What is the best thing that I love about my work? The creativity. I love to brainstorm on a concept and see it taking life. I love the energy there is around brand creation, work with the teams of architects, designers, the Chefs…

What is my idea of perfect happiness? This is hard to answer, and quite subjective. For me perfect happiness is feeling good about yourself. Feeling you are the right person at the right place and the right moment.

What is my greatest fear? That my children will have a dark future and never grow up as I grew up as a child.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? Many I guess! But I suffer most from not making enough time for me and my family, I’m always rushing things. It’s irritating for those around me, but it’s also killing me.

Which living persons in my profession do i most admire? I get inspiration from many people around me, not just a single one. But I get more inspired by people who save lives, those who take risks and fight for others. I get inspired by people who accomplish their dreams, those who try to change things, and shake up conventional thinking. I admire audacity and perseverence.

What is my greatest extravagance? To take a flight to NYC just for the weekend and party with friends.

On what occasion would I lie? I don’t like to hurt, so I could lie on such occasions. Or the little things, you know, things you forget to say…

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work? I am not a big fan of obstacles. And things that take time. I don’t like to fight and I hate it when it’s not flowing.

When and where was I the happiest, in my work? Every time, at the opening of one of my concepts. It’s like childbirth, after months of pregnancy, you discover the face of that baby you have been carrying all along, and you forget the nausea of the first months.

If I could, what would I change about myself? I would definitely be 25 years old. Like forever.

What is my greatest achievement in work? The fact that I am doing exactly what I wanted to. I custom-made my dream job. To be passionate about my work makes me happy. It was a long path and took me time but today I can say that I do what I love and I love what I do.

Where would I most like to live? NYC, I miss it. I love the good vibes of this city. The energy, the life, the river.

What is my most treasured possession? I am not very attached to things. I treasure my granny’s earrings, though, and my art collection, because each piece has a whole story behind it, and it’s always about love.

What is my most marked characteristic? I’m a true Taurus. Stubborn some would say, with plenty of energy. I go to the end of things.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city? In Dubai, it’s the sea. I love the ocean, walking barefeet on the beach or going for a swim. I need it to feel recharged, to take my energy and my inspiration. I grew up surrounded by spectacular Nature and I need it in my life. I miss that in Paris.

What is my favourite place to eat and drink, in my city? While I’m in Paris I eat at Wild & the Moon almost everyday. In Dubai, I’ll be in Comptoir 102. I’m very picky on what I eat especially on the quality of restaurant food. I chose to develop concepts for that reason; to bring the guarantee of pure, organic food, prepared with traditional methods. And not only I want healthy, healing food, I am also quite uncompromising on taste.

What books influenced my life and how? The 4 agreements; I try to live by it and repeat them to my kids. When Nietzche wept by Irvin Yalom, the Light Years by James Salter and A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini;

Who are my favorite writers? Romain Gary, James Salter

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day? I can’t choose between Romeo and Juliet (Dire Straights) and Space Oddity (David Bowie). Good thing we only live twice.

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction? Pincess Mononoke

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life? Nelson Mandela, Ghandi, Martin Luther King. But also artists like Jorge Donn or Noureev whose talent always take my breath away. I still have goose bumps remembering Jorge Donn dancing le Bolero de Ravel. So in general, all the people who share emotions through art or dedicate their life to a (good) cause.

Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime? The Salt of the Earth (Wim Wenders and Ribeiro Salgado). For the desolation pictured, but also the hope he tries to convey. It’s a tribute to the beauty of our Planet.

What role plays art in my life and work? In my life it’s a pleasure, a part of our life as a family. In my job I need art too as a boost for creativity, but I am also always on the lookout for artists for my concept store Comptoir 102. We exhibit work from young artists and designers during the art fairs.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime? My husband. He is all that, yes. Or maybe my kids? Or is it my dad?:)

Whom would I like to work with in 2017? For our next locations I would like to work with Festen Architecture and KO Studio architects. I dig their work.

Which people in my profession would i love to meet in 2017? I would love to work with designers like India Mahdavi, Patricia Urquiola, Axel Vervoordt, Isamu Noguchi, Paola Navone. And of course Jean Prouve and Charlotte Perriand too, if they were still alive!

What project, in 2017, am I looking forward to work on? We are working on the opening of a new Wild & the Moon in NYC and new locations in Paris and Dubai.

Where can you see me or my work in 2017? In Dubai, in Comptoir 102 and Wild and the Moon. In Paris, at Wild & the Moon (2 locations and one coming soon). And in NYC, Wild & the Moon coming very soon

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me? It’s a fact; passion burns inside until the last day. You need to live your life passionately, go and live your dreams, in every area of your life, let it be love, work, friendship. My dream is for healthy fastfood to be as widespread as junkfood. I want Wild & the Moon to be the Starbucks of Healthy and Organic food. I will likely not retire before it happens.

Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story? India Mahdavi

How can you contact me?

emma@wildandthemoo.com

emmat@comptoir102.com