She may hail from the Swiss Alps, but 24 year-old street-style muse and burgeoning stylist Ursina Gysi is all Parisian rock’n’roll chic. With the past four years spent assisting the ever-inspiring fashion icon and super stylist Camille Bidault-Waddington, Gysi has very recently taken the brave leap into solo work – and we are eagerly anticipating the results. The Paris-based gal known for her uniquely whimsical, modern-bohemian style (her wardrobe is comprised largely of vintage favourites, her boyfriend’s shirts and her own hand-made wonders), gives RIKA a glimpse into her rose-coloured world. Interview by Indigo Clarke.
What has it been like to assist the wonderful Camille Bidault-Waddington?
Ursina Gysi: A mutual friend introduced me to Camille four years ago, that's how we met and started working together. Although it was hard work it was efficient and we had heaps of fun. I just very recently stopped working with Camille, so now I am styling and have more time to work on my own projects.
You have very effortless and whimsically 70s-inspired personal style... How do you go about putting your eclectic looks together?
Ursina Gysi: I am slightly neurotic when it comes to buying clothes. My wardrobe is a mess between my boyfriends shirts, a rather big archive of vintage pieces and a few contemporary pieces. I know everything that's in my closet so I choose what I wear based on the situation.
What is it you love most about fashion and that drew you to work in the industry?
Ursina Gysi: I grew up in the Swiss mountains where fashion is defined by practicality –you can tell exactly what a person does for a living based on their clothes. Subconsciously this led to my practical wardrobe. In my teenage years I started designing snowboarding clothes. After I moved to Zurich in my early twenties it was more of a series of coincidences and an interest in fashion that led me to Paris working in fashion.
Are you inspired aesthetically by living in Paris? Your approach to 'style' seems quite different to the traditional Parisian girl...
Ursina Gysi: I am influenced by my history and my surroundings in my daily life, so there is a little bit of Parisian girl style in there I think, but it doesn't define it.
What makes Paris a great city do you think?
Ursina Gysi: Paris is my favourite city because it has an incredible attitude towards work and experimentation that makes me constantly try and do new things.
What inspires or motivates you and your work?
Ursina Gysi: What motivates me are my friends, they all work in different fields and inspire me. Whenever I see things, whether good or bad, it makes me want create things that are just as good or even better.
What music have you been listening to lately? Favourite film? Favourite book? Favourite poem?
Ursina Gysi: I have so many favourites – here are a few… Book: ‘Remainder’ by Tom McCarthy. Music: Morrissey, Frank Ocean, James Pants, James Brown, Space Ghost Purrp and Erothug. Movies: Rumble Fish and Project X.
What do you have on the horizon for 2012/2013?
Ursina Gysi: Now I have time to actually do the things I only had time to think about before. So, I am starting on some new interesting projects and will see where they lead me…