A beautiful, classic design conceived while its creator was living in Paris, Claudine & Ash’s original baby bag soon became one of the most coveted items on every fashion-savvy mum to be’s wish list. Here, the down-to-earth and downright talented designer behind the brand, Claudine Gasnier, shares with us her fashion and beauty tips and how she best likes to accessorise her scarf this season…
Tell us the story behind Claudine & Ash? What inspired you to start the business?
My husband and I were living in Paris at the time and we started talking about starting our family, a lot of our friends were about to have their first child and I started checking out all their new baby items. I wasn’t very keen on the bags I was seeing and that’s when the idea of designing beautiful leather diaper bags for Mums started.
Claudine & Ash are the home of beautiful diaper and nappy bags, however do women often purchase your bags for other uses?
Yes I often get customers telling me after they have purchased the bag that they didn’t know it was a diaper bag until they pulled out the change matt, that’s the beauty of our bags they are great as an every day bag or a weekender.
We know you live close by to the beach, so what are your beach bag essentials and favourite item to throw on to wear down to the beach?
I would love to say my beach bag essentials consist of a good book a beautiful pair of sunnies, the most luxe wide brimmed hat & a beautiful Missoni beach towel but these days I have three kids running out the door so its what ever snacks I can grab, a bottle of water, a few towels, sunscreen and toys for Buddy to entertain himself with.
How would you describe your personal style?
I like to pull my look from my french roots, think sleek silhouettes paired with a great pair of hoops, also partial to fashion forward active wear to make the workout to school pick up feel a little more chic.
How do you best like to accessorise your scarf?
On my head with a pair of gold hoops to dress it up.
What is your favourite scarf trend at the moment?
I love the look of a scarf wrapped around a bun.
Who are some of your favourite fashion icons of the moment?
Kate Moss always wins she always looks hot.
Read on to learn Claudine’s fashion and beauty secrets, as well as how she best likes to style her Bird & Knoll Morocco Silk Skinny scarf…
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Five beauty products you can’t live without? Ultraderm Skin Renew Cleanser, Cosmedix Define, Cosmedix Hydrate Daily Moisturiser SPF 15, Mac Petal Power Mineralise Blush, Benefit They’re real Mascara
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Hair “done” or messy? Both
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Makeup or no makeup? No make Up
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Favourite fragrance? Chanel Gabrielle
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Favourite item of clothing? Currently, mes Demoiselle Knit
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Favourite fashion brand? Isabel Marant
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Sneakers or heels? Sneakers
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Gym or exercising outdoors? Outdoors (funny how you change as you get older, I use to love the gym)
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Yoga or running? Both
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Healthy eating or treating yourself? Both
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Favourite food? Can”t go past my mums home cooked meals
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Favourite drink? Gin and tonic with my girlfriends
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Best place to eat out? Bistro Boulvard in Avalon
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Last thing you googled? Kate Moss
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Favourite film? Girls Just wanna have fun
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Favourite book? Don’t have one at the moment
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Favourite song? Astronaut (something about your love)
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Living in the city or living by the beach? Beach
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Favourite travel destination? Too many to choose from but now that we are travelling as a family it would have to be the Maldives.
Website: www.claudineandash.com
Instagram: @claudineandash
