I’m thrilled to share my latest interview with Arthur Gourounlian. We met in 2010 when Arthur was creative directing and choreographing a film online platform Fashionair, featuring my then-boss, Christian Louboutin. Arthur taught Christian to tap dance for a dream sequence in the film. We saw each other every day for a week, and everyone left besotted with Arthur’s energy, humour and genuine kindness. Oh, and the film went viral.

His is quite the crazy story...

I am full of stories today. So not too long ago, in 2016, I believe, I decided to throw a party at my Parisian apartment during fashion week. Many friends were coming into town, and I had absolutely no idea who would turn up. I had a mixologist and almost no food (I was in meetings all day, and my guests were treated to an unimpressive spread, not to my liking). And against all odds, it was a rocking party, which to my surprise, ended with fashion luminaries Stephen Jones and Daniel Roseberry, then at Thom Browne, now at the helm of Schiaparelli (both who followed my friend Trino to my little soiree).

I was rather awed when I opened my door to find Mr Jones there, soft-spoken and charming, and very tall, someone whose work I’d been admiring for years.

While I’ve never owned one of his pieces, I’m looking forward to trying to put my hands on one of the fabulous designs he has created for his collaboration with G Star Raw. Cheers to that. Discover here

Weak ankles are like a curse. First, because I love shoes. Second, because as a result, wearing heels is challenging. And high-platform shoes are an absolute no-go.

And the universe went: ‘And yet, you shall work for Christian Louboutin…’ ha ha ha, I hear with an amused and ominous echo, the universal intelligence giggling, as I tittered around for most of my many years working for the father of the red soles.

I had a dream. Last year I had a dream that I would be able to support great companies, brands or individuals who are actively seeking to have a positive impact on the world, either with their products or their services. It's a big dream. I am really quite motivated by this being the way that I make an impact. After all, my superpower is to be a catalyst for others. I may not single-handedly save the rainforest, but I can certainly develop the right business, coach the executives who can do the job and help strategically communicate their work.

Lucky me then to have worked for the past few months with responsible jeweller Pippa Small. She launched a very special new collection which I'm excited for you to discover. If her name isn't familiar, I encourage you to read on and wait for it, listen to her interview with me, which will launch in a few days.

I take joy in every interview for Out of the Clouds, and it’s an extra special treat when my guest loves to entertain good conversations as much as I do! Scott Wimsett is such a person.

The self-care industry is currently estimated at 1.5tn by McKinsey, and the forecast assumes that the growth will be from 5 to 10 per cent annually. So it’s less surprising to hear that Flatiron, Manhattan, has just seen the opening of its first social wellness club.

Can luxury fashion be part of the solution to climate change? Gabriela Hearst offers a great example in this in-depth interview that showcases how the Uruguayan designer had the boldness to impose what she thought was right against the industry’s reluctant old guard, first at her eponymous brand and now at Chloé. Innovative indeed. Read more here. 

I’d heard from a naturopath (or an enthusiast, I cannot remember) that your supermarket can be your pharmacy if you choose wisely. 

I’ve got another inspiring guest interview to share with you — this one with Nada Ghazal, a jewellery designer and entrepreneur based in Beirut, Lebanon. She shares with me how she’s always been creative and fascinated by adorning herself, which, as a child, led to her making her own jewellery and shoes with the help of local artisans.
Without the option of studying fashion or jewellery, Nada built a career in graphic design. But she left her fancy agency on her 30th birthday and returned to her hometown, Beirut, to start her fine jewellery company. Her focus has been on timeless jewellery that can be worn day to night — not be left in a safe.

Prada launched their first fine jewellery earlier this month, but as it coincided with my birthday, I totally missed it. Malheur! Why am I writing about it today? Well...