Conversation : Zita d'Hauteville

Zita d’Hauteville in a special Louis Vuitton SS24 photographed by Agata Pospieszynska

Jalis Vienne : Hello Zita. I’m delighted that you took up our invitation to be on the cover of this issue. How did you find the day of shoot with us?

Zita d’Hauteville : Thank you for trusting me! It was a real creative pleasure to take part in this shoot, to imagine this story for the magazine.

J.V : As a model, how do you perceive the shooting days? Do you feel like an actress playing different roles?

Z.D’H : I started modeling very early on, at the age of 15. My approach to shoot days has evolved, but there’s always an element of curiosity about the character I’ll be playing that day. I see myself as a multi-faceted actress and I enjoy these paradoxes.

J.V : We produced this series of photos in partnership with Louis Vuitton. What is your experience of the brand and how do you see the Louis Vuitton woman as imagined by Nicolas Ghesquière?

Z.D’H : I find the history of the company’s travels absolutely fascinating. For me, Nicolas Ghesquière’s LV woman is avant-garde with a retro-futuristic touch; she inspires independence and confidence. I particularly enjoyed working with the Tambour watch, which is unisex and complements the collection perfectly.

J.V : When it comes to elegance and style, how would you define it?

Z.D’H : Elegance isn’t just a question of clothes, it’s a mindset. It manifests itself in the way you welcome people, express gratitude and in everyday gestures. For me, style is the art of combining simple, well-cut clothes with unexpected, sculptural pieces.

J.V : Which aspect of the fashion industry are you most passionate about?

Z.D’H : What excites me is the opportunity to play different characters on a daily basis. I like to incorporate costume references into my outfits and I’m a keen observer of cosplay trends, which I find fascinating.

J.V : Where do you draw your eye from to keep your creativity and inspiration flowing?

Z.D’H : My inspirations are centered around nature, travel and animals. I also draw a lot of inspiration from museums, where I’m captured by the collections of antique jewelry and historical outfits. In the end, curiosity remains the most powerful source of creativity.

J.V : With a large presence on social media and a successful career at Google & youtube, what’s your perspective on the influence of theses new media ?

Z.D’H : After working at Google for nearly five years, I now manage the YouTube creator community in France, a programme designed to help content creators develop on the platform. For me, social networks are the pioneers of innovative careers and serve as a lift for new ideas.

J.V : Do you think that these new media help to drive forward trends, or do you think that they lead to a loss of prestige?

Z.D’H : I think the new media are democratizing fashion and integrating it with other worlds, such as culture, art and cuisine. They also serve as vital platforms for archives, preserving historical epochs and their important influence on fashion.

J.V : How do you combine your public image with your career?

Z.D’H : The two are very closely linked, but I try to mentally divide my working time between my different roles. My career in technology remains my priority.

J.V : You have a very busy schedule. Do you have any routines for relaxing, and how do you balance your professional and personal lives?

Z.D’H : I’m very organized, hyperactive and proactive. I sometimes find it hard to find the time, but long walks with my two dogs are the best way to relax.

J.V : Your attachment to your family seems strong. What do these family values bring to your daily life?

Z.D’H : Family is very important to me. Being Franco-Belgian, I was brought up with French flair and Belgian folklore! My grandmother is my best friend, my mother my confidant and my father my guide. I want to be the same for my little brothers that I adore.

J.V : Let’s chat a little about our beautiful country. Do you have a special connection with Paris?

Z.D’H : I grew up in Paris, went away to boarding school when I was 15, then studied in England, and finally started my career at Google in Dublin. I’ve only recently been back to Paris, and what I cherish most are the fantastic exhibitions and the fact that you can do almost everything walking!

J.V : Are you excited about the approach of the Olympic Games and what positive spin-offs do you foresee ?

Z.D’H : I’m really looking forward to the Olympic Games. It’s an incredible opportunity to bring together the sports and luxury industries, both of which share the pursuit of perfection. It’s also a time for the nation to come together and celebrate.

J.V : What do you admire about French craftsmanship and how can it be integrated into our daily lives?

Z.D’H : I really admire French craftsmanship and traditions. Journée Portes Ouvertes are a great way of making these passionate crafts more accessible, helping people to appreciate the meticulous processes involved in creating beautiful products.

J.V : Outside France, do you have any other favourite cities, and if so, why?

Z.D’H : I have a great affection for London, which not only enabled me to get my computer science degrees, but also gave me some of my most happy-go- lucky years.

J.V : What is your relationship with travel in general?

Z.D’H : Travel has been a constant in my life since childhood, and during my time at boarding school I used to travel by train three times a week. I’m very accustomed to living out of suitcases and I have an infallible method for not forgetting anything: a body scan, from head to toe, with a list of everything needed for each part.

J.V : Can you share a travel experience that has particularly inspired you in your journey or your creativity?

Z.D’H : My father used to take me to China to visit his suppliers, where I learned a lot about the supply chain, purchasing, negotiations and product development. We often visited the Canton Fair in Guangzhou, which is an important channel for Chinese export trade.

J.V : Still on the theme of traveling, are there any personalities or artists who inspire you on a daily basis and take you on a ‘voyage’ through their body of work?

Z.D’H : Hayao Miyazaki’s films are a great source of peace and inspiration. I’ve cherished them since childhood and even travelled to Nagoya in Japan to immerse myself in the world of Studio Ghibli Park.

J.V : What is your relationship with art? What form of artistic expression do you feel closest to?

Z.D’H : The art I appreciate has to be immersive, fantastic or colourful. I admire works like The Birth of Venus, Miro’s sculptures, Pre-Raphaelite paintings and Surrealists like Dalí and Magritte.

J.V : Do you have any favourite museums or galleries?

Z.D’H : I like to visit Giverny, where Monet lives, to admire the ponds and gardens that inspired him. The Palais de Tokyo is also a favourite for its ever more immersive and surprising exhibitions.

J.V : To conclude our conversation, we like to ask all our guests: what is your own personal definition of luxury?

Z.D’H : For me, accessible exclusivity defines luxury. Whether it’s buying beautiful pieces in a boutique or second-hand, luxury is about objects that you cherish and pass on to others. Luxury is also about past or dreamed stories that come alive through the sale of an object and its history.

Entretien jalis vienne