It was such an idyllic time when I grew up in Hong Kong. It was a British colony and very much geared towards buying the best of Britain. My childhood does have a huge influence on how we design. There must be a little bit of that nostalgia - childhood is so special.

Marie-Chantal Claire

Categorized in : Best Time Design Childhood

A lot of people judge me because I like to, you know, look good, but I grew up in fashion.

Marie-Chantal Claire

good me you people

We have a huge family history with Singapore because we have the duty-free shops in the airports. It's a very industrious city. It's beautiful, and Singaporeans have this wonderful desire for, and love of, luxury goods. You can see how well thought out and planned the city is with the best boutiques.

Marie-Chantal Claire

best family beautiful love

I think it's very important to have the stewardship of a company by a family member.

Marie-Chantal Claire

think company family important

It's so important to adapt, think outside the box, and stay ahead if you want to grow.

Marie-Chantal Claire

grow think you important

I have a lot of social engagements, and I like to dress up for them. I try to wear what I feel comfortable in, as self-confidence is so much about how you look. Generally, I love to wear long dresses; they make you feel special.

Marie-Chantal Claire

dress you love long

I was spending most of my summers in Greece when I was a little girl, and at boarding school my first room-mate was Greek, so I guess I kind of had that Greek destiny.

Marie-Chantal Claire

first destiny girl school

I love to dress up. You have to have a sense of fun in life, too. We can all be serious and work and do our bit, but every now and again you have to have a good giggle.

Marie-Chantal Claire

good work love life

I'm a third-culture child. It's an interesting concept. Having an American father, a South American mother, born in England, grew up in Hong Kong, went to school in Europe - it makes me a third-culture child, which means you take on the culture of the place where you live. So I'm very adaptable.

Marie-Chantal Claire

me you mother father

Every summer my father gave us this incredible vacation, in the Philippines, Thailand, Europe - wherever.

Marie-Chantal Claire

us vacation summer father

I knew I was artistic, and I wanted to do something in the arts.

Marie-Chantal Claire

knew something arts wanted

I always did healthy things. I didn't sit around in nightclubs. Sure, I had my fair share of fun, but no one could ever accuse me of being a dilettante and doing nothing. I was always on this unbelievable quest to go and do.

Marie-Chantal Claire

nothing doing me fun

It's important to dress our children well. I have some wonderful memories from my childhood, and so much is associated with what I was wearing. If you look good, you feel good - simple.

Marie-Chantal Claire

good childhood memories children

I like wearing classic pieces with a modern twist.

Marie-Chantal Claire

wearing like modern classic

Most little boys like to dress like their daddies.

Marie-Chantal Claire

dress little most like

There has been a lot of movement in my family, but in a way, it has been great. It has made me adaptable. I can plonk myself anywhere.

Marie-Chantal Claire

great myself me family

I cook. I did the Escoffier course in Paris when I was 21 in one of those periods when it was like a pause. I can cook anything Italian, Chinese.

Marie-Chantal Claire

pause like paris i-can

I had a fundamental love of fashion, of products and accessories. I loved the merchandising side of it and understanding how to maximize sales.

Marie-Chantal Claire

loved fashion understanding love