This week we asked Aélie Molins our questions. The beauty swapped her camel, nude and natural-toned outfits for Klein blue, fuchsia, orange… After having one foot in the press, then in advertising, and then in fashion, Aélie continues to nurture her style and blend her passions into one: Andore. So, what is it? Find out below.
Hello Aélie, where are you right now to answer our questions?
On my sofa, with my dog, Jacob, asleep in his bed in front of me. But I must admit that I answered this interview in several parts, so my locations have varied.
Hello Jacob!
You are a graphic designer, illustrator and designer, but also Jacob's proud mum and a bride-to-be. Any other hats to add? Is it important to you to be multifaceted?
I am also a horse rider, I don't talk about it much on social media because I don't do it every day anymore, but I rode for 10 years. In fact, my Instagram name comes from the name of a horse I rode a lot when I was younger, Darcy.
I don't know if it's important to be multifaceted, it's not really something I've thought about, but it's probably linked to my creative spirit, I like doing lots of things and I don't set any boundaries for myself.
Aélie Molins' illustrations
What we love about you is your ultra-sharp, trendy, confident looks and your ecological awareness. As you can see, you can be stylish and ethical! Second-hand, always thoughtful purchases, reselling to declutter instead of accumulating... Tell us about your awakening and this turning point in your life.
Thank you 😀 We tend to demonize social media, but personally, they have brought me a lot of positivity, including this awakening over the last two years! There is not only superficial stuff on social media, there is a lot of information, very committed accounts, people speaking out... I eventually realized that I needed to change the way I consumed.
I went from 5 fast fashion orders a month to 5 a year
I went from 5 fast fashion orders a month to 5 a year, I consume much less and I buy almost exclusively second-hand, and from small designers. I love finding THE piece that makes the difference. Second-hand has also been a major turning point for my style. With fast fashion, I followed trends and new collections very closely, I didn't really know what I liked in the end and I got tired of my clothes very quickly, I piled them up...
With second-hand, I learned to find the pieces that suit me, the ones I wear the most, and that's how I really started to find "my style".
If I say Andore, will you answer me?
Andore is the knitwear brand I have just launched! It's a state of mind, a look, a natural and carefree woman, free and fierce. It's also colors, patterns, bold and confident pieces. But also a beautiful, high-quality material that respects animals and our precious and unique planet.
Tell us why you wanted to create an ethical knitwear line and how we can be ethical with a raw material that comes from animals?
It was my biggest challenge. I wanted to prove that it was possible to wear wool without animal suffering, since synthetics are very bad for the planet and of poor quality. It is worth knowing that sheep must be shorn for their well-being, so throwing away their wool would be a waste. I first turned to very small French farmers with small flocks cared for and pampered like their pets, but it is wool in very small quantities and therefore very, very expensive.
So I had to find something else to launch my first collection at the most affordable price possible. I chose not to trust certifications on ethical wool, because I am not on site, the wool is collected from several farmers before being spun into yarn, mostly in Australia and South Africa. Yes, even when they tell you it's made in France or spun by an Italian mill, because one does not prevent the other, the mills source their materials elsewhere. In short, it is impossible to have 100% clean traceability. Since animal welfare is my priority, I chose to turn to 100% recycled.
The Lucky Green cardigan worn by Aélie
Apart from your brand, share with us your greatest pride, your latest leap of faith?
I became vegetarian at the beginning of 2020, no more meat and no more fish, little by little at my own pace. It is worth knowing that I was born in the southwest... you see where I'm going... duck confit, foie gras, gizzards and good Basque ham were my favorite dishes in my childhood. But it has been a wish of mine since I was very young, I have always admired vegetarians because I love animals very much, I have always expressed this desire, without actually feeling capable of it. Thanks to social media and lots of videos and articles on the subject, I realized that it was not consistent to defend the animal cause so much and continue to make them suffer. Today it is my greatest pride.
At April Please, we love taking risks! Our story started like that... That is why our jewelry is a bit rebellious. Inside out, upside down, mismatched, layered, twisted... What is your personal touch, your fashion signature?
A pair of cowboy boots, a colorful scarf tied in my ponytail, and a big pair of golden earrings. Whatever I wear with that, I feel like myself.
Favorite brands (and ethical ones) that you love to shop with your eyes closed?
I am looking at my closet to answer this question, but I realize that it is full of second-hand...
But don't panic, I have my favorite small designers:
Maison Cléo, impossible to go wrong, it is made by a mother and her daughter to order in France, everything is knitted and sewn by hand from fabrics that come from leftovers from large fashion houses, or factories. And on top of that, the pieces are stunning. It's a 10/10!
Mina Storm, I declare them the most comfortable underwear on the planet. 100% recycled, body positive. I have a flashy green swimsuit that has more than proven itself.
Paloma Wool, I want EVERYTHING.
House of Sunny, colors and patterns. All in responsible materials.
And many more that I often talk about on my Instagram account.
And THE piece in your wardrobe that you cannot live without?
A pair of big golden earrings. It's the foundation.
With which April Please jewelry would you wear it?
The final touch, layering on my ear with EDGAR for the color and GABRIEL, my favorite that I never take off.
And to go with the timeless little black dress, you opt for…
I wear it off the shoulders with puffy sleeves, I add a pair of cowboy boots and a masculine hat, like a sombrero. One of my favorite outfits.
If you had to give 3 tips to our readers to buy consciously:
1: Take your time
Don't buy on impulse, wait to see if you are still thinking about this piece the following days. Think about pieces in your wardrobe that you can wear it with. Ask yourself if this piece suits you or if it's just a passing fancy. And if you see it too much on social media, that's a bad sign, you will get tired of it as quickly as you wore it.
2: Find out...
... about the brand, its commitments, try not to trust the blah blah of many brands that claim to be ethical but are not. It's the hardest thing I think, because we don't always have the time, the desire or the ability to do it.
3: VINTED VINTED VINTED!
And a piece from a small designer from time to time when the budget allows!
To finish, for you April Please is…
The detail and layering that make the difference.
Find Aélie on Instagram: @thedarcysdaily / @Andore_Paris / @AelieMolins
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