BÉNÉDICTE BURGUET-JOURNÉ
Free to move
Parisian journalist Bénédicte Burguet-Journé likes to wander the streets of the capital without the constraint of a handbag. Let's take a closer look at the few objects she carries with her.
Fiercely attached to her freedom of movement, journalist and author Bénédicte Burguet-Journé manages the daily feat of walking around Paris without ever being (over)loaded. Here she shares her secrets for travelling light!
Who are you?
I am Bénédicte Burguet-Journé, journalist, head of the beauty, fashion and jewellery sections at Vanity Fair. I am also the author of a first book "What is it about Paris & Fashion" published in January 2020. As a Parisian, I grew up near the Parc Monceau, a place I particularly like and where I live today with my husband and our daughter Blanche.
Why don't you use a bag?
For comfort. I'm a great walker, I walk around Paris every day from appointment to appointment or simply for pleasure. Carrying a bag is a hindrance to fast walking. I've always said to myself: if men can be content with their pockets, so can I.
When you use one, on what occasion and what type of bag?
I use either very large bags when I have to take my computer with me or when I travel. Or very small ones as an accessory to my outfit.
A small bag as an accessory ©B. Burguet-Journé
What do you carry in your pockets?
The bare necessities: a phone, AirPods, my keys, a credit card, lip balm.
How do you find your keys?
Very simply because they are in my pocket. Otherwise, when they are in my bag, the key ring "Les Clés" allows me to hang them on a handle. So they are never far away.
In the bag of Bénédicte Burguet-Journé ©B. Burguet Journé
What do you take with you on holiday?
The first items that land in my suitcase are: books, a hat from Estrée or Maison Michel and several tubes of 50+ sun cream. The rest is incidental. I can get by with little: a large white shirt, a pair of unwearable K-Jacques, a black swimming costume...
On holiday ©B. Burguet Journé
An anecdote (a (mis)adventure with a bag ...)?
I don't have many bags, but I treasure the ones I do have. They have stood the test of time, without wearing out (too much). I remember the first one I gave myself. I was 19, it was a Chloé Paddington, at the time when the concept of "it-bag" was born. I waited 2 months before buying it (waiting list). I was so proud of it that I sometimes went out just to parade it around. I still have it, in superb condition and when I look at it I think: my God, it's so heavy, not practical, not very beautiful... But what good memories!
Do Parisian women have a specific relationship with their bags?
Yes, to the extent that they often choose it to be beautiful, of course, AND practical. It seems to me that this notion of practicality is very important in our culture. Freedom (of movement, of thought) is so deeply rooted that it is also reflected in our dress codes: effortless, little make-up, an easy bag, rather flat shoes, natural hair...
Any last words? (motto, mantra, drawing, photo, anything is possible! )
My mantra - which I got from my mother - and which I repeat to myself every morning: " Invoke the gods only by making an effort yourself; otherwise you will invoke them in vain. »
Thank you Bénédicte!