Frankly Speaking With Caroline De Maigret

She’s the Chanel muse who’s so much more than a model. The queen of Parisian style, mother of one and author, 42, lets Jackie Frank in on her life beyond the catwalk.

JACKIE FRANK: You’ve had a wonderful, long career. What have been some of your highlights?

CAROLINE DE MAIGRET: My book [How To Be Parisian Wherever You Are] was important because it was about my personality and my friends. So it was nice to be celebrated for the way I see things. I am writing my second book right now, it’s actually almost finished.

JF: Even though it was light-hearted, the book was also very personal.

CDM: I wanted it to be really accessible but also have a feminist message about taking care of your own life and being responsible for yourself.

JF: Today, more than ever, we are seeing how important that is for women.

CDM: I think today everyone realises that we are all responsible for what’s happening. We’re all citizens and we need to stand up all the time. We need to teach our family, but also our neighbours, that changes can only happen if you invest yourself. Be the change you want to see in the world.

JF: Right. You came from a very political household. Do you think that has shaped you?

CDM: In the way that I know how much [political success] is only about power and money, not about the people. So I believe in the work of NGOs more than anything else.

JF: You have an association with the UN. What do you hope to achieve with that?