6AM. Monday Morning. Misty and cold, and I'm in the middle of Paris. Our producer, Jean is downstairs with an eight seater van, and I hear utterings of what seemed like the most exquisite sounding conversation with our Parisian makeup artist, Cyril. Twenty five hours of travel time from Australia, we are jetlagged, and hungry, but we are more than ready for the innate magic of France to steal our hearts.
I am with my dream team from Australia – my boyfriend and business partner, Rob, and Brydie Mack of Wolfcub Chronicles, who I am sure needs no introduction but is one of my favourite photographers of all time and one of the sweetest and funniest people you will ever meet.
It took us four trips down this micro-sized lift to get all our gear down. Props, two suitcases full of clothes for styling, camera gear, video equipment, art supplies and everything in between.
Once Caroline and Fred arrive, we set off and journey out towards Chevreuse, to an architectural marvel, about 40 km from the centre of Paris. But not before a boulangerie pitstop, where we struggle with the indecision of which delight we were about to voraciously consume in a minute. “One of the best in town,” Jean assures us. We don’t doubt that. If you’ve ever been to France, you will understand just how delectable everything inside those glorious gluten clad walls are.
As we drive through the Parisian centre, Jean and Cyril point out famous landmarks (like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe). The stone walls, the bright crimson roses spilling over the balconies that are sitting oh so peacefully. It was as if they carry a lifetime of stories to tell. We were in awe of the beauty. Everything is exquisite. Everything is tres magnifique!
We continue to drive for over an hour, passing through some of the most beautiful scenery that I have ever witnessed. Pristine Parisian countryside and an incredible enclave of crisp spring air. The verdant hedges and green fields of grass as far as the eye can see. Twiggy trees stood steadfast, stripped of their leaves.
And then - we were there.
We arrive at the driveway that was several hundred metres long, tucked and wrapped within the forest. We reach the house. A Utopia far greater than anything we could ever have imagined. The inherent beauty of this simpler life had to be seen and experienced with your own eyes – it was spectacular.
And lucky for you, here is the first behind the scenes look into our affair in the French countryside.
A French Lovestory.
Collection out next Wednesday, 19th April, 2017.
