24 Hours With…
Amélie Huynh Of STATEMENT PARIS
“My jewellery is like my armour.” Bringing her lifelong passion for jewellery to life, Amélie Huynh realised her own irreverent brand STATEMENT PARIS to deliver show-stopping, Art Deco heirlooms that are more than just aesthetically-pleasing. Whilst each wearable piece of artwork looks museum-worthy, they symbolise enduring beauty, crafted by hand and emulating each wearer’s perfectly imperfect, authentic individuality. From diamond encrusted drop earrings, to shining sterling silver… this collection holds the perfect grand gestures for any occasion (don’t forget, Valentine’s Day is imminent…!) You just have to decide what statement you want your armour to say about you.
“Breakfast at home. It doesn’t always have to look pretty.”
“My D’Orsay fragrances. Some are not out yet, I’m testing.”
MORNING
What time do you wake up and what's the first thing you do when you get up?
I get up around 6.30AM before my three children wake up and the joyful chaos begins. I give myself an hour as my personal time. I have to restrain myself from reaching out for my phone because it’s a black hole of emails and social media and all sorts of notifications. I head straight for the bathroom unless it’s those two days per week when I work out in the morning!
Do you have any morning rituals?
I have a very simple beauty routine. A quick shower, face wash, serum, eye cream and strong moisturiser. My sister has an amazing skincare line called Holidermie, so I’m blessed with everything I need in that department. And I spray on my perfumes (plural) because I also have a fragrance brand, D’Orsay. So I do have a lot of perfumes, I’m quite obsessed with fragrances in general.
Where do you live and how long have you lived there?
I live in Paris, not far from my office, in the 8th arrondissement in a Haussmann-type building. I’ve lived there for 10 years now, it’s a sort of an “in-between” area close to the Poncelet open market, the Champs-Élysées and the Monceau park.
Favourite thing about your neighbourhood/where you live?
The Monceau park! It’s a three minute-walk from my apartment and it’s a wonderful place for the kids. It’s very old, its trees have witnessed centuries/decades of Paris history.
What does your average day look like?
Not very different from any other working parent I must say. That one hour I take for myself in the morning is precious. After 7.30AM things speed up. I wake the kids up, make sure they dress according to the weather and the school rules (sometimes it takes explaining!), breakfast, walk the dog, take the children to school. I’m glad I have my partner to help out because it’s a lot of multitasking.
Then it’s the office, multitasking again because I manage two brands and oversee several others. Usually the day goes by very fast. I come back home around 7.30/8PM for the new shift: homework check, dinner, bathtime, oh and the dog again!
That’s the usual routine. Of course, there are friends and exhibitions and restaurants from time to time but that’s usually for the weekends. There are just not enough hours in my day during the week!
Describe yourself in three words…
Determined, grounded, optimistic.
How would your friends describe you in three words?
I hope: loyal, generous, cool!
“My office, where I spend most of my time, where the magic happens!”
“My beautiful neighbourhood.”
“A beautiful bouquet by Fleurs de Roy in my office. White flowers are my favourite.”
DAYTIME
What is your idea of a perfect day?
If it’s a work day: all the scheduled meetings start and finish according to schedule (and each meeting is useful and things move forward!). Nice weather if possible because it has its relevance for the general mood of the teams. Some good news is welcome. I’d finish fairly early, come back home, my kids are back from school with good grades, smiling! That would be a very good day!
When you’re not working, what do you do for fun?
Will you believe me if I say that I work for fun? I love working! Maybe because I have my own businesses, bringing my ideas and passions to life. I also love spending quality time with my kids and fiancé. We love to travel and go to exhibitions but also love it at home, cosy, where we cook and play games. I get an occasional get away with my girlfriends which is a lot of fun!
What did you do on your last day off?
I was on a plane coming back from a trip to Kenya. It was breathtaking. The country, the people, the animals… That trip was a goldmine in terms of inspirations, all the Massai jewellery, the outfits… Plus during a safari you can’t really focus on anything else, there is no 5G, there is just nature! That magic wilderness, it makes you feel like you’re a part of something big, something almost holy, the earth community!
What do you need more time for?
For all of it. For my family, for my companies, for my teams. For the hairdresser, eventually!
What was your route into design and how did you begin STATEMENT PARIS?
I’m self-taught when it comes to design. I don’t do all those beautiful technical drawings, but the first sketch is always mine. But I do know jewellery. I spent eight years at a famous Place Vendôme jewellery brand doing PR and marketing but I dealt with all the aspects of creating the pieces. I used to spend a lot of time at the ateliers watching the artisans and asking questions. That was a great school.
One thing you can’t live without?
Only one?! My little notebook where I write my ideas and make drawings. That’s one. Scented candles by D’Orsay, that’s another one. My ring, My Way, it protects me and defines who I am. I have a lot of those “ones”!
What makes you laugh? What makes you cry? What gives you goosebumps?
Some things that my kids say make me laugh and cry! And goosebumps… I’m a big art lover. There are some artists that really do give me goosebumps: Huang Yong Ping, Lee Ufan, Hicham Berrada, Latifa Echakhch and many more!
“My little (not so little) jewellery box.”
“A great message to my sweetheart! By the very talented duo LRNCE.”
EVENING
What’s on your bookshelf?
Many things! Lots and lots of artbooks because reading, art and culture are fundamental as we know. I also read several books at a time. Right now I’m reading ‘The 12 Steps’ (Taschen edition), rereading ‘The Prophet’ by Khalil Gibran, and there’s always a good thriller on my booklist. Right now it’s ‘The Fault’ by Franck Thiliez.
What are you listening to at the moment?
There’s this podcast ‘Generation Do It Yourself’ that I truly enjoy. I’m very easily satisfied when it comes to music: Bowie, Queen, Frank Ocean, Jay Z… And I sing along to Dua Lipa with my teenage daughter!
What do you usually do for dinner?
I lovingly watch my fiancé cooking. He’s really good at it. I’m less of a pro - he knows I’m not a perfect housewife!
What’s your favourite restaurant? And what do you order there?
I love this Italian place called Cibus, their parmesan artichokes are divine. I also love the classic Voltaire - the french fries are a must! These two have been my go-to places for years.
Do you have any evening rituals?
I take my jewellery off because I don’t need my armour at home. We enjoy a family dinner all together when possible, then afterwards I make sure that my kids read (and enjoy it too!).
Before going to bed I brush my hair meticulously, I use a facial oil to remove my make-up, a drop of serum and a rich thick cream for my face (I usually use HoliRepair by Holidermie if someone wants to know!).
What's the last thing you do before you sleep?
I give my fiancé a kiss goodnight.
What do you dream about?
All of my pieces sold out at Browns. That’s one of them!
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