Garance Doré, 48, exploded her internet career in 2006, when she launched her fashion blog. This native of Corsica attracted the confidence of women by talking to them about clothes, beauty, everyday life, while sharing her illustrations of female silhouettes (which she also revealed in her book
Love Style Love
, published in 2015, which highlighted personalities). Although she has since closed this blog, which has become a business of around fifteen people in New York, she will not stop writing through her newsletter and drawing. Followed by 680,000 people on Instagram, Garance Doré created her beauty brand in the United States in 2022, with her long-time collaborator Emily Note. Sitting on a beige sofa, hair down, flared shirt, straight jeans and ballet flats, we met her at Galeries Lafayette, where she is officially launching her bottles of her favorite color, green, in France.
LE FIGARO. - What pushed you to create your beauty brand two years ago?
During my years of blogging, I have tested many cosmetic products which, when used one on top of the other, have damaged my skin. When I consulted a dermatologist, she made me realize that my dermis had ingested too many active ingredients and that I needed to go back to the basics, namely, a moisturizing cream. I have always liked very simple products like Nivea creams. But it took a silent retreat and much thought before Emily convinced me to start a brand. But she succeeded and we decided to bring a breath of modernity to existing creams, in particular by rethinking the formulations in a healthy, essential and affordable approach. We started for obvious strategic reasons in the United States, where I lived for years. Today, I am proud to launch my range in France, where it is formulated and manufactured, and in particular at Galeries Lafayette which are popular department stores accessible to all.
From left to right
, La Micellaire at €24, Le Cleanser at €26, La Crème at €36, Le Baume at €12. Golden
What do Americans, who remain your primary consumers, love so much about your so-called “French-style” beauty?
Americans have always harbored a fascination with our beauty, which they often characterize as “effortless.” This morning, for example, of all the women I saw in Paris, none had the ultra-shiny blow-dry that American women often wear. Somehow, they envy our more relaxed approach and the image of this French woman who doesn't like spending ten hours in front of her mirror. This is what they liked so much about my personality when I moved to their country. Our beauty is an art of living!
The public knows you as a fashion blogger. What were the reasons that pushed you to found a skincare label rather than a clothing label?
I have always worked with beauty brands. My clothing style has never changed. I like to keep my clothes as long as possible and have always been reluctant to use these replaceable and disposable textiles. In fashion, designers create and are pushed to constantly renew themselves. I would also be incapable of sharing so much creativity.