Femme sauvage France Bocognani
MAEVY Mouvement Libre has chosen to embody itself in a bold, free, unique and instinctive brand.
A DNA that gives way to a wild femininity, embodied by charming ambassadors selected for their talents and often unconventional career paths. Meet these modern-day amazons.
An explorer of new territories, with one foot in institutional communication and the other in social networks, the beautiful blonde in a hat, better known as Alabama Duel with her blog "Duel au Soleil", embraces her two faces and doesn't forget to evolve and adapt while staying true to her fundamentals, both down-to-earth and creative... Dual, happy, introspective and extroverted, a wild and organized woman!
Hello France, what does being a wild woman evoke for you today?
A free woman in the sense that she is emancipated, daring, self-reliant, needs others but is not dependent on anyone. I've always been told not to depend on a man. Which doesn't preclude loving them, living with them. Subconsciously, I've always been free, like an animal, one of those found in the savanna, the felines. I even embrace my lioness side, with my hair, which I don't style.
How does this aspect manifest itself in you?
For me, wildness stems from a duality between being extroverted and knowing and needing to protect myself, to hide, to keep things secret and mysterious. I choose what I share on social media, without any chronological order; I show the things I love. I created a blog, "Duel au soleil" (Duel in the Sun), 10 years ago to discuss a personal event: my separation. It was an evolution as a free woman, a desire to be recognized at that time, which went hand in hand with my love of writing and my choice of imagery inspired by literature, film, my emotions, and my experiences. I've always written, and recently I started a novel—it's another adventure. As for social media… it's often criticized, but it's a real way to engage with other worlds—artistic, professional, and for meeting people in the broadest sense. For me, it's all about balance between the need for professional stability and the need to create. This has included capsule collections of hats for Sessun, then for Van Palma, flower crowns for Calvi On The rocks, and now ceramic pieces under the Franca brand.
What is your relationship to fashion, clothing, and adornment? Does being wild imply a style off the beaten track?
Style is about listening to yourself. I like many different things and I vary my outfits according to my mood. While keeping some constants, like hats! I've always worn them, but my collaboration with the Van Palma brand and its designer, Victoria Sanguinetti, helped make them a signature, an accessory I can't live without. They add effortless style. Other rules that have become immutable: I no longer carry designer bags; I prefer tote bags or baskets, which I find chic. I always wear flats. To wear heels, you have to know how to do it; it's easy to look vulgar. You can't just be wild; you have to maintain a certain balance—it's actually difficult to find an antonym—the line is fine, thin. If you cross it, you become frightening, which brings us back to our relationship with animals…
MAEVY develops the concept of free movement. Is this an inspiration?
Free movement is about comfort, but that doesn't mean you can't have structure. There needs to be a silhouette, a look; I don't like shapeless, baggy clothes on me. There has to be a detail that makes all the difference. And above all, I like to think about it; I always prepare my outfits the night before!
Interview by Fabienne Berthet.
