Charlotte, you're a young woman, but I still see you regularly in a Marie Méro outfit. Do you identify with Marie Méro's generational story?
100%! And the fact that I regularly wear their clothes is the real proof, right? :D I'm a true fashion fan. I love being surprised by brands. I believe you can find (clothing) treasures everywhere. How you ultimately combine them is how you stay true to your own style.
You've been handling PR for Marie Méro for almost two years now. What do you enjoy about working for them?
Literally everything! And I'm not saying that because they'll read this. I'm a fan of the brand and their collections, but especially of the team. They're all hard workers with a no-nonsense attitude, and I love that. I don't know if they realize it, but they make everyone who works with them feel like part of the family. I love brainstorming with them about cool and creative PR and influencer activities. They might have been in business for 50 years, but they certainly don't lack innovative ideas.
You're still young, but you already have a lot of work experience. Do you dress differently at the office than you do at home?
That's right, I've been working at oSérieux PR Agency for six years now. You should know that I really love being comfortable. I now have a pair of sweatpants in every color, and I wear them regularly. Of course, I leave them at home when I go to the office. But I basically dress according to my schedule. If I have meetings or appointments, I always make an extra effort. But for a normal workday at the office, I go for comfort. That doesn't mean it's any less beautiful, but I'll often arrive at the office without makeup, for example. My boss is sometimes surprised when I put on makeup again. (laughs)
Would you like a job in the fashion industry?
It's funny you should ask that. I often used to think I'd end up in the fashion world. Of course, I work in that industry regularly now, and I love it. But yes, if Marie Méro ever has an exchange program, I'd love to apply. (laughs)
Oh really, would you like to design a collection yourself?
Yes, wow, how fantastic would that be! But could I do it? I also really enjoy styling. Maybe I should suggest to Ruben that he put together my favorite Marie Méro outfits for me and my friends this winter! The ideas are already pouring in. (laughs)
You're from Leuven. What are your favorite hotspots?
That's right, a proud Leuven native! My perfect day looks like this: I start my day with a delicious breakfast at Bite on Tiensestraat. Afterwards, I go shopping on Bondgenotenlaan and Diestestraat. In Diestestraat, I stop at MOK for a delicious iced latte. I finish my shopping trip on Leuven's most beautiful street, Mechelsestraat, and have lunch at De Optimist on Vismarkt. I sometimes make a cultural stop at the M-Museum, and after a stroll through the city and along the Dijle River, I go for food and cocktails at Raffat, a new hotspot on Naamsestraat. And if the evening is still young, I head to a café on Oude Markt for a delicious glass of wine and a bit of people-watching .
When you go out with friends, do you really dress up and if so, what do you go for?
Well, for me, it really depends. I dress according to my mood . I can really enjoy dressing up and even look forward to it all day, but I can just as easily choose to go out in sweatpants. And yes, that's happened. I've gotten some strange looks, but I think people in Leuven are used to that from me now. (laughs) When I do choose to dress up, it ranges from a dress and heels to baggy jeans and a crop top, and everything in between.
Do you have a style icon?
I have soooo many. I'm from the social media generation, so I follow a lot of Belgian and international influencers. But if I had to choose just one, it's Hailey Bieber. She always looks so effortlessly chic and cool! She's also considered the modern-day Lady Di, by the way. Now that's a compliment!
Do you have a fashion budget?
I'd rather have that... (laughs) I'm very conscious of what I buy, I rarely make impulse purchases, and in recent years I've increasingly opted for quality and local (read: Belgian) brands. But I'm also very aware that I spend a lot of money on fashion. I try to calm myself down by saying, "I work hard for this," or "At least it goes to a local retailer." But I know all too well that no one my age needs a wardrobe like that. (laughs) As long as it makes me happy, right?
Is there something hanging in your wardrobe that you will never get rid of?
I'm someone who really has no problem getting rid of clothes (or other things). Sometimes I even get rid of things a little too quickly. (laughs). But I have one pair of purple boots from Dries Van Noten that I will never get rid of. They're incredibly uncomfortable, but they're gorgeous! There's a fun story behind them, by the way. I once came across the boots on Pinterest and fell in love instantly! I tried to figure out what brand they were, but to no avail. Six months later, I was walking past a random shop window on Brusselsestraat in Leuven and saw those boots there, right?! When I saw they were from Dries Van Noten, my euphoria quickly gave way to disappointment: "I can't afford that at all." Just as I decided (somewhat sadly) to move on, I saw a 50% off sign in the corner of my eye. I went into the store and bought the boots. The job was done in 5 minutes! I was incredibly happy and left with an empty wallet. They were still too expensive, but that really was fate, right?!
What are your top 3 favorite items from Marie Méro's new FW collection?
I love the pink dress I'm wearing today. When I saw the campaign photo of model Jenna Peij wearing it, I was sold. It looks fantastic with snakeskin boots. And what a gorgeous fabric! I also absolutely love the leather dress. And that long coat in beige and denim blue should be in everyone's wardrobe! A truly strong collection; they should be proud of it.
It's wonderful to see young people so radiant in Marie Méro. I'm watching Charlotte with a touch of envy as she interviews Sandra Bekkari, makes sure Tendens TV gets all the footage for their report on 50 years of Marie Méro, and takes a few more phone calls. It's clear: she truly embodies the new generation of #proudtowearmariemero ladies!
Do you want to shine like Charlotte in this beautiful dress?
You can find it in our webshop or at your favourite Marie Méro store.
