Free as...
The Jane collection is freedom with a capital J and spontaneous femininity that defies cliché.
Like Jane Birkin, from whom it was inspired, we went to meet three of our Belles Heroines whose life paths make them accomplished women who embody this free spirit.
Women's empowerment, life paths, commitments and convictions, discover three personalities who share with us their vision of freedom and their view of the Jane collection. Interviews with Julia Daka, Adeline Rapon and Alice Pilate.
You have made a choice to commit to yourself, or to others. Can you tell us more?
Julia:
Model, architect and philanthropist.
"I created the Sadaka association for underprivileged children in East Africa and the Indian Ocean, in order to give them that creative spark that I knew as a child. Its goal is simple: to offer new cultural, educational and social perspectives to thousands of isolated and out-of-school children."
Adeline:
Activist photographer, influencer and author of the comic book "Ébouriffant.e.s".
"Afrofeminism has a huge place in my life, my work, my interactions, and my collaborative choices because it includes me. It's hard to consider that we've gained anything if we don't take other minorities into account."
Fanm Fô: A series of self-portraits exploring the identities of Caribbean women. In Creole, “Fanm Fô” means "strong woman".
At 27 years old, you have just started your own business. What made you do it?
Alice:
Businesswoman and pilates instructor
"I wanted to be independent by freelancing. Having time for myself then allows me to give of myself to others. Teaching offers me a real exchange with my clients, an exchange of energy and I think that's great."
Already at a very young age, you managed to emancipate yourself by making your own way. Can you tell us about your journey?
Julia
"I have a pretty intense journey. I clung to get out of a violent life on the island of Mayotte and Reunion. It was my passion for architecture that saved me, the day an art teacher gave me a book on 20th century architects.
Thanks to modeling, I was able to go to Paris and pass an interview in an architecture school. Today, I've realized my dream of being an architect."
To live without worrying about other people's looks, to reconnect with your body... How did you get there and what place does it have in your daily life?
Alice:
Being in tune with yourself
"I think that the day you manage to find what inspires you, what makes you happy, a little goal, you find your harmony between you and your body. I found it with my job and my passion. It's all about balance."
Adeline:
Breaking the taboo of female hair growth
"I never understood why I was waxing. It left marks on my black skin. I couldn't see the positive side of it except for "being prettier for others". I was fascinated by the erotic pictures of the 20's where you can see the hair. Aesthetically, I like the hair. My comic book "Ébouriffant.e.s" was to laugh at this joyful theme and put a look where there is love."
In general, what makes you feel free?
What does the Jane collection remind you of? How did you feel about it when you wore it?
Adeline:
"What I loved about Jane is the raw aspect which is very interesting because there is both something in the roundness, in the softness, but also in the preciousness with the fact that it is polished and shiny. There's a very subtle je-ne-sais-quoi to this collection."
Julia:
"Jane makes me think of a lot of softness, a well-balanced masculine/feminine. I wear a lot of rings and I was immediately comfortable with the ones in the Jane collection."
Alice:
"Jane inspires me something very feminine, very elegant and above all very refined."
Discover all the jewels of the Jane collection
Julia's favorite jewel
"I had a little crush on the large earrings, they look quite similar to an African earring."
Alice's favorite jewel
"I have the double ring and you can see that it's a technical jewelry but it's still suitable for everyday wear, that you can wear night and day. I also like the 'arrow' aspect of it, this endless side inspires me to be free."
Adeline's favorite jewels
"With the Jane ring, I feel like we grabbed the material, felt like throwing it all on the floor, and then then thought we'd take it all back and make it into something beautiful."