JE NE SAIS QUOI?!

Bonjour! From Troyes, in the well-known Champagne area of France, to Penarth, Sylvie Pasquier is Penarth View’s new fashion influencer. Fashion has always been a passion of hers, sketching ladies wearing pretty and colourful dresses from the age of eight years old. So it was no surprise to anyone when, several years later, she decided to go to Paris to study haute couture.

We’re so excited to welcome you to the Penarth View team as our new fashion influencer.

Thank you, Will. Absolutely thrilled to be part of the team. I look forward to sharing my fashion experiences and expertise with you and hope to bring a certain “Je ne sais quoi…?!” to all readers of Penarth View. I’d also like to wish Claire Jacklin, your previous fashion influencer, all the best with her future projects.

Thank you! When did you realise that fashion was a passion of yours?

From a very young age actually. Both my parents were very fashion conscious so you could say it was part of my upbringing.

I used to watch my mother get ready when she was going out in the evening. She always took great care of her appearance. She was the one who taught me the importance of accessorising and how a key piece such as a necklace or a belt could take an outfit to a completely different dimension! Something I still put in practice today.

What was the first item of clothing that you bought and treasured?

I was barely 18 at the time and it was a jumper—the very brightly coloured and oversized type which was very fashionable at the time. Believe it or not, I kept it in my closet for over 20 years.

How would you describe your fashion style?

I would not describe myself as having one specific style. The type of clothes that I choose every morning very much depend on what I am planning on doing that day. It can range from a sharp suit to a casual pair of cropped trousers and t-shirt, a dress and heels or a pair of jogging bottom and trainers if I am planning on going to the gym.

Has it changed during lockdown?

Most definitely! Lockdown has had a great impact on the way I have been dressing. With the option of going out and meeting people being greatly reduced, my daily choice of clothes has turned more towards casual and lounge wear which is better suited to the stayat-home guidelines during lockdown.

How has the quarantine been for you and your daughter?

There have been good days and bad days like for most people I guess. My daughter has found it particularly hard not be able to see her friends. But we have enjoyed spending time together, playing board games, baking cakes and going for walks with Lili, our little Jack Russell.

Do you have any lockdown tips you can share with our readers?

Use the time available to go through your wardrobe! We all tend to accumulate clothes which no longer fit or that we no longer wear. A good clear up can really make all the difference and help you reassess your own fashion style.

You mentioned that you liked drawing dresses from a young age. Do you still draw?

I did yes but have not done so for quite a long time now. The last time I used this skill was when I was running my own fashion business back in the early 90s. The clients who contacted me to create an outfit for them really enjoyed having their ideas and wishes translated into a drawing. It helped them visualize the finished product much better.

Tell us a little about your studies and influences in haute couture.

I studied haute couture for three years in the 12e arrondissement of Paris in the same college of art as Christian Louboutin a few years before me.

The teachers all had a great deal of experience having worked in the famous fashion houses such as Christian Dior, Coco Chanel, Yves St Laurent and Givenchy, to name just a few.

They were strict and very demanding but taught us through the whole process of creating a garment, from the design to the finished product.

As part of our final exam we had to create a collection of three outfits to be presented in front of a panel of judges in the form of a mini fashion show. I still remember it as being the most nervewrecking and exhilarating day of my life!

What item of clothing must we always have in our wardrobe?

Pashminas! Which technically could be described more as an accessory than an item of clothing, but everybody should have at least one in their wardrobe. They can really jazz up any outfit by adding a touch of colour and luxury. I find them to be quite useful throughout the year, either wrapped around the shoulders during a cool summertime evening or worn over a jumper to keep you warm in winter.

If there was one thing you could move from Troyes to Penarth, what would it be?

The quirky little streets and buildings in the centre of Troyes, which date back to the 16th century.

What can readers expect to see from you this year?

After lockdown, I believe a selection of bright outfits and accessories is required to bring back some sunshine and fun into our lives.

What three wishes would you ask from a genie?

1. Greater care for our planet. 2. Good health. 3. Great friendship throughout the world!

What are your three favourite places to be in Penarth?

1. The pier! To enjoy the view and some fresh air. 2. Rowley’s the Jewellers—for a lovely chat with my friend Petra and her husband Cem. 3. Fauvette! I cannot resist the fantastic selection of French cheeses and products! For a minute, I feel as if I am back home.

Finally, what led you to start your own event business?

With my daughter growing up and becoming more independent, I felt that the time was right for me to get back to work. Organising events for friends and family was something I had always really enjoyed doing over the years and it felt like the natural way forward. So S. Events was born.

What types of events do you organise and how can people find out more?

I organize all types really. Birthday celebrations are obviously the most popular, but I also organize baby showers, anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, Christmas and New Year’s Eve parties, family picnics, Easter egg hunts for children, business promotions, retirement parties, charity balls, house-warming parties, graduation parties, the list goes on!

There have been some unusual ones too—like the time when I was asked if I could organize a divorce party for a lady who had separated from her husband!

I also had an enquiry from an older gentleman who had recently lost his wife and asked me whether I arranged wakes. It was something that I had never even thought about until I received this call. So, as you can see, it is pretty varied.

The best way to find out more about S. Events is to simply give me a call. It is a very personal service and I find that having an informal chat is not only much nicer, it also makes it easier for me to understand exactly what the person is looking for. Then it is just a matter of arranging an appointment to discuss the finer details and from that point, working still in close collaboration, I make it happen! 

We look forward to welcoming Sylvie back in the autumn issue of Penarth View. Contact Sylvie on 07989583514 or 02922 470727, or by email at pasquiersylvie02@gmail.com to discuss your event requirements.

Sylvie Pasquier

I was born in Troyes, in the well-known Champagne area of France. Fashion has always been a passion of mine—I was sketching at the age of 8—and I studied haute couture in Paris. I now live in the Vale of Glamorgan with my daughter and a little dog called Lili.