Madame Figaro.
– A wake-up time?
Dorothée Boissier
. – 7 a.m. I get ready in ten minutes – I don't put a huge emphasis on my appearance – and take my daughter to school. My luxury: sometimes stopping at the café.
The pitch of your position?
I am co-artistic director of the agency with Patrick, my husband. He designs, manages the projects and supports the creative team every day (around thirty people, including twenty architects and six furniture designers.) I devote myself to the development of our showroom, avenue Montaigne, to the scenography, to the furniture and, since last summer, to our new home accessories store, Les Choses. I am also the financial part of the company,
reporting
, HR and recruitment, even if we have a general manager.
Should we go back to the origin?
My father, whom I lost young, at 13, was the head of his own scientific research laboratory. He had a big influence on me, even if I understood it late. My stepfather, Christian de Galéa, with whom I lived from the age of 7, was an antiques dealer and collector. I had the chance to grow up surrounded by very beautiful things, which trained my eye. It was experienced in a discreet way: even today, I hate overbidding.
Obstacles on the road?
I do not see them. This is my temperament: I welcome complications, and I tell myself that there are always solutions.
Your journey accelerators?
The meeting with Patrick, at Christian Liaigre where I worked after leaving the Penninghen school (
from which she graduated in 1995, Editor's note.
) From the first day, I knew that I would be with him and that we would work together. Before that, we both had to learn. I joined Philippe Starck in 1998. An important school, because it leaves you with full responsibility for your projects. He sees you three times, every three months, then in situ. This confidence gives wings.
I welcome complications, and I tell myself that there are always solutions
Dorothée Boissier
Results to be given here and now?
10 million turnover for the past year, 20% growth for the design office, and also furniture publishing, exceptional projects all over the world – we are present in Great Britain, in the United States, Dubai, and France.
Who trusted you?
Patrick, every day – and vice versa. And our customers. The opening of the Baccarat Hotel in New York was a turning point. Like that of The Lana Residences hotel (Dorchester group), in Dubai, this year.
What is left for you to learn?
To be better. More attentive. More empathetic. I, who was so angry, hardened myself. I've had to learn how to let things slide, but it's still unnatural for me.
Our watchword: think far and different
Dorothée Boissier
Challenges for tomorrow?
Develop
retail
, and our activity in Asia (in Japan and perhaps in South Korea) as well as in Dubai. Our watchword: think far and different.
A word that defines you?
Move forward. It's my obsession, the word that keeps me alive.
A moment off, is it?
Read poetry, go listen to lectures at the Collège de France. And walk along the path of philosophy, in Kyoto.
Obstacles in my way? I do not see them
Dorothée Boissier
Your definition of influence?
From a stylistic point of view, I would say: be capable of choice. To choose an object and say: it is enough for me. It is the opposite of superficial, of accumulation. We should be able to be satisfied with a little beauty – and let it accompany us.