5 years of Marigold: 5 women who inspire us
Yes, Marigold is already blowing out its five candles! And because five years is a big celebration, Marilyne and I surveyed five completely different women, but who all share one thing in common: they are incredibly inspiring.
Passionate, talented, on-trend, dedicated and generous: now is the time to (re)discover them. Take notes, the next few lines are full of wisdom, good advice, and goosebump material .
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARIGOLD!!!
Debbie Zakaib
Managing Director of the Metropolitan Fashion Cluster
You are constantly in contact with big names in fashion from here and elsewhere. How do you handle all this pressure?
I feel very privileged to be part of the great family of the Grappe mmode and to be able to participate in this beautiful movement of mobilization and collaboration undertaken by the actors of the Quebec fashion industry. It's a chance for me to learn from the people I work with and to always grow. It's so motivating!
During a meeting, when I have the opportunity to share my passion for the industry, to express my convictions, to discuss promising projects, I become really enthusiastic, expressive and smiling. Because I really believe in what I do. It gives me so much energy and confidence.
Of course, before a presentation, I really prepare a lot. I try to anticipate all questions and objections and put myself in everyone's shoes to understand their position. I also allow myself to be in a state of vulnerability, accepting to be wrong, not being perfect and asking for advice. We are all different and I tell myself that deep down, I am the best person to be myself: “Be yourself. Nobody does it better. »
What's the most important lesson you've learned since starting your tenure with the Metropolitan Fashion Cluster?
I really like this quote from Robert Louis Stevenson that guides my personal and professional life: “The important thing is not the destination, but the trip itself.”
Which woman do you admire?
I really have a hard time choosing just one person; there are so many people in the world who show great courage in their daily lives, but who are not necessarily famous and who surely never will be.
Near me, several people inspire me for different reasons, but there is one that I deeply admire, it's Daphnée, my 15-year-old girl of love. It's my ray of sunshine. His energy is contagious. Daphnée is for me a source of inspiration, an exceptional model of strength, courage, compassion and great resilience.
Bee Gelinas
DJ and entertainer
With all your projects and an atypical schedule, how do you manage to manage the family/work balance?
I don't have a magic recipe, but I couldn't do it without the help of my family! It's true that I have an atypical schedule and that often leads to times when my husband arrives at home and I have to leave for work.
Let's say that our little family moments are precious, as simple as they are! For example, families often get together in the evening for supper, but for us, it's often the lunches that bring people together at home. Everyone has to find their own way of working with their own reality ;) Having a child has also influenced my career choices since it's no longer my job that comes first, it's him.
You are still very active on social networks: how would you describe your relationship with these platforms?
Two years ago, when I was still new to the world of parents, I met a group of moms via Instagram who wanted to share their good (and not so good) moves, so we created a page that call @the.daily.mommy. This platform allowed me to feel less alone and to meet really nice people (in real life!).
Then, it's clear that it takes a big place in my daily life because it's now part of my job (collaborations and promotions) in addition to real life. I think it's still good to pick up at certain times of the day like a few hours before bed or on weekends.
Which woman do you admire?
I admire my single mom friends who make it all happen . I admire female entrepreneurs who have great values and who stick to it . I admire women who say out loud what they think. I admire and respect women who respect each other.
Mariana Mazza
Humorist
You give the impression of having a very solid self-confidence: have you always been like that?
I have always had confidence in myself. Very young, my mother taught me not to mope or victimize myself. When I complained that I was fat or that I didn't like x or y, she would tell me, “You know what you have to do to fix it. Either stop eating cereal that is too sweet, or eat it and assume you're going to be fatter." She never told me what to do, but she wanted me to understand that every action had a consequence.
She also bet a lot on taking responsibility and not giving a damn about what other people think of you. It's all in the attitude. It's saying to yourself: that's my skin, that's my face, deal with it. And today, I deal with. On weak days, I remember that I like to wear nice clothes and show off, so I do it and I'm proud of it. There is no miracle cure. There are no real solutions. There's just you, your body and what you wear to make it even more beautiful and to feel more comfortable. But there will be no easy ones. It's an everyday fight.
What advice would you give to women who are sometimes afraid to say out loud what they think quietly?
You don't have to say anything if you're not ready to defend your words out loud. Me, I say aloud what I am capable of defending. I keep my ideas or opinions quiet until I am sure of my argument.
Which woman do you admire?
I admire my mother. Because my mother she cries from everything, for real. Worse, it's the key to having a beautiful, fulfilling life. She has her weaknesses, but above all she shows her strengths. She does not complain and she goes for it. She doesn't ask permission and sometimes it's awkward, but she kicks down doors like no one else. It is my imperfect model of life. And I like it the same.
Rachel Lapierre
President of the Humanitarian Book
Society has never been so much in search of “happiness” as it is now: we devour books on the subject, we meditate, we travel, we take time for ourselves. What do you think is the key to happiness?
Happiness comes from within. Buying a new car or a sweater will only make you happy temporarily, but doing a good deed nourishes the soul. You can keep it in your treasure chest and it will make you happy for a very long time.
Bring home-baked cookies to a family in need, say hello to someone you don't know, share a meal with a homeless person, or text a lonely person who, happily, will say hello to another, creating an outpouring of kindness . You will see, happiness will warm your heart.
Of all your philanthropic experiences, what is your finest moment?
They are numerous. To hear 27 young people on a humanitarian mission with me sing a lullaby like that, quite naturally, to a lady who was dying in the middle of the street in Calcutta. To see a man who I thought was dead, soiled with flies crawling up his nose, come back to life after being washed, warmed and rehydrated. Seeing a baby, found in rubble in Haiti, being rescued in a makeshift hospital after doing everything to find him a place. Do braids to a hundred orphans who had never experienced this little pleasure. Knowing that a homeless woman who gave birth under a bridge here in Quebec now lives in an apartment and goes to school. To see families find work here after losing everything in war. Serve 450 meals on Christmas Day and give gifts to all those people. It's seeing a tear roll down the cheek of someone you've helped.
I have thousands of memorable moments and I hope they make me a better person.
You, which woman do you admire?
Mother Teresa, no doubt, for her work in Calcutta. She could see all the misery in the world in the eyes of the unfortunate. It's the smallest action done with a lot of love that changes the world.
I also admire all those who fight for their health, to surpass themselves, for their children, for the survival of the earth and especially for peace in the world.
Gaelle Leroyer
Photographer
You first started your career as a blogger. Why did you decide to take the leap as a photographer?
Four years ago, I was at the airport and I had a mega click by seeing a magazine on Peter Lindberg. I found his black and white portraits of women so beautiful. I was fascinated by his images....and suddenly I said to myself “why not me”!
My blog allowed me to really refine my photography techniques. The more I learned, the more I discovered a passion, so why not make a career out of it? I've always loved talking about others in life; the idea of constantly putting myself forward with looks interested me less. I love this relationship with my subjects when I do a photo meeting. The physical proximity of working with a fixed lens, becoming an accomplice with an almost unknown person for an hour or two.
I also like the fact of working with the film and not being able to view my photos on the spot, to have the surprise a few days later. And most of the time, I freak out when I get them!
Is photography still a very masculine universe in Montreal? What does the reality of a female photographer look like?
Yes, it still is a bit. It's an environment mainly dominated by men, but we have excellent photographers like Bianca Desjardins, Maude Arsenault and Oumayma B. Tanfous whom I love and admire a lot. I think that, when you start in this environment, it can sometimes be difficult to have your rights and fees respected. People sometimes try to "pass us one", that's why I got a tattoo on my arm during my last visit to Berlin which means "stay strong"! To not be afraid to assert myself, but also to recognize and communicate my limits.
Which woman do you admire?
I admire many women who are close to me. I have many friends who have extraordinary jobs, who are self-employed like me: stylists, actresses, make-up artists, artistic directors, assistant directors and designers and who excel in what they do. I am thinking among others of Maïna Militza, Olivia Leblanc, Elisa C-Rossow, Ariane Castellanos, Yola Van Leeuwenkamp and Karine Vanasse. It gives me the necessary drive to persevere in my environment and not give up! Because if they can, so can I!
By Joëlle Paquette for MARIGOLD