Parris Gordon, Designer & Creative Director of Beaufille

One look at Parris Gordon and you feel like you have been transported to the 1970's. Then you hear her deep yet soft voice, a slight drawl in her way of talking, feel her feminine, easy going vibes and you get the inkling that she might be Joni Mitchell's and/or Stevie Nicks long lost granddaughter. 

Parris is Creative Director/Designer of a fashion brand that her and her sister Chloé started called Beaufille (which translates to "handsome girl"). I have worn their pieces and they have a way of making you feel just that - strong, almost heroic, & empowered, yet feminine. When I first met Parris and her duly authentic, smart and beautiful sister Chloé they were doing fashion shows in Toronto, and starting out. They are now killing it (insert VOGUE article) on an international level with the likes of Lady Gaga, Selena Gomez, and Kendal Jenner rocking their pieces. I have seen how incredibly hard they both work, and it makes me so happy to see the fashion world falling just as hard in love with what they create.

T: Do you have any wellness rituals you have incorporated into your busy schedule? 

PG: Incorporating wellness rituals into my day is a practice I prioritize! It's just as important as working at building my company and largely what makes that possible. I'm a morning person so I get up early, move (running or a yoga/pilates strength workout), mediate (5 or 10 minutes whatever I have time for), make and enjoy my breakfast at home and then head to work. Lunch and dinner are usually homemade as well- it's really important to me to make time to do this! It is a creative pleasure of mine and also ensures I'm eating things I feel good about. 

T: Do you have any words of wisdom for women trying to find balance between taking care of their business and taking care of themselves?

PG: Make it happen. You do have time in the day for all the things that you want to do. Taking care of yourself allows you to take care of everything else! 

T: Working in fashion, an industry that can have very critical standards of how women should look, is there anything you do to protect yourself from that and stay healthy emotionally?

PG: I definitely struggle with insecurity in this regard - but I think it's important to remember that you're never going to look or be like anyone else but yourself - so make the most of you and work hard at self love. One of my favourite quotes is: "Be yourself; everyone else is already taken" - Oscar Wilde. In my brand we celebrate women who embody this. 

T: When you are designing with women in mind, how do you want them to feel in your pieces?

PG: Badass, confident, unique and loved. 

T: You have been through the ups and downs of starting something from scratch and you guys have managed to stick with it and are now seeing great success. Any tips on how to stay motivated and keep moving forward when you come up against obstacles?

PG: Honestly, just keep going! You only fail if you chose to - if you chose to stop. There are many moments where you are ready to throw the towel in and if you just hang on, things will turn a corner or work out in your favour. Put in what you want to get out, and remember that life isn't linear- nothing ever stays the same!

*If you share a love of jewelry I highly recommend stalking Parris' IG for inspo!*

www.instagram.com/parriscgordon

www.instagram.com/beaufille