If it seems like you’re seeing Lucy Folk’s playful yet artistic designs on everything and everyone lately (Beyonce is a fan, no biggie), you certainly aren’t wrong. From embellished hair accessories to fine gold jewellery, beaded handbags and beyond, Lucy’s aesthetic is as diverse as it is highly covetable, and with good reason...
The Paris-based Aussie designer leads a charmed life that combines a lot of hard work (“I don’t really ever stop working. Australia wakes up when I am going to bed in Paris so it is a very long day!”) with a hefty dose of joie de vivre, and the results speak for themselves with an ever-growing collection that goes from strength to strength each season. We caught up with the matcha-smoothie loving creative director to see what a day in her life entails, and not surprisingly, we’ve fallen a little bit more in love with the brand and the woman behind it. Ready to put your feet in Lucy’s well-clad shoes for a day? Let’s go. Go to www.lucyfolk.com
I wake up at 8am in Paris...
I usually jump out of bed as I have calls with my team in Australia the minute I wake up. I have one hour with Australia before the work day ends, so I have to check emails and social media as soon as I wake. From 10am, I have yoga, and then I shower and get ready for the day and make my famous matcha smoothie (1 large handful of organic spinach, ¼ organic avocado, a fresh coconut – add 3/4 of the water and some flesh – 1 large tablespoon hemp seeds, 1 teaspoon mace powder, 1 teaspoon matcha powder, 1 teaspoon Yin Powder by Sun Potions). I have this smoothie every day. It’s the one thing I do consistently that makes me feel grounded and gives me the energy I need to start my day. It takes me until at least 11:30 to leave the house. If I have a lot on, I hardly leave!
I use Jojoba oil in the shower...
Followed by Dermo Protective Oil – both by Santa Maria Novella. As a cleanser, I use Dermaquest Stem Cell 3D and then tone with Cosmedix Purity Balance. I also add a serum – Dermaquest Peptide Vitality, with a skin brightening complex – SkinMedica Lytera – for my pigmentation. I moisturise with Société Skin Hydration Complex and always finish with Byredo Gypsy Water fragrance. I like The Beauty Chef products too, I have just started using the Collagen Inner Beauty Boost mixed with the Glow Inner Beauty Powder. I also love their Hydration Elixir and find this good when I am on the road.
In terms of clothing, I wouldn’t say I’m understated and I don’t ever plan my outfits...
I wear a white T-shirt with some sort of festive bottom. I like to be comfortable. I live in my white boilersuit, too. I prefer to wear my own apparel. I am not so speedy in the getting dressed department. If I leave the house and don’t like my outfit, I will change when I return. Sneakers or flats are my go-to and I like a fluffy shoe in winter. I have statement coats in many colours and I always choose sunglasses to go with my outfit. I add a hat to the mix if it’s sunny and wear a lot of jewellery – 16 pieces core! 7 rings, 4 cuffs, a necklace, 4 earrings… my hairband is always on my wrist.
I practice yoga everyday when possible...
I walk everywhere in Paris, I clocked 22kms a few days in a row recently which was a record! I snack on activated nuts, ha! My favourites are from the Larder in Bronte. I bring them back from Sydney with me (shhhhhhh!). I am particularly fond of their macadamias! I also have a green tea to keep me going. My apartment doubles as a hotel, I have guests the majority of the time. I think since I have been living in Paris, I have spent around two months alone only! It’s an operation. I am constantly cleaning but I have a cleaner, too. I happily pay for a cleaner as I prefer to spend my time working on the important stuff.
My inbox is catastrophic...
My staff have anxiety when they see it. I don’t file or delete anything and I seem to be cc’ed on pretty much everything! I do flag important things. I prefer doing business over the phone or face to face. I find emails waste time. I don’t really have any time management tips, to be honest. I work when I work and I rest when I rest. My day can change at the drop of a hat and I like to be flexible to allow for any curve balls. I am reactive! I prefer to work long days on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday so I can relax a little more on a Thursday and Friday. I like to go away on the weekends and try not to work.
In Paris I eat at Le Stand in the Marche Enfants Rouge, or Nanashi or Wild and the Moon...
I keep it clean, local and healthy mostly. I also shop at the Bio Market on Boulevard Raspail on a Sunday so often I will prepare a salad at home. I am actually flying to Positano for a very fun party weekend hosted by Le Sirenuse and I am hoping I will have time to eat at Da Adolfo this afternoon! It’s my favourite! A lot happens when Australia is asleep, I can focus on what I need to do in Europe. I like to leave the house and go for a walk or see an exhibition… if I can leave my laptop. I need to be continually inspired and there are too many galleries in Paris to even be able to visit one every day! When hosting guests, I will often take them for lunch.
I have an incredible team that I am very proud of who keep the wheels going at full speed...
We have grown a lot in the last 18 months. Managing staff is the hardest part of the business. I have recently employed a CEO which I am excited about. I don’t really ever stop working. Australia wakes up when I am going to bed in Paris so it is a very long day! I obviously love what I do. I chose to live in Paris and I need to be available for Australia. I don’t think I have ever worked harder than I have this year. There is a lot on the line. I am responsible for this ship and it needs to bloody sail the high seas!
At the moment I am eating a lot of veggies and fish for dinner...
If I head to a brasserie I will have a steak. I refrain from eating carbs at night, although the bread basket can stare me down and often it wins, pending the butter situation. Paris isn’t great for the waistline, but it sure is fun! I do yoga and go out with friends to unwind. Going to the beach and swimming in the sea is when I am the most relaxed. I am very much looking forward to my holidays this year, it feels like I haven’t drawn breath! I would also like to get back into my meditation practice.
I usually go to bed at around 10:30pm at the earliest and 12:30am at the latest on a school night...
Ideally, I like to sleep for eight hours, but I find it hard to say no to things and I certainly like to have fun so sometimes I pay the price for the lack of sleep. I’ll work at night if I’m alone, but if I have guests I will happily take the evening off and go for dinner. I shower before bed and use a charcoal coconut soap, and I also have a body oil called Sunset Oil that I apply at night. I double cleanse, tone and I finish off with a special cream by Elaine Huntzinger who is my legendary acupuncturist in Paris. I spray This Works Deep Sleep Spray on my pillow to ease me into a slumber!