In the bathroom of Chrysoline de Gastines, founder of Balzac

"In 2011, Balzac Paris was all about bespoke bow ties made in France. We were pursuing this entrepreneurial adventure in parallel with our jobs at the time! Charles and Victorien and I quickly became passionate about this adventure, which put the customer at the heart of our creative process! It also made us realize that customers wanted to buy differently, they wanted to be part of a community, adhere to strong values and a singular aesthetic. In 2014, Charles and I left our jobs to embark on the Balzac Paris adventure full-time! We're self-taught, with strong convictions and few preconceived ideas. That's our strength, as we write the outline of this new chapter: Balzac Paris will be a desirable, responsible brand offering women's clothing exclusively on the web. Our authenticity, our values and our collections are attracting many customers who love our "tradibarge" DNA. The adventure is underway, and we're opening our first boutique in 2021 to continue this digital adventure in retail with locations that reflect us and the brand's aesthetic universe, awakening all our customers' senses!"

"As mentioned earlier, Balzac Paris has a "tradibarge" DNA, which means that we imagine creations designed to last, with quality fabrics and well-considered cuts that stand the test of seasons and years, but that all our garments and accessories have an extra soul. That little "je ne sais quoi" à la Balzac that makes the brand unique and authentic. That's how leopard patterns and stripes have become so representative of who we are, just like the Victorian collars and fringed jackets we recognize among 1,000 on the street!"

"It's a difficult question in this age of RS that we're all confronted with. Filters that smooth out facial features and certain diktats that remain firmly entrenched. But there's no substitute for a beautiful smile and an open, caring face. I like natural, unadorned beauty... someone who feels good about herself, her body and therefore her shoes! I'm sensitive to beauty, but it's all very subjective. "We're all someone's beauty" and it works the other way round too ;)."

"We've lived in Paris for over 18 years. It's an exceptional city, there aren't 2 like it. It's exhilarating to wander the streets of Paris and see the bustle and life there! I loved raising my three children as little Parisians, roaming the sidewalks, the parks of the 9th and 10th arrondissements, the exhibitions and the cafés... We'd always known we were going back to Lille, the question was when? Then Georges came along, and with 4 children, the desire for more green, a gentler life with more peace and quiet was felt. It was only natural to go back to our roots, as the people of Lille who read this will understand! And for any Parisians wondering, the weather in Lille is the same as in Paris, just 2 degrees cooler ;). And since Balzac's offices are in Paris, I'm back there three days a week, which gives me a taste of Parisian excitement and means I haven't cut the Cord completely!"

Here are my favorite places in Lille and Paris to get a massage or facial:

• Chez Alix de Paume

• Chez Marie Peloille

• Teresa who comes to your home. 

• Charlotte Muller and her studio!

• Spa Alaena for body massages

And in Lille :

• At Oh My Cream of course

• Liberté Justine!

• At my friend Alison's, who hasn't opened her practice yet, but will soon.

• At Seasonly!

And on the net, Clarisse Ernoux, whose simple, effective routine I love.