"I've had meetings that will mark me all my life"

How did you come to this adventure?

Élie Séonnet, the director, contacted me and explained his idea. I immediately hung. I had already been proposed television projects but it did not really correspond to me. I wanted a subject that speaks to me. There, I had to play a little the role of journalist, it was a bet but I started because I love both Africa and fashion. The subject was interesting

How did you relate to this fabric?

My mother is Beninese and she wore it when I was younger at home. I also saw them when we were leaving for Benin, so he had a strong relationship with Africa for me. I have always loved this fabric but I did not wear it often. I started to wear it three or four years ago, there is such freedom with this fabric, you can have fun with it, it comes in all ways.

How was the filming done?

It was super rewarding. We went to Ivory Coast, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Senegal … I loved it! If the days were long and we were shooting a lot, every night I went to bed having learned new things. I made meetings that will mark me all my life. It was a unique experience.

You had to do interviews …

I dreaded a lot because I used to be interviewed but not the other way around. It was quite complicated at first because, in my questions, I gave the answers! I then tried to ask short, clear and very open questions to have maximum content. The director left me a lot of freedom, it was nice. I really like fashion so I had a lot of questions to ask and so I went into a very simple exchange.

Small, you wanted to be stylist, did that make you want again?

Huely ! I asked the creators a lot that I interviewed how they started. Since I was little, I draw. I studied international trade and I said to myself, we'll see if one day I deviate towards creation. There, the desire has returned. I started drawing again. I think this year, I will start working on a collection first to please myself and then, if it works, I'll see how to develop it.

What would be your style?

I would like to make high-waisted trousers that can go both big and small, which is not easy. I would like the fact that the outfits can go to everyone is part of the identity of the brand. I love tailors that I find very elegant for women and I would like to decline in a thousand and one ways, I love the body because it's convenient. I would like to make elegant but practice.

Will there be other documentaries like this?

I wish it to the director who has talent. e I'm ready to follow him on other adventures. I did not even feel like working. There is still a lot to explore in African traditions and fashion, it's a great way to put Africa on the map. We often talk about complicated or difficult subjects and we sometimes have a slightly negative image of the continent, there is its joyful, festive and friendly side that is put forward. Africa is full of treasures that deserve to be known to all. I'll see with the director if I can negotiate a Wax in the city 2!

Is it difficult to reconvert when we were Miss France?

Miss France is a great adventure but it's not a job. I then resumed my studies in international business, I had my diploma. As we touch everything when we are Miss France and it opens us various doors and we want to discover new things, it's complicated to sort the proposals that we receive. But, the hardest thing is always having to prove itself as a former Miss France, regardless of the environment in which we go. It's complicated because you have to do it as a working woman, but also, as far as I'm concerned, as a Métis … But it does not matter, I'm determined and when I a goal, I go for it.