by L'Exception, on March 20, 2023
L'Exception goes to meet its clients. Today we meet Claire Touzard, writer and client at L'Exception
L'Exception:
Can you introduce yourself?
Claire: My name is Claire Touzard, I'm an author and screenwriter, formerly a reporter.
You've written two books, the first one, Sans Alcool, was a best seller. How do you explain this success? Claire: That's the magic of books, is that you never really know. This book is an alcohol withdrawal book. I quit alcohol three years ago now. I started writing week by week about my alcohol cessation, after twenty years of drinking heavily.
In this book, I've put it all out there: I've been very honest, spontaneous; maybe that's what's been more too. Sobriety speaks to people, especially since many people read it during the period of confinement: it was a way to get back to the essence of things.
The book talks about sobriety, my relationship with alcohol, but also my relationship with materialism. During that time, I needed to find something more real. At the time, I was wearing several hats: I was editor-in-chief of a men's fashion magazine, and I was a reporter on social issues. It was a bit confusing, I was working on lifestyle subjects and then on very heavy subjects, there is a big gap between these two worlds: it was quite strange to live in this ambivalence. With this book, there was a real change in my life.
Do you think this book helped people?
Claire: I received a tidal wave of messages. During the signings, people of all ages came up to me: party-goers in their twenties as well as older people who have been drinking for years. Unfortunately, addiction is something that is fairly universal. In my opinion, we need to talk about it freely, put a face on it, it does everyone good.
Your second book, released at the beginning of the literary season in September, is about the women's press milieu. Can you tell us about it?
Claire: In some ways, it's an extension of my first book. During my reflection on sobriety, I started to think about my relationship to consumption. I'm someone who is easily addicted, whether it's social networks, purchases, objects...
When you're addicted, you inevitably have a lack to fill. This led me to reflect on my relationship to consumption and the world of fashion, which I frequented. It's a questioning of materialism, which stems from our capitalist model.
That big gap I talked about earlier, I evoke it in this book. It's a reflection on neo-liberalism, and how difficult it is to incorporate a thought of sisterhood and feminism in a society of constant competition where individualism is paramount. There's something quite violent about that. The beautiful values that we advocate are clashing with our current system.
You've completely changed your profession. What differences have you noticed?
Claire: Surprisingly, the writing profession is not as quiet and solitary as it seems. There's a fast and sometimes oppressive pace, not unlike that of the editor. There is a lot of promotional time, public speaking, you also have to deal with social media all the time.
Of course, when writing a book, the temporality is not the same, it's a longer time. But we also feel a certain pressure, we must respect certain timing. Sometimes you have to know how to break this rhythm to make better decisions.
Is the writer's style necessarily the black turtleneck, or do you have a particular style?
Claire: I really like to dress up. It is my grandmother who passed on to me this love of fashion and clothes. It's important to me to look stylish, even if I work from home.
I would say I have a rather boyish style, in fact I dress more in men's than in women's. I don't like fitted fashion, I'm more of a fan of clothes with lots of volume. I love pants, shoes, and I love my classics like Paraboot and APC.
You are a customer of L'Exception, what brands do you like at L'Exception?
Claire: I love L'Exception Paris, Patagonia (my spouse is mostly a fan), Paraboot, APC, Carhartt... I really like the workwear style brands.
I also borrowed a lot from the California style: with them, the important thing is to be relaxed!
When I dress, I make sure I have a rather raw, simple base, which I mix with more fashionable pieces. Besides, this rather "traditional" style is coming back today: outdoor and workwear are making a comeback.
I also bring a great importance to the traceability of my clothes, that's why I look at the eco-responsible and ethical characteristics of the brands on the site before making my purchases. Traceability is one of the most important things for me. I don't want to consume fast fashion anymore, for me it's hell. You have to learn to buy less and buy pieces that last. You can make so many outfits with the pieces you already have in your closet!
How was your experience at L'Exception?
Claire: Very good. I have always ordered online and had it delivered to my house every time, it has always gone well.
Claire wears the L'Exception Paris wool twist sweater
L'Exception:
Can you introduce yourself?
Claire: My name is Claire Touzard, I'm an author and screenwriter, formerly a reporter.
You've written two books, the first one, Sans Alcool, was a best seller. How do you explain this success? Claire: That's the magic of books, is that you never really know. This book is an alcohol withdrawal book. I quit alcohol three years ago now. I started writing week by week about my alcohol cessation, after twenty years of drinking heavily.
In this book, I've put it all out there: I've been very honest, spontaneous; maybe that's what's been more too. Sobriety speaks to people, especially since many people read it during the period of confinement: it was a way to get back to the essence of things.
The book talks about sobriety, my relationship with alcohol, but also my relationship with materialism. During that time, I needed to find something more real. At the time, I was wearing several hats: I was editor-in-chief of a men's fashion magazine, and I was a reporter on social issues. It was a bit confusing, I was working on lifestyle subjects and then on very heavy subjects, there is a big gap between these two worlds: it was quite strange to live in this ambivalence. With this book, there was a real change in my life.
Do you think this book helped people?
Claire: I received a tidal wave of messages. During the signings, people of all ages came up to me: party-goers in their twenties as well as older people who have been drinking for years. Unfortunately, addiction is something that is fairly universal. In my opinion, we need to talk about it freely, put a face on it, it does everyone good.
Your second book, released at the beginning of the literary season in September, is about the women's press milieu. Can you tell us about it?
Claire: In some ways, it's an extension of my first book. During my reflection on sobriety, I started to think about my relationship to consumption. I'm someone who is easily addicted, whether it's social networks, purchases, objects...
When you're addicted, you inevitably have a lack to fill. This led me to reflect on my relationship to consumption and the world of fashion, which I frequented. It's a questioning of materialism, which stems from our capitalist model.
That big gap I talked about earlier, I evoke it in this book. It's a reflection on neo-liberalism, and how difficult it is to incorporate a thought of sisterhood and feminism in a society of constant competition where individualism is paramount. There's something quite violent about that. The beautiful values that we advocate are clashing with our current system.
You've completely changed your profession. What differences have you noticed?
Claire: Surprisingly, the writing profession is not as quiet and solitary as it seems. There's a fast and sometimes oppressive pace, not unlike that of the editor. There is a lot of promotional time, public speaking, you also have to deal with social media all the time.
Of course, when writing a book, the temporality is not the same, it's a longer time. But we also feel a certain pressure, we must respect certain timing. Sometimes you have to know how to break this rhythm to make better decisions.
Is the writer's style necessarily the black turtleneck, or do you have a particular style?
Claire: I really like to dress up. It is my grandmother who passed on to me this love of fashion and clothes. It's important to me to look stylish, even if I work from home.
I would say I have a rather boyish style, in fact I dress more in men's than in women's. I don't like fitted fashion, I'm more of a fan of clothes with lots of volume. I love pants, shoes, and I love my classics like Paraboot and APC.
You are a customer of L'Exception, what brands do you like at L'Exception?
Claire: I love L'Exception Paris, Patagonia (my spouse is mostly a fan), Paraboot, APC, Carhartt... I really like the workwear style brands.
I also borrowed a lot from the California style: with them, the important thing is to be relaxed!
When I dress, I make sure I have a rather raw, simple base, which I mix with more fashionable pieces. Besides, this rather "traditional" style is coming back today: outdoor and workwear are making a comeback.
I also bring a great importance to the traceability of my clothes, that's why I look at the eco-responsible and ethical characteristics of the brands on the site before making my purchases. Traceability is one of the most important things for me. I don't want to consume fast fashion anymore, for me it's hell. You have to learn to buy less and buy pieces that last. You can make so many outfits with the pieces you already have in your closet!
How was your experience at L'Exception?
Claire: Very good. I have always ordered online and had it delivered to my house every time, it has always gone well.
To follow Claire on instagram: @clairetouzard
Are you a client of L'Exception and would like to participate in our meetings?Sign up on our email contact@lexception.com
