Interview with Astrid Templier of Lovely Jubbly
Friday 12th November 2010
Here’s Our Interview with Astrid Templier from Lovely Jubbly
Tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from? What’s your educational background? What are your general professional and non-professional interests?
I was born in Paris, and spent most of my life there – I guess it must have influenced my tastes and personal style very much! But I’ve always been curious about living abroad as well: I spent some time in Madrid a few years ago, and I‘ve now been living in London for a bit more than a year. I find it fantastic! The greatest thing about London is that it really frees one to think, to get on with new projects and be creative. I actually started being serious about photography here, and it has nothing but “gotten worse” ever since!
I’ve always been passionate about creativity, kind of in a “brainy” way at first, which led me to studying Literature, Arts, Latin and Greek – and later on Communications. After a few stints in publishing houses in Paris, I started working for a big luxury group in Communications and Training. It’s been 3 years already and it’s really great.
On a more personal side, what really drives me is creativity, and especially visual arts. I have been drawing since a quite young age and I still do. I then discovered photography and really got into it. I find it so relaxing…although very tiring at the same time. When I’m drawing or shooting, I am so concentrated, it feels like being in a whole different world and I love it.
Photography is your passion, how does it come to you?
I see beauty everywhere. The more I take pictures, the more I notice how it can come from the most ordinary and common things of life. I find it so exciting to be constantly surprised by how nice an image can look, that it has really turned to a constant quest for “the beautiful”.
To me, photography is the perfect way to encapsulate my vision of life and express it in the best possible way. That said, it all only makes sense when I can share it with others. This is mainly the reason why I started out Lovely Jubbly.
Where do your inspiration and your imagination come from?
I love portraits and taking photos of people, especially children. To manage to capture an expression, this very fugitive moment when people let the guard down. This is when it really gets interesting.
More generally I am fascinated by colour and shape. I think that anything can be beautiful provided that it’s looked at in the right way. And I think that once you start photography, it utterly changes the way you see things. It develops an eye.
How do you describe your blog LovelyJubbly?
To me, Lovely Jubbly is first and foremost about photography. I see it as the perfect way to share and showcase my work.
The pictures need to speak for themselves; which is why there is almost no text at all, except for the titles of my posts. Each post comes as series revolving around one common theme; usually they reflect quite faithfully how my inspiration functions!
In terms of layout, I wanted to create an environment that felt both clean & simple, and quite personal at the same time; but of course, it’s always a work in progress!
I chose the name “Lovely Jubbly” because it sounds so positive and joyful, almost playful! Also, this blog was born here in London and I wanted a title that would reflect its UK roots. On a side note, being French, I am always keen on learning new English expressions; when I first discovered “lovely jubbly” I had such a good laugh that it became a really good memory.
Your worship garment?
The one I already have: my Marc Jacobs black woollen cape. It just goes with everything. I gives a quite stylish and dressy look but it’s so easy to wear and comfortable at the same time.
The one I would dream to acquire: probably a Hermes bag. Their craftsmanship is astonishing. This House has such a strong heritage, and their leather goods have exactly the right balance between timelessness and modernity.
Who are some of your favorite photographers and designers?
I must say I have some quite eclectic tastes. In terms of photographers, I feel very inspired by the most “classical” and renown ones, such as Robert Doisneau – probably because I’m French! Also Annie Leibovitz is among my all times favourites, she has so much class. American photographer Michael Sokolsky is wonderful. His “bubbles” series have so much poesy. Among the more “fashion” crowd, I particularly love Patrick Demarchelier, David Bailey and Ellen VonUnwerth.
As for designers, on the US side Marc Jacobs – for his own brand – is definitely high up on my list. I also love the Rodarte label, the Mulleavy sisters create such oniric and desirable clothes! Proenza Schouler is one of my favourites too, a “seriously” cool brand for chic downtown girls. On a more Parisian note, I love Alber Elbaz for Lanvin, Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy, and Haider Ackermann, a designer establishing his name with much success: he masters the art of draping and layering so gracefully.
Best advice for people who want to start photography?
I still have everything to learn myself, so I don’t really feel in a position where I could give any advice… just maybe to take every possible opportunity to assist professional photographers on shoots, that’s how one can really learn, and that’s what I am looking for at the moment!
