The woman
As she considers life, above all, to be a question of stories, whether they are told or passed down, it is only natural that the 29-years-old Mathilde Warnier decided to become an actress. Retro, free and romantic, this adopted Parisienne lives with fire and ice. There is something both innocent and sexy about her and her style reflects that both on the screen and in real life.
An actress
“Cinema has been my life since I was 15 years old.” It all began in high school, when, along with her twin sister and a gaggle of friends, she spent her days at the movies. “It was our whole life, we only thought about cinema, lived cinema, breathed cinema.” A few years later, the entire group was working in the film industry. Acting was not such an obvious choice, since she was supposed to be a producer. Until one day, she found herself auditioning for a casting, and the magic happened. Mathilde Warnier was to be an actress. “I had forgotten myself, and becoming someone else, telling stories, is really about discovering yourself."
On screen
It’s hard to miss the mini-series in which she plays a leading role alongside Tahar Rahim. Soon to be on Netflix and now on BBC One, The Serpent tells the story of the escape, and consequent capture of one of the most elusive criminals of the 1970s, named Charles Sobrajh. Mathilde plays Nadine Gires, the serial killer’s neighbour and friend, who conducts an investigation alongside the police.
Fashion
“I love fashion because I feel it is a continuation of the essence of a person, in everything we want to hide, to expose, to be. And getting dressed is first and foremost about taking on a character." Just like cinema, fashion tells stories. The ones Mathilde has been passionate about since childhood, both in writing and drawing, another passion which she is keeping – almost – secret for the moment. Her great-grandparents were lace-makers: “Sewing was their life. I was taught to sew even before I knew how to write.” In her family, dressing well is a matter of politeness: “You can dress up your emotions so as to not have to impose them on people.”
Style
Instinctive, with no hard and fast rules. It’s above all a question of fantasy and having fun. Mathilde doesn’t have any mirrors at home, except for the one in the bathroom. “I see my outfits as uniforms, like a suit to face the day.” On paper, this consists of a good mix of masculine basics: jeans, suit trousers, oversized jackets, turtlenecks and knitwear galore, which she likes to mix with strong pieces to make a bit more of a statement. “If I’m wearing a piece of clothing that is a bit more serious, it’s always paired with a humorous detail, at least at the time.” Any examples? Some slightly crazy boots, a Parisian scarf, a pink coat or a red bucket hat.
Femininity
A complicated relationship. “I’ve had a lot of trouble with my femininity, I tried to get rid of everything that could label me as a naïve young woman. I’ve worn a man’s suit so that people would listen, rather than look at me." Today, at the dawn of her thirties, she wants the opposite, to let go of the suit which has become her second skin. “I’m getting to an age where I’m becoming a woman and I’m asking myself what kind of woman I want to be. I no longer want to hide myself.”
First fashion memory
Her sister’s fashion books, and especially the Saint Laurent woman photographed by Newton. “When I was young, my sister studied fashion and she was really talented. So talented that I've always leafed through her books, her drawings, and her pins…"
Interior decor
Having recently moved into her “Polly Pocket” apartment, as she likes to call it, Mathilde has had to start back from zero. "I left a lot of my things behind. Today, I don't have very much stuff. It’s really not that bad.” Having moved after a breakup, she sees it as a new story to put down on paper. “My apartment is a bit like a new start, a blank page, a transition. An opportunity for me to reinvent and find myself.” And so she bargain-hunts, largely online, and plays with her space to make her furniture elements of decoration as well as functional storage. She makes it a point of honour to make books and verdant plants central features of her new beginning.
Essential Basics
- Well-cut jeans (Isabel Marant Etoile, A.P.C. and right now Ribcage by Levi’s)
- Suit trousers (Celine by Hedi Slimane, but also styles from & Other Stories )
- A white T-shirt (that she steals from boys or finds at Petit Bateau, UNIQLO, American Vintage, Armor-Lux, it doesn't matter… as long as it’s good cotton and that it's thick.)
- A white shirt (Henriette H, Celine by Hedi Slimane…)
- A cashmere jumper (Barrie, her favorite, FromFuture who make cool and affordable cashmere… And then also vintage pieces or some found in old ladies' shops which offer styles that will last a lifetime.)
- A jacket (Saint Laurent Comme des Garçons, Lemaire…)
- A small bag (not too small, nor too big, nor too gaudy)
- A pair of comfortable shoes (Vivien, Miu Miu, Chanel, Church’s…)
Favorite designers
Saint Laurent, Miu Miu, Celine, Chanel, Max Mara, Lemaire, Comme des Garçons, Barrie, Maison Michel, Henriette H…
Favorite piece
The jackets from her friend Alix Thomsen's old label: “I would have a really, really hard time letting go of mine.”
Jewelry
A passion for pieces from the brand Ana Rivka which she she never takes off, and also little charm by Goossens, who was Gabrielle Chanel's favorite jeweler. She also has a penchant for Charlotte Chesnais's creations.
Bag
“It’s funny, isn't it, the relationship we can have with our bag? As soon as I find the perfect bag, I never take it off..” Right now? A black, rectangular, uber-simple Saint Laurent bag. “It’s big enough for a book, a sketchbook, a pen and a wallet.” What else do you need? She also likes Moynat, Chanel and Miu Miu.
Shoes
A passion. She collects them, particularly the ones which make her laugh. But on a daily basis, she always wears the same styles: Chanel brogues, Converse which she has had for years, Michel Vivien boots. And right now? Nodaleto moccasins with an extra touch of style, to dress up any look when she wants to.
Last Purchase
Furniture. In particular, a little golden brass coffee table from the 1970s, a farm bench, two small Henri II chairs… “I’m so excited to properly settle in..”
Beauty
Her beauty routine consists of 6 steps :
- Avène or Aesop face cleanser
- Avène water mist
- Kat Burki eye cream
- Atoderm emollient cream for atopic skin
- Dermatolagica exfoliating scrub (once a week)
- Dyptique Doson or Chanel n°19 perfume
Make-up
- Tarte or Saint Laurent Concealer
- Dior Backstage ou Saint Laurent Foundation
- Chanel or Stila Blush
- Chanel Eyes
- Hermès or Bouche Rouge Lipstick
Icons
Her friends and Diane Keaton.
Photographer : Adeline Mai
Journalist : Eugénie Trochu
Hair and make-up : Sergio Villafane
Video : Etienne Baussan
Editing : Sofiana Pubill
Production : Mathias Holst
Translated by Isabella Martin and Maria Atallah
