the role of a fashion icon like Paloma Picasso. Then we discuss ideas with the style team, create moodboards, develop a color palette, and design prints. Then comes the search for materials and shapes, fittings. I often try on clothes myself because I need to wear them to understand if I like them or not. Finally comes the part I love - creating a story to bring the clothes to life and present them in photos or films.

L'OFFICIEL: What are your daily beauty rituals?
Jeanne Damas: I like makeup that enhances rather than conceals. I like to see small imperfections, skin texture, I don't like it when everything is too smooth. At Les Filles en Rouje, makeup is intuitive; it's there to add color and light. I created palettes that can be applied with fingers and colors mixed as desired. There are no rules, we're for "perfect imperfection". My biggest beauty secret comes from my mother: protect your skin from the sun with sunscreen all year round and don't expose yourself to the sun during dangerous hours.

L'OFFICIEL: What are your favorite places on the French Riviera?
Jeanne Damas: I love La Colombe d'Or, Les Roches Rouges, and in Saint-Paul-de-Vence - the Matisse Chapel, it's magnificent!

Photography: L&eacute;on Prost
Styling: Myssia Ghosn
Makeup: Sarah Saad
Hairstyle: Marc Orsatelli
Photography assistant: Virgile Biechy
Art Director: Jenny Mannerheim Styling Assistant: Justine Domejean
Acknowledgements: Jennifer Eym&egrave;re, Jurgen Lehrer
Series produced at the CH&Acirc;TEAU DE TH&Eacute;OULE
@CHATEAUDETHEOULE CHATEAU-DE-THEOULE.COM
More information about the brand
Rouje: rouje.com @rouje
To watch Becoming Karl Lagerfeld www.disneyplus.com

Jeanne Damas, Muse of the Riviera

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