7 golden rules: Clara Paget on self-care, style and sustainability
Actor, model and multi-creative CLARA PAGET has traversed screens, catwalks and red carpets alike. As she showcases Salvatore Ferragamo’s spring summer 2021 collection, she shares seven golden rules, from streamlining her style, to the advice she would give her younger self
On doing what she loves and going with the flow
“I feel at home on a dance floor, listening to music, and especially live music. The same goes for being on set. I feel confident when I’m able to do what I love most. I’ve been doing a fair bit of breath work during lockdown and it’s helped me to stay grounded and confident when [life] as I knew it was suddenly taken away. You can’t control what’s going on, but you can choose how you deal with it.”
On feeling her most creative
“I’ve been journaling, doing three pages of A4 every morning, without fail – I started doing this when reading The Artist’s Way. I would say it has really opened up my creativity during lockdown. It’s basically a stream of consciousness. I’ve started writing stories and even picked up my old drawing pencils since. I find myself being a lot more present and the rest sort of flows from that space.”
On finding inspiration from nature and history
“I don’t think I’ve ever observed the changing seasons like I have during this pandemic. I’ve been walking a lot, taking in as much of the natural world as possible. I would definitely say I’ve found huge inspiration and have been hit with new ideas while doing so. I think it’s when my over-thinking brain is inactive that the ideas really flow. I also get into this creative state with music. I’ve been learning to DJ in the past year, predominantly Jungle and Drum and Bass; the drums definitely inspire and resonate with me. There’s a great book, When the Drummers were Women, which taught me that, for more than 3,000 years, the primary percussionists in the ancient world were women. I love that women are reclaiming the drum [now]; it’s in our blood. I find that very inspiring!”
“You can’t control what’s going on, but you can choose how you deal with it
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On streamlining her style
“I’m equally comfortable dressed up as I am in a full tracksuit and trainers. I truly love both. I have streamlined my wardrobe over the years (thank you, Marie Kondo, though there is still a fair way to go!), to make sure I have the staples I want to then mix and match with fun pieces when I feel like it.”
On championing sustainability in her fashion choices
“Salvatore Ferragamo was a pioneer of sustainable fashion, using local and natural materials. It’s great to see the brand aligning itself with this now, at such a crucial time. It leads the way positively for others.”
On discovering what makes the most beautiful endings
“As much as I love using my imagination, when it comes to watching or reading a story, I definitely seek a good conclusion. Something that really loses my interest, for example, is when a fantastic series drags on and on. All good things must come to an end.”
“I think I’ve always been empathetic, but I realize now, more than ever, that people are going through their own internal battles… so it’s important to stay kind
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On realizing the lessons she would teach her younger self
“I try not to live in the past. But I’m sure I used to be much more judgmental. I think I’ve always been empathetic, but I realize now, more than ever, that people are going through their own internal battles that I have no idea about, so it’s important to stay kind and open-minded to everyone… Oh, and also to wear SPF.”