SOLE POWER
CELEBRITIES HE’S INSPIRED BY: “People who are able to cross acting and dancing are my favorite. For instance, Zendaya, who started at an early age [as a Disney star], has been doing great things as sheʼs evolved from a child into a woman. You can see the change of mood, the change of attitude — this empowerment that comes from work and starting to know yourself more. I love that moment of transformation, and Iʼve been seeing it through her.” HIS OWN PERSONAL FOOTWEAR COLLECTION: “I only have about 400 pairs. Iʼve been saying that for a few years now, so itʼs probably 500. I rotate the same shoes in different colors. When I really love a shoe, I have it twice in black, twice in the color I favor in that specific style, and then two or three other combinations. When I order a shoe for me, I order seven pairs.” THE PERILS AND POSSIBILITIES OF SOCIAL MEDIA: “Itʼs sadly too powerful. My problem with the internet is fake news and how much you can manipulate. I hate that witchy thing, and how anonymous people can start to trash others and leave a lot of damage. As long as itʼs not the main education, itʼs OK, but if people start to narrow themselves based on what they see on Instagram, itʼs dangerous. On the opposite side, itʼs a platform that allows people that come from nowhere to express themselves and offer a point of view that is fresh and genuine.” BEING A FATHER OF YOUNG TWIN GIRLS: “It has changed everything. It also puts heritage into perspective — in terms of what the message is that you give your children through life. What is important versus what is less important? Iʼm very happy to see I have two daughters who are already very interested by people, by objects, by life. They ask me a lot of questions. They wake up with a huge smile every day of their lives. I see that they see when Iʼm happy — and if Iʼm trying to be the perfect father, itʼs almost boring to them. Itʼs been normal for me to be happy, thatʼs my nature, but itʼs also a mission to give that to my kids.” WHY BIGGER ISN’T ALWAYS BETTER: “When I travel, I always have a passion for small [objects] and paintings. Small things oblige people to go closer. If you look at a huge panel or painting, itʼs easy to impress. I like the fact that with a small painting you have to get more intimate with what you see. You have to get close so you engage yourself more.”