THE GRAND DAME

Between freedom of choice and grounded reality, Belgian designer Isla Maria Van Damme is busy living in the moment and wants women to follow suit.

- SHIVPRIYA BAJPAI

I wake up early on a Saturday morning, partly whining about the hectic work week I have had earlier, to get on a telephonic chat with Isla Maria Van Damme or fondly known by her sobriquet, Loulou, to many. Barely 30 seconds into the call and she refers to me as “darling”, and sounds more enthusiastic than I have ever been in my 37 years of existence (not an exaggeration). Loulou is 79, a free-spirited designer, stylist, and hotelier, who has no plans of retiring from work anytime soon.

What keeps her going? It’s the first thing I ask. “It’s just my willpower,” she laughs out loud and adds, “I have not been well the past month, but I still work. I usually wake up at 6 AM, visit the flower market, and get on with my day. Even if I don’t get a good night’s sleep at this age, I still work the next day. If I feel like doing something, I put all my troubles aside and just show up,” she smiles.