Meet 18 year old Clarisse Lafleur, business student and granddaughter of Jacques Lafleur former New Caledonian president and businessman.
Clarisse left her family home in New Caledonia, to study at the Bond University on the Gold Coast of Australia. Relishing in the beauty of her privately gated residence that is located right beside one of Australia’s most premiere golf courses. Her luxurious home away from home has been more irreplaceable than she ever imagined, as Lafleur was almost instantaneously bewitched by the calm and ravishing lifestyle that it provided. Clarisse is always on her toes, When she is not busy with school she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, traveling, shopping, and playing with her two dogs. We spoke exclusively with Clarisse about all things lifestyle.
What inspires you?
“Passion! It really inspires me. I am inspired by passionate people, they are in love with what they do so they do it well: it motivates me and inspires me to follow my dreams with the same passion. I am passionate about fashion, so I read fashion magazines, I spend hours on Tumblr and Instagram looking for fashion inspirations and ideas.”
What items could you not live without?
“My phone… How cliché is that? I have all my meetings and appointments on my phone, my notes, my music, my photos, my contacts… and of course my social media apps! I use Facebook and Instagram very often, Twitter not so much.
My wallet: I have my ID, my credit cards, my driver’s license… I never leave without it!
My handbag of course! I have several but I think the ultimate item I couldn’t live without would be a handbag. It carries my phone and wallet, my keys and a few other girly stuff like makeup, a scarf, perfume etc…”
Talk me through a day in the life of Clarisse Lafleur.
“Most of the time I am in Australia because I study Business there (at Bond University). I get up at 7am and eat my breakfast: fruits and a glass of iced green tea, then I take my vitamins and I get ready for the day. Most of my classes are in the morning so after I’m done with University, I go to the gym and I train for about two hours! Then either I go back home and study for the next day, or I meet with my friends and we go shopping, have dinner together or go watch a movie! On the weekends I go to the gym in the morning and then I do my things until it’s time to go out! My friends and I love to party: restaurants, nightclubs, house parties, we love it!”
Being a frequent traveler, what have been your favorite destinations and why?
“Paris in summer: Because I have my family and my friends there! And also because the shopping and the museums are amazing! You never get bored in Paris, there is always something to do! And preferably in summer because the weather is much better, the trees have leaves and you can have a picnic in a park or near the Eiffel tower!
Dubai in winter: This city is amazing; I am blown away by what is in Dubai! Everything is bigger, shinier, people are nice and the weather is perfect. It doesn’t matter if you stay in the city or in the desert because both are fantastic. They have the most beautiful hotels. I also added the time of year to visit Dubai because apparently, in summer the heat is unbearable. I went there in winter and the temperature was perfect: warm during the day and cool at night!”
How would you describe luxury?
“To me, Luxury is being able to enjoy life to the fullest without having to worry about anything!”
What interests you most?
“Fashion, business, and dogs! I believe I got these interests from the environment I grew up in! I inherited my passion for fashion from my mother. She is such a fashionista! She always has the best outfits, latest handbags in fabulous colors, perfect jewelry… From a very young age we would read her fashion magazines together and comment on the clothes we saw! Then, I got my love for business from my father. He is a very successful businessman and we have a very similar strong personality. My mother and my brother make fun of us because we both hate to be wrong and always want to be right: it often gets me in trouble when we argue hahaha… And last, but not least: dogs! I grew up surrounded by Labradors; the family’s favorite dogs! I am passionate about dogs, they are the most loyal animals and love their owners unconditionally. At the moment I have two sand Labradors they are 6 and 7 but still act like puppies.”
Who is your favorite designer and why?
“Tough question! I love so many designers for different items! For example, Dior is killing it with their new sunglasses. Balmain creates amazing clothes, thank you Olivier Rousteing! Saint Laurent, Zanotti and Azzedine Alaia are making beautiful shoes… Chanel, Hermes and Céline have the best bags. It is way too hard to pick one!
Without looking at expensive brands, Australian designers also come up with beautiful items: I love Tony Bianco heels, I’m pretty sure I own at least 30 pairs of Tony Bianco shoes. Seafolly makes the best swimsuits, I mainly wear this brand because they always have the best colors for summer and are very durable! And of course Lorna Jane for everything active: my workout clothes are only from Lorna Jane!”
Where to next?
“Europe! I am going to Paris, Venice and the French Riviera in August/September to see my friends, family and of course go shopping… and eat great food! After I graduate from my Bachelor of Business next year I am going to start a Master in Europe, Paris or London… I don’t know yet!”
Visit Clarisse’s Instagram at: www.instagram.com/clarisselafleur
