Interview with Emilie Crickx, founder of Rhodée

Can you introduce yourself?

My name is Emilie, I live in Brussels. I'm 29 years old. I'm the co-founder of Rhodée, a swimwear brand I co-founded with my best friend Valentine Witmeur. And on the side, I also do styling and a bit of art direction for shoots and brands. And I also work with my mom in a boutique near Brussels, Pimprenelle Concept Store, which sells several women's ready-to-wear brands.

How did the Rhodée brand come into being?

We really wanted to create a brand together. It was a project that had been close to my heart since I was a little girl: creating a clothing brand. I knew I wanted to team up with Valentine, because she's my best friend, but above all because we complement each other so well, we get on really well and we knew we'd get on well together. As Valentine already has her own brand of sweaters and ready-to-wear, we knew we didn't want to compete with each other. Swimwear came naturally. With Rhodée, we really wanted the swimsuit to be the key element of the outfit, a piece that you could put on in the morning and add a skirt or pants without needing to change during the day. The idea was to have strong, colorful pieces. We love colors and prints, but we felt that the swimwear world was lacking in patterns that were a change from liberty and stripes... We wanted to create our own prints, and we found a way to do it.

How would you describe the brand's style?

The eco-responsibility dimension was very important to us, because we didn't want to be"just another polluter on the planet". It was inconceivable for us to launch a swimwear brand, which historically hasn't been the most responsible piece, without this eco-responsibility and respect for the environment but also for people. Our swimwear is made in Portugal from polyester created from recycled plastic bottles.

They're made to last a long time in your wardrobe, both in terms of fabrication and style, because we wanted to create prints that are strong but timeless. Another feature is that all our swimwear is sheathing. This was also important to us, as we target women of all ages and shapes, including young mothers. We want them to feel totally comfortable in our swimwear.

We imagine that your home, which seems to be a veritable haven of peace, must play a role in your well-being...

This was a request I made to the architects when we renovated the house. I work a lot and don't go on vacation much, so I need to feel really at home, to feel good all year round, even when the weather's not so good... I wanted a house that would take us on vacation. It's very pink, very colorful, very warm and cozy in winter. And in summer, there's so much light coming in, there's a really incredible play of light. It's very important because it allows me to spend time here peacefully and really enjoy my home with my son.

What's your vision of beauty?

I have a fairly minimalist routine. I'm lucky enough to have uncomplicated skin, so I keep things simple. I remove my make-up, apply a moisturizer... I do the bare minimum and try to use mainly organic or natural cosmetics.

What are your skincare essentials?

To remove my makeup, I love theCleansing Oil Oh My Cream Skincare. You gave it to me as a gift and I keep buying it. In fact, I'm a big fan of the whole Oh My Cream Skincare range! I have your Plumping Oil Oh My Cream Skincare, which I sometimes alternate with a facial oil from a make-up artist friend's Aloïse brand. I also really like the duo Plumping Cream and Plumping Serum in The Socialite Family x Oh My Cream Advent Calendar. I also have the Super Natural Radiance Tinted Serum SPF30 RMS Beauty and I love the Mega Plump Talm when my skin's really on edge.

For make-up, I love the Multi Stick Multi Stick. I find them super practical. The All of Me shade is the one I wear every day, and I have Cosmic Dancer as a highlighter. I also really like the Impossible Glow Pai Skincare as a touch of radiance under an oil or cream. And for me, the Limitless Lash Lengthening Mascara Ilia is really the best mascara.

What's the best beauty tip you've ever been given?

It comes from your founder Juliette Levy Cohen! I met her at an event at the opening of the Oh My Cream boutiques in Brussels. After my pregnancy, brown spots appeared on my face, even though I always protect my face from the sun. She advised me to try the products in the Anti-Spot Set Patyka to attenuate the spots with an anti-spot serum and prevent them with an SPF. I have to admit that it worked, as my spots are less visible!

You were lucky enough to receive our Advent Calendar. Have you cracked open the boxes yet?

Yes... But I haven't tested everything yet, because there are so many products. In any case, the box is really beautiful and there was really everything in it. One product that I was really happy to find and that I now take everywhere is the Lip Balm L:a Bruket. I really do use it all the time, because in winter it's often complicated with my lips... The Mega Water Talm was in the first box I think, I love it! I was also very happy to have the Multi Stick Ilia. It's not the shade I use most, but I love it in winter. There were lots of things I didn't know about but can't wait to try out, like the Guava Rescue Heat & UV Protective Spray which must be really good for summer, the Lip Cream Tata Harper, Tbe Rich Cream Augustinus Bader...

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