The evening at the FIAF* was billed as Garance Doré in conversation with Scott Schuman, “The Sartorialist.” Of course Schuman, famed for the striking street style images he shares on his blog, is Doré’s boyfriend…

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and on this particular evening, her interviewer.

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The charm of the duo’s repartee made for an intimate and enchanting evening and validated for me what I had already suspected – Doré is the real deal. The woman who hails from the tiny French island of Corsica is down to earth, humble, self-deprecating and ever so gracious. In other words, exactly who she is on her daily fashion and lifestyle blog.

I first discovered Doré several years ago, after accidentally falling into the blogging vortex. I had been blogging under the radar at Le blog de Marie, never intending to come out from behind the curtain. In all honesty I felt a little embarrassed to admit that I, an Emmy Award-winning TV News journalist, had suddenly become a blogger. Blogging became my little secret, a refuge that brought me great comfort as I dealt with a dying parent. Slowly though, I began to discover the behemoth blogging world, and it was Doré’s blog in particular that continually inspired me. Both her aesthetic and writing style spoke to me like no other site had or has and I credit her for my having decided to hang in there and give this medium a go, launching a new site this past August using my real name.

The bulk of Doré’s audience may well be millennials but I have never felt unwanted when visiting her blog. Instead, to me her site has an ageless quality and feels to be a place where women of all ages can join in the conversation – a place where everyone  is welcome.

Of late Doré has realized some big dreams, launching her own paper line collection in collaboration with Rifle Paper Co. The line includes stationary, notepads, and iPhone cases that are illustrated with her signature sketches. She also has a new e-commerce site – GaranceDoréGoods.com, where you can purchase her prints, posters and a vast array of personally selected lifestyle items. And this past weekend New Yorkers were treated to a special pop-up studio where they were able to shop Doré’s collection, attend various workshops, and meet the blogger in person.

As for my evening at the FIAF, it was engaging and entertaining, and in true Doré fashion, filled with some fabulously funny asides. Here are some of the highlights…

On learning how to turn dreams into reality at a young age…

I was with a bunch of friends on the beach just hanging, and we kind of dreamed a project of selling croissants to the people who had their boats in the water around the village. That was my first official job – to sell croissants on a boat with my girlfriend…I really worked and was really successful.

On learning to follow her heart, even when a computer test told her otherwise…

I took a computer test to find out what my job should be. I was very hopeful, but the result was taxidermist.

On becoming an illustrator:

One day I met an illustrator and decided I could make that work. I had a job three days a week, and all the other days were for training myself.

On becoming a blogger…

I thought if I posted an illustration every day on the blog it would be great training, and I’d also get comments from people.

Early style stories…

In Marseille, I was the best dressed girl around. Then I moved to Paris. It was a disaster.

Present day style stories…

 I have one closet of grey knits. I have 15 pairs of white jeans. I’m obsessive. I just like to feel well-dressed.

Schuman and Doré on her “method”…

Schuman: When she’s writing – silence. There has to be…I can’t breathe, I can’t watch TV, I can’t turn on the faucet.

Doré: The other day I was writing , and he came in the room…

Schuman: Just to move some books!

Doré: And I was like, “How long are you going to move those books for?”

Schuman: So writing needs to be totally silent.

Schuman on blogging…

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best advice grAs the evening came to a close, Doré stepped to the edge of the stage, bent down and extended her hand to shake mine. Relaxed and unassuming, she looked directly into my eyes and conversed with me in such a genuine manner that it actually felt like it mattered to her that I had taken the time to say hello. Perhaps it is Doré’s unique brand of authenticity that has inspired me to come out of the shadows and reinvent myself yet again. In the end, that’s what it’s all about – inspiring others to be the best they can be.

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*French Institute Alliance Francaise

Garance Doré.Com / The Sartorialist