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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Do you have any specific projects with Guerlain that you hold near and dear to your heart?
I’m currently reworking an iconic product from the maison, which I can't talk too much about yet. My favourite so far is the Floral Denim collection because the entire creative process was such an haute couture way of working. It was exciting to be able to achieve that level of excellence and that’s where I feel we are going with Guerlain.
What's in the pipeline?
I’m looking at the launch calendar now. There are tons of products coming out. Right now, we’re focusing on having incredible essentials and trying to add to the core line-up of the brand, which includes updating formulas and packaging. Then, we are going into a new phase of the brand where we can be more innovative and start having fun.
"There needs to be a lot more progress in how we’re supporting mothers in the workplace."
By - Violette Serrat
With so much on your plate, how do you balance motherhood and your career?
The key is to acknowledge that women need more support. It can be challenging carrying a baby, recovering from delivery, breastfeeding, and taking care of a newborn. There’s a physical aspect that we have to go through. We have to stop pretending that it doesn’t exist.
When I was pregnant, I had zero problem saying, “Okay, I’m tired. I need to do less work today. I need water around. This is my condition and I need support.”
During postpartum, it can be tough, especially if you have your own business. My kid was born with an allergy to milk, she was crying all the time. I had to find a solution and I had no space in my head for anything other than that. Even right now, I don’t sleep through the night and when I’m exhausted, I say it. I want other women to feel comfortable enough to do the same.
It’s important to be respectful of your own condition and vocalise it. There needs to be a lot more progress in how we’re supporting mothers in the workplace. We’re definitely not there yet but I believe very strongly that as long as everyone remains professional, we should continue to talk about it, ask for the support we deserve, and not feel guilty about it.
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