Chloe Malle: This is The Run-Through With Vogue. I'm Chloe Malle. Chioma Nnadi: And, I'm Chioma Nnadi. Chloe Malle: Chioma. Chioma Nnadi: Hi. Chloe Malle: I feel so lonely in studio. Chioma Nnadi: I know. I miss you. Chloe Malle: Tell us everything. What's happening in Paris? Chioma Nnadi: Well, you gotta ease into Paris. It's never as insane as- as New York, so, um, you know, you sort of... The first day was, the highlight was Vizcarra, and they're a New York brand. And they were part of this new wave of young designers in New York who were kind of, kind of have come up in the last few years. They were part of the CVFF as as well. Um, and they just have this young, fresh energy. They look up to the likes of Vivienne Westwood and they have that kind of punk spirit. So, they're really fun. Chloe Malle: Right. Chioma Nnadi: And then you have Dior, which is always a big moment. Chloe Malle: Different from Vizcarra. Chioma Nnadi: Very different from Vizcarra. Chloe Malle: Oh, my God, the Dior, I love the Paris print dress. Chioma Nnadi: Yeah, right? Chloe Malle: So pretty. Chioma Nnadi: The map of Paris? Chloe Malle: Yeah. Chioma Nnadi: I think Dior's always a moment. It's kind of the first big show of the week. Happens during the day. It's usually at the Tuileries. Chloe Malle: And, the look was very, very old school. It was sort of a nipped waist, uh- Chioma Nnadi: Yeah. Chloe Malle: ... you know, almost could have been the wardrobe for Ana De Armas as Marilyn Monroe in Blonde. Chioma Nnadi: Yeah. I mean, I think we've been seeing a lot of kind of classic lady chic clothes coming back. There were lots of lady bags, uh, too, um, which- which is interesting. And, um, it was just... There wasn't that much evening wear. It feels like a lot of designers are going back, are really kind of thinking about going back to reality, thinking about clothes that are truly chic and- Chloe Malle: Recession-proof clothing. Chioma Nnadi: Recession-proof, yeah. And, I think we saw that at Prada, too. You know, very pared back, minimal, referencing uniforms at Prada. Nurses' uniforms, military uniforms. Chloe Malle: Hmm. Chioma Nnadi: Um, and very kind of sophisticated ladylike shapes. So, yeah, it'll be interesting to see what happens next. St. Laurent was obviously completely different. It was the strong shoulder, a pencil skirt, big, big, oversize blazers, very '80s. Yeah. Chloe Malle: All right, so what else are you excited about before you leave? Chioma Nnadi: Well, I'm really excited to see what Balenciaga does- Chloe Malle: Oh, yeah, everyone's very keyed up- Chioma Nnadi: ... um, this weekend. Chloe Malle: ... about that, right? Chioma Nnadi: Yeah. I mean, they... From what we, well, obviously from the interview with Demna, we know that it's going to be a lot more pared back. It's gonna be a lot more intimate. Chloe Malle: Right. Chioma Nnadi: Um, so, it'll be interesting to see. Obviously, always excited about Chanel. I think that's gonna be big. I'm really excited to see Ester Manas, our friends Ester Manas. Chloe Malle: Oh, our friends. Such cutie pies. I love them. Chioma Nnadi: [laughs] Chloe Malle: My favorite soon to be newlyweds. Chioma Nnadi: Yeah, yeah. I think that they're showing on the fourth. Um, and we recently called them up, didn't we, Chloe? Um, her name is Ester Manas. Chloe Malle: Mm-hmm. Chioma Nnadi: His name is Balthazar Delepierre. They're a couple. They're totally adorable. They finish each other's sentences and smile and giggle. When they look at each other, it's just, it's such... It was actually really fun to interview them. And, they seem so in love. And, um, we kind of really wanted to be friends with them, right? Chloe Malle: Oh, I mean, Chioma and I were just giggling the whole time. It was very endearing. Chioma Nnadi: It really was. And, you know, I was incredibly surprised to find out that they'd met 11 years ago. Chloe Malle: In fashion school. Chioma Nnadi: In school. Chloe Malle: Yeah. Chioma Nnadi: In fashion school. Chloe Malle: He was studying graphic design, I think. Chioma Nnadi: Right. Ester Manas: It was 11 years ago. I'm sorry, it was so long time ago. Um, and we met and we fall in love in same time, I think. Balthazar Delepierre: Yeah. Ester Manas: And, we be... And we decided to work together but in the shadow, I mean, because I started fashion de- design, and Balthazar s- started to help me. I mean, yes, in the shadow, because he did my- my print, my- my picture, everything I need. Balthazar Delepierre: Mm-hmm. Ester Manas: You can explain, it be easier. Balthazar Delepierre: Yeah. I believe we were just, like, two students helping each other on projects. Or if there was sort sort, like, giving advice and [inaudible 00:04:07] design and that kind of stuff. Chioma Nnadi: So there are a few things I love about them. First of all, I love that their label is young. I mean they just basically just started. They started in 2019. And, um, they're already known as pioneers for making size inclusive clothes which as we know isn't the- the thing here in Paris. Or isn't very common in Paris. Chloe Malle: Yeah. I mean Ester said it was, it just got frustrating creating clothes for only one size, which was, you know, a sized two model mannequin. And not the luxurious curves that she herself has. Ester Manas: Maybe you can explain it again. I mean, I don't know. Balthazar Delepierre: Yeah. Because typically you spend five years in school to design on small and skinny girl. And it- Ester Manas: Yeah in size 36 in French today, so I think for you it's, like, it's size, like, two or size, like- Chioma Nnadi: Right, yeah. Ester Manas: ... two or four maximum. Chioma Nnadi: Sample size. Or straight size. Ester Manas: Yeah. Balthazar Delepierre: And so Ester was like, okay, why I'm spending all my, uh- Ester Manas: Time, and money, and everything. Balthazar Delepierre: To design for one which is not like me. Chloe Malle: Oh, and another thing I love is that she uses not just herself as a fit model, but Balthazar too. They're, uh, not just size inclusive. They are gender inclusive, fluid. They- they share each other's clothes. Chioma Nnadi: Ester, I heard you were your own fit model. Ester Manas: Me? Chioma Nnadi: Yeah I heard you- you were the first, you were the original fit model. You dressed, you- Ester Manas: Yeah. Chioma Nnadi: ... made the- the samples on yourself. Balthazar Delepierre: Yeah. I mean you're- you're right. Ester is the first model. But also it kind of- Ester Manas: It- it's because I'm super, uh, curvy of course. But if something, if a clothes fit me- Balthazar Delepierre: It's good news. Ester Manas: ... oh, it's a really good news. [laughs] So- so that's why we try on me. But we also try sometime on Balthazar. But you don't want to... Chioma Nnadi: [laughs] Ester Manas: We laugh about that. But it's really cool to see, like, some lace dress on Baltha. Balthazar Delepierre: I mean if- if someone stole our- o- our [inaudible 00:06:06] there will be a lot of weird pictures. Ester Manas: On just my phone. Balthazar Delepierre: Yeah, just- Ester Manas: Yeah. But yeah, yeah. But also because we are really, really different. Because I- I'm small and really curve and Balthazar is really tall and really thin. So I mean we are completely opposite. So it's really cool to see the difference and balance between us. And of course we try on real- Balthazar Delepierre: Real model. Ester Manas: ... uh, really, yeah. Balthazar Delepierre: On proper- Ester Manas: On girls. Yeah. But- but- Balthazar Delepierre: We just... Ester Manas: Yeah. [laughs] Yeah. Chioma Nnadi: That made me smile. Another thing I love is their collections are made from sustainable materials. Ester Manas: It will be, uh, 90% of leftover. Balthazar Delepierre: And so we are finding pice of cloths, like, fabric [inaudible 00:06:50] of materials. And we are basically designing with them in front of it. So we don't need a specific c- color, we don't, like, ask from buyers, "We need that kind of red, we need that kind of stuff." We just, okay, there is this available. What can we do, uh, with it? Chloe Malle: Yeah it was interesting to me 'cause it's kind of the reverse of how you f- would think it would work. That they work with the colors and the patterns that are available rather than creating or requesting new things. I mean it's very smart. Chioma Nnadi: Totally. And I think personally my favorite part of talking to them was when they told us about their upcoming show this week. It's called For Better or For Worse. And it's based on their love story. So their show this week is gonna be wedding themed, basically. They're basically planning their wedding. Chloe Malle: Oh my God. The way we squeal when we hear them say this. Balthazar Delepierre: Yeah, you just- Ester Manas: Or something better. Balthazar Delepierre: Yeah. I mean to me, a collection about Ester and I and- Ester Manas: Because it's a, it's about the wedding. Chloe Malle: Oh. Chioma Nnadi: Oh. Ester Manas: [laughs] Chioma Nnadi: You got us, you got us with that. Chloe Malle: When is the wedding? Ester Manas: [inaudible 00:07:53]. Balthazar Delepierre: This summer. Chloe Malle: Where is the wedding? Ester Manas: In Belgium. Balthazar Delepierre: Yeah. Ester Manas: But so we have a summer wedding in- in this summer. Balthazar Delepierre: In the countryside. Ester Manas: In the countryside. And we have a, so a kind, a kind of- Balthazar Delepierre: Official wedding plan. Ester Manas: ... official, yeah, official wedding during the Paris fashion week because we decided to work this collection around this- Balthazar Delepierre: Idea of wedding. Ester Manas: ... idea of wedding. So it's really- Chloe Malle: Oh my God. Chioma Nnadi: So wait, is he gonna see your... Like, Ester, is Balthazar gonna see your wedding dress before the wedding day? How does that work? Ester Manas: Yes, because we designing together the dress. [laughs] Chioma Nnadi: No. Chloe Malle: Now Chioma's upset. [laughs] Chioma Nnadi: Oh. I mean you're gonna look beautiful. Ester Manas: [laughs] Chioma Nnadi: Is it in the show? Is your dress, is- is there a version of your dress in the show? Balthazar Delepierre: That- that's the question. Ester Manas: That's the question. Balthazar Delepierre: We don't- Ester Manas: Because we- we design for the show, like, seven, or eight, or nine r- really wedding dress. Like white ones et cetera. And Balthazar told me all the time, "Okay, maybe this one. Maybe this one." So maybe. But I- I- I don't know yet. Chioma Nnadi: Okay, I cannot wait to see the wedding dresses in their collection. March 4th. You can check it out on vogue.com. And I'll be there in person. Chloe Malle: The Run-Through will be back in just a moment. Chioma Nnadi: And we're back with the Run-Through. And we actually had a really great conversation with Olivier Rousteing who is the creative director of Balmain. Was that pronunciation good, Chloe? Chloe Malle: Perfect. Chioma Nnadi: [laughs] Chloe Malle: Balmain is an old school heritage French brand started by Pierre Balmain right after the war. And there was this iconic new look of these sort of the strong suited woman that Christian Dior really pushed forth. And also Pierre Balmain. And a Olivier also makes very strong clothing that's, it's very decorated, it's very much for a strong woman going out in the evening. Embellished, pearl encrusted, rhinestones. Chioma Nnadi: I guess his show this week was really inspired by Jolie Madame and can you explain a little bit about what Jolie Madame is? 'Cause when he mentioned it I actually wasn't aware of what it was. Chloe Malle: I- I can't say I know much. But I think that after the war, there was this real push for women to... Women had been working during the war, they'd become empowered a lot because a lot of the men were fighting. And so it was more of push to go from house dresses to women being out and about. They were wearing strong suiting, it was a tailored nipped waist and sort of a full skirt but pleated. And felt professional and appropriate sort of armor for any situation. Chioma Nnadi: What's interesting is that when- when we think about the former shows, because I think, um, Olivier has been a real trailblazer when it comes to shaking up the format of shows. You know, he's done huge shows that are like concert affairs. And he's had- Chloe Malle: Yeah didn't he take over- Chioma Nnadi: That show- Chloe Malle: ... the Stade de France for his, uh, 10-year anniversary. Chioma Nnadi: He took over the Stade de France. Chloe Malle: Yeah. Chioma Nnadi: Yeah. He goes there. You know, and he invites all of, all of his, like, big celebrity friends, including Cher who walked the runway and Doja Cat who performed. Um, uh, but- but this show was much smaller, more intimate, much more like a salon kind of experience. Probably closer to what, um, the original Pierre Balmain would've done. Um, so this was quite different for him, for Olivier. So aside from the show, we spoke to Olivier about his relationship with Beyonce. Yes, they are friends. In fact they've collaborated for years. Um, she recently wore one of his looks for one of her many Grammy looks. He also spoke to us about learning about his biological parents. And- and if you get the chance I highly recommend his documentary Wonder Boy, 'cause that explores everything around that. And, um, it's very moving. He also talked pretty candidly about the racism that he's experienced, um, in the fashion industry here in Paris. Um, so we had a really, really- Chloe Malle: We went there. Chioma Nnadi: ... great conversation. We went there. Hi. Chloe Malle: Hi, Olivier. How are you? Olivier Rousteing: Good. Chioma Nnadi: We're grateful you could find the time to do this. We're excited to talk to you. I a- absolutely have to ask you about the Beyonce look you created and also the- the relationship that you've had with her over the years. I think you being such a music fan and obviously a fan of- of pop culture, you identified, you know, her as a fashion icon perhaps before many of the other fashion houses. And I think you have a real eye. Similar with Doja Cat. I mean now she's the girl of the moment. Tell us about that, making that look. And also about your relationship with her. Because I- I know that you guys have a really solid, um, friendship. Olivier Rousteing: I mean it's pure love. You know? Like it's just, like... You know it's someone that I was listening in my bedroom when I was so young. I think cl- we close to the same age, but obviously me I was, you know, in- in the high school or whatever. Like my early high school, starting my high school and listening to her music when I didn't know if I wanted to become a lawyer or a fashion designer, you know? And being, like, obsessed with her music in my five square meter, uh, bedroom. Close to Bordeaux in the south of France. And of course, you know, today where I can tell you she's my friend and we worked a lot together. And it's beautiful because we share the same perfectionism and we share the same ambition that our- our work and our platform. And she's my muse. She's the one that's inspired me when I sketch. Chioma Nnadi: Tell me a bit about the first time you met, you met her and how you connected? Chloe Malle: I know, I loved reading about your Coachella fitting and your grandmother calling and saying, "Are you kidding?" Chioma Nnadi: [laughs] Olivier Rousteing: I met her, like, se- seven years ago from the tour that she was doing in Paris. We had a great connection and after I went to the Met Gala at one point and we- we, she came to my after party. And we spent, like, hours talking. And after we worked on the second tour. And after we- we were on Coachella, where there we- we spent a lot of time together back and forth between Paris and LA. But yeah, the story of my grandma was really fun. Because it was the birthday I think of my grandad. And I forgot. And, you know, with the timing be- between LA and Paris, we have nine hours difference. And my grandma called me and she's like, "Oh what is... There's so much noise around you." I'm like, "Grandma, I'm just, like, rehearsing, doing a rehearsal right now." And she's like, "Oh, I hear someone singing. Such an incredible voice. Where are you?" And I'm like, "Grandma, it's Beyonce singing." She's like, "I love. She has a great, great voice. But please, never forget your grandad. I mean it was his birthday." And I'm like... I love that. I mean that's why I love my family. Because my first photo shoot for Vogue US, I tell you, I was wearing a T-shirt that was really open. And I think it was during winter that I was taking this picture. It was my first picture for Vogue. You know, it was in 2011. I sent, you know, the Vogue to all my family. They call me and the first thing that they told me, instead of saying, "What the... You are in Vogue." No. They told me, "But you're almost naked. Like you don't wear your coat." That was the first reaction, you know, from grandparents. I'm like, "Did you understand that I became the Balmain DA? That is my first picture in Vogue America and the only thing that you have in mind is just I'm gonna, I'm gonna get cold." Chioma Nnadi: [laughs] Olivier Rousteing: You know? Chloe Malle: I think that's important. Olivier Rousteing: Yeah, apparently. Chloe Malle: [laughs] Chioma Nnadi: Well tell us a bit about your family life. I mean I watched your documentary and literally I was in- in tears. You know, I know that y- you know, you've, your- your life is a movie. Um, so- so tell us a bit about, like, your family life, your upbringing. For those listeners who don't know what an incredible story you have. Olivier Rousteing: You know I come from a really humble family and great, great parents that loved me from the beginning. My parents are my adopted parents because I come from orphanage, uh, right, really close to Bordeaux. I didn't know my origin until couple of years ago when I started to do my documentary, Wonder Boy, that is on Netflix. It was an interesting, I would say, life because not knowing where you come from you know where you want to go even more. Because some... I come from this really great, humble family that love me, gave me so much love. But have nothing to do in fashion, with fashion. You know, so they were pushing me for being, to be a lawyer. Um, from day one. And I really thought that I sh- I became a lawyer, I would become a lawyer and didn't obviously. But they gave me a lot of love. And until one point where I said, you know, I need to know where I come from. And so I start to do my research. And I discover that I'm half Ethiopian half Somalian. My biological mother is Somalian, my biological is Ethiopian. Uh, so through my search I discovered that my mom was 14 years old and maybe not, um, consenting, you know. Um, so it's been really tough, you know, because- because I was obsessed with knowing where I come from. You know, when you spend 30 years of your life not knowing where fr- where you're from, you know, it's- it's obviously a question that grows on you. And with all the racism that I went through since I was a kid, because of course today there's so much racism still and we still fight for, against. But the thing that for me has been really tough was my, the racism that I went through when I was a kid. And still in fashion at the beginning. But imagine when you're a kid and you just at school and people look at you and just, like, put you down. You know, and call you bastard because my parents are white and I'm black. Or I mean I went through so much racism when I was a kid. And when I started, let's say, fashion industry as well. But, you know, there was not, no way to talk about racism in the, in fashion either. You know? And this is the, has been a huge frustration for me. And when the door of fashion opened and I would say that I tried to open those doors as well. Because I was, you know, trying to explain. You know, I'm the only French black designer in- in the French luxury 2011, you know? And when I was trying to explain that I think this is important to- to talk about this topic, it was really hard for me to have people, um, supporting the conversation. Because at that time, if you start to open the door of this conversation, you start to question the entire fashion industry. And you start to question that casting, you start to question, you know, the teams. You start to question the campaigns. You start to question... And me, I was the one, you know, because I was just, like, but can I be myself? Can I talk about who I am? And, you know, it was hard because in 2011, like it was definitely really hard for people to let me speak. And years after years, you know, I change my casting on my own. I did, like, many actions, you know. And the fashion industry has changed and you cannot think that what happened in '90s or in 2000s is the same that's gonna happen in 2010, you know? And I was, I felt like a responsibility to be part of this changes, you know? And I thought from the beginning until that, you know, today I feel, we all feel free to talk about it without getting, like, insults, you know, from some people. Chioma Nnadi: Do you think the conversation has moved on? I mean in, it's still an issue everywhere, obviously, in the fashion industry I think it's... But are, you know, I hope that the conversation is evolving. Do you think things have move forward in- in France? Olivier Rousteing: I think it's changing. But I think there's a lot of fake in all those changes. And I- I'm sad to say but I think America has evolved much faster than- than France in that sense. Now, still many, many a lot of problems in America, so I'm not saying there are none. Where in France, the country which is my country, obviously, that I love. But there is a reality where there is a lot of snobbism in France. I don't know if snobbism is the right word. Chioma Nnadi: I think like we would say snobbery. But I actually really prefer snobbism. Olivier Rousteing: Snobbery, sorry. Chioma Nnadi: [laughs] Olivier Rousteing: There is so much snobbery that they just don't wanna mention the problem because they keep thinking, oh, there is never a problem here. Oh, no, we didn't face racism. Or no, no, no, no, no. They keep saying that, you know? Which is not true. And that's the problem of the country. But that's not there is only racism. There's as well the obsession of expertise slash age. So that's when when I started Balmain at 24, you know, I could see older people saying, "Let's see." You know? "He's gonna learn." And, like, sometime my interview was more about teaching me than actually listening to what I have to say. So it was not really a conversation it was just, like, more we're gonna teach you who you're gonna be. And there is one thing that I want to learn, it's from people with expertise, obviously. But there's one thing that I don't wanna hear, is that you gonna create the picture of what you want me to be. Because this is something that is, that, there's no freedom in that. And they put you in a box and they want you to become that. And this is something that I refuse to be. France is my strength because there's so much incredible heritage that I'm talking about. And- and this is something amazing from French houses, from the country, the culture. But I think sometime heritage can become really heavy because they feel that they need to repeat what they have learned. And what I do with my show, it's a show that is about taking the heritage of the past, being the black boy of today and say this was in 1945. I take the DNA of 1945, which if I was in 1945 I could never, ever have that podcast with you. But basically telling, I'm taking the DNA of 1945, bring it to- to the world to then say, this was Balmain. But with my hand become this Balmain. And this is really important. And I don't believe, you know, people that just keep talking about future and future and future. I mean the future has a nonsense if there is no past. Chioma Nnadi: Yeah. No, for sure. I mean speaking of the past, um, h- where was your, where did you get your love of fashion? You know, tell us how you fell in love with fashion. Olivier Rousteing: My grandma first because she was obsessed with fashion. She was always, you know, having those, uh, trench coats, you know, like the great makeup, Chanel bags. Like she had Sarong, she had Balmain, like, vintage, you know, it was really interesting to see her wardrobe. You know, she was so obsessed with beauty and fashion. She was the only one from the family in- in love with fashion. And she made me love fashion from a young age. She was the one to bring me to go shopping, you know, when I was such a baby. You know, and I, she made me clearly love fashion. Which at one point my mom told her, "Thank you because now he just wanna spend money on fashion and clothes." It's... And after, you know, she was buying me books. And so th- I start to discover the history of, you know, Coco Chanel, uh, I start to discover the history of Mr. St. Lauren, and Cristobel Balenciaga. Like Karl Lagerfeld, you know. So I was just, like, obsessed and curious about, you know, all those incredible people that built houses and build the world of fashion. But I didn't really think that I could become a fashion designer because, you know, in some time in- in your life you don't know if your passion can become your job. At one point, my parents they- they asked me to go to a shrink because I was so lonely and always in my bedroom sketching that they thought, uh, you know, I was just maybe, you know, I had, a- a problem with communication. It's not that I have a problem with communication, it's just that I love dreaming. And when I sketch I just dream and I just escape. I don't know it's my human nature, you know, it's who I am. But, um, and I keep doing that in a way. Because I love just working in my house in my office until night or the weekend. And just sketch and create my collection on my own. And just being, dreaming, you know? Just dreaming about- about a collection. Chioma Nnadi: Speaking of Karl, you had a friendship with Karl. Karl also was at the house of Balmain once upon a time. Tell me a bit about your, um, friendship with Karl and how you met. Chloe Malle: Karl Lagerfeld just- Chioma Nnadi: My bad. Chloe Malle: ... 'cause we hadn't said his last name. Chioma Nnadi: Karl Lagerfeld. Chloe Malle: Karl to us but... Olivier Rousteing: There's only one Karl in fashion. [laughs] I mean I wish I could say it's a friendship. I mean we obviously knew each other. But I mean maybe not as best friends, unfortunately. But, uh, I have to say that I- I have met him many times. And he always been nice, he always been really supportive and always been giving me the good, the good words, you know? Show me the direction. But, um, you know, I think Karl is one of those men in fashion that made me love fashion even before fashion. Karl has been a guide in my mind even if I didn't know him, of why I love fashion. I love fashion because it create a timelessness. I love fashion because it define, it define its own rules of what is luxury. I think what I loved about Karl is that I think he was a man that was tough on people as much as he was tough on himself. His loyalty to his team is something that shows you the personality he was. 'Cause when you have a team that stays with you for more than two, three, four, five, six, 10 years, you know what it means? It means that you're a good person. You're- you're- you have a good soul. And Karl had a good soul because his team stayed loyal to him. Chloe Malle: For people who don't know, will you just tell us what it means to be the artistic director or a creative director? And what is, what is your day-to-day schedule look like and your routine? Olivier Rousteing: Basically to me being a creative director, it's to be a leader of your own rules, and your own DNA, and your own codes, and your own vision of fashion. Uh, and imagine it. And I think that's what for me is being creative director. You have your own imagery, you have your own aesthetic and you push to the maximum until that people will recognize something and say, "Oh, this is Balmain. This is, uh, Chanel, this is Dior, this is..." You know? Like this is the beauty of creating a DNA, a strong DNA. F or me to say what being creative director is to create a business based on an aesthetic that you own, you're the leader of that aesthetic. But at the same time you are a leader of a team and you're gonna fight for your team till the end. Because they're gonna be with you, supporting you. So your team becomes your family. And that's being a creative director. Chioma Nnadi: So what do you do when your... What do you do for fun? How do you have work life balance? Olivier Rousteing: You know, I mean, I mean people keep asking me, do you enjoy life? I do enjoy my life. I mean my life not has to be based only on holidays and dreaming of being on the beach. I mean I keep my smile every morning that I wake up and I go to see my team. You know, I- I'm so lucky as a person because I love the people that I'm surrounded by. Um, I love, I... They are my- my family, you know. It's another adopted family to me. And I just love my work. And I love building dreams, you know? I think my partner is Balmain right now. You know? And I mean as every partners, you know, until that you have, uh, you have the smile when you wake up. I mean it will be your partner and you share the bed. But will let you know that there is something that goes wrong, you know, you- you change partner or you change life. But until that I have the smile when I wake up in the morning and I wanna share more challenges. I mean and I have the freedom to be myself. This is definitely a relationship that I love. Chioma Nnadi: I mean, I was, I was kind of horrified to hear that a few years ago you suffered a really, you know, awful fire- fireplace explosion that left you with burns. You know, h- how was the recovery for you? Olivier Rousteing: Oh. Um, it was hard. It was hard because I mean I think you told me my life is a movie, it's definitely a movie if you think about it. Because, you know, I woke up in the morning and I just was completely burned. My face, my- my upper body, like, it was terrible. Um, think I was feeling more shame because I was, like, what's people gonna say? And I always, you know, I'm, at Balmain I'm always really, like, trying to be a superhero and not fail. N- never failing, never falling. Always being on top of my game. And this time I felt, like, so weak, you know? So fragile. And so my doctor that was treating my burns, he saw me crying in his room. And he's like, "Olivier, why are you crying? Explain me why." I'm like, "'Cause I always thought I was a superhero." And he looked and me and he say, "There is no superhero without scars." Chloe Malle: Wow. What a poetic doctor. Chioma Nnadi: Mm-hmm. Olivier Rousteing: I think he was one of the best doctor that I had in my life. And I believe in destiny, you know? And I think what happened to be was for a reason. Because maybe whatever God or whoever is checking on me saying, "You know, you need to stop and realize the chance and the luck that you have in your life. The happiness that you have and the joy. And you should enjoy every day. And don't forget that there's nothing guaranteed." So enjoy even more every second of your life. Because tomorrow everything can stop. And so when I came back to the office, I saw my team because, you know, I was wearing a beanie because all my head was burned. Like my ears were burned, I was wearing a turtleneck because my neck was burned. And I think, you know, I was just, like, hi- I was hiding from the world. Actually not a weakness but a new strength. A new sense of beauty, a new sense of acceptance. Chioma Nnadi: Oh. Olivier Rousteing: You know? Chioma Nnadi: Yeah. Moments like that make you just rethink your e- the way you look at the world, right? And the way you look at your own life and your mortality. And I think so many people have that moment of when you're young you feel so invincible. Right? And it takes a moment like that to really stop you in your tracks. Olivier Rousteing: It's- it's tough because fashion they teach you to become so, what I would say, perfect in a way. You know, they put you in that box and you need to behave in that way. And- and with social media as well, you know, you need to be perfect in so many ways, you know. And in responding to people of always your happiness, you know. And I think that's what I think hurt me the most because in moment of sadness I tried to pretend to be happy. It was hard. It was... Chioma Nnadi: Well I think you need a moment to process something like that. No? You know? And I think you've been, you've spoken very candidly since. And, um, and we appreciate your openness 'cause it can't be easy. Olivier Rousteing: They told me I've been really lucky because they told me you could have died from this accident. And so, again, I really thank God or... But, you know, we are here today. And enjoying life together. And there is much more to come, so it's great. Chioma Nnadi: We love how you always surprise us. So we are- Chloe Malle: Yes. Chioma Nnadi: ... excited for, we're excited for what's to come. Chloe Malle: Thank you so much, Olivier. Chioma Nnadi: Yeah. Chloe Malle: This has been such a treat. Chioma Nnadi: It's been really, it's been really great. Thank you. Olivier Rousteing: Thank you so much. Really. Chloe Malle: The shows in Paris are always incredible 'cause they're in such spectacular venues. In New York it's like a, some old warehouse that used to have dead cow, you know, hooves. And, uh, in Paris it's at, like, the Petit Palais. Chioma Nnadi: I know, I know. It is... There's a grandeur about it that doesn't get old. I mean just walking, you know, across the Tuileries or anywhere in Paris you're suddenly like, wow. You know, there's so much history here. It's pretty exciting, not gonna lie. And it never gets old. I'm always like, oh, I'm in Paris. Chloe Malle: You should do, you should feel that way. Chioma Nnadi: I think I'm gonna pop a baguette under my arm. Chloe Malle: [laughs] Well, a Fendi baguette. The Run-Through with Vogue is a Conde Nast production. I'm Chloe Malle. Chioma Nnadi: And I'm Chioma Nnadi. And we will see you next week. Chloe Malle: A bientot.