Khadija Hoops and Palo Verde Posts (links below)

 

Where are you from?
I was born in Paris, but grew up mostly in South West France near Toulouse.

Where do you live now?
I am based in LA, but travel back and forth between Europe and the US.

What do you love most about LA?
Nature.. the outdoor life. It takes me back to my childhood.

 

 

 

What do you do?
I am an artist at heart but also happen to work as a model and an actor.

What do you like most about your work?
I love that I have the choice to go from one career to another. It’s funny, I have worked since I was 16 years old. I modeled fully for twelve years then transitioned into acting, did a few movies in the US, and in between I was always drawing and creating.

When did you start painting?
I have always painted, but when I was 12 years old, I knew that it would be something I would do for the rest of my life.

"I found myself looking for a place of peace. Painting and drawing have the quality of freeing my soul, allowing me to speak my mind." 

 

Thin Naked Toggle Chain, Gold Hoops and Thin Rounded Posts (links below)

Lifegoals?
Ultimately finding happiness is number one, but the journey of how you get there is the most fulfilling. My dreams were very small when I was young, but I happened to have had an amazing life path.

Favorite pastimes?
Of course, drawing would be one, but I also enjoy reading, especially spiritual books and children’s stories.

What inspires you?
Trees and plants. I do feel that we hold the memories of trees in ourselves. The way our veins circulate are very similar to the tree's branches.

What’s up next for you? 
I am currently finishing a children’s story that I drew eight years ago. It took me all this time to rewrite and revisit the story. Writing is something new to me and requires much more attention and focus than drawing. Also, I am off to shoot a CBS TV show in NYC this Fall which I am very excited about.

When are you the happiest?
When I find contentment and the power to change negative into positive. When I am able to transform my thoughts and have less worries. In life, we often let our mind and ego lead us like the blind leading the blind. It feels extremely rewarding when you are able to understand and transform your way of reacting to things. It’s like a little victory within yourself.

 

 

Painting by Loan Chabanol from The Mind Archive Series  

What are your favorite places that you have travelled to and where do you want to go next?
I am in love with Morocco. I went there many years ago for the first time when I modeled for French ELLE. It still has a hold on me. The people, the land and the colors speak to me. I am happy to see it inspired you and your new collection as well!
Also, I would love to go to Vietnam again. It has a deep hold on me as well because of my roots. My father is French Vietnamese and I want to revisit, it’s been awhile and I might experience things differently.

What is your favorite hotel/resort to stay in?
I remember going to Bali and staying at the Four Seasons Resort there. At the time, it was the most beautiful place I had ever seen.

Do ever miss living in Europe/Paris?
Sometimes I do. Especially for the food and the art. I love Paris so much! It is a museum on its own, and I never get disappointed. Every time I go, it still blows my mind.

Do you think you will ever live there again?
Probably. They say that when you get older you always have the need to come back to your roots.

Biggest luxury?
Being able to do a job that you love.

What are some of your favorite books/audiobooks, and films/shows?
The Alchemist by Paolo Cuelho, Notre Dame de Paris by Victor Hugo, The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche, The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. I am a huge fan of old Disney films and cartoons. I love all the hand drawn characters.

What is your favorite music and latest bands?
Ray La Montagne, Damian Rice, Bob Marley…But lately, my boyfriend has been introducing me to a lot of rock and blues which I enjoy very much.

 

 

Diptych  by Loan Chabanol from The Mind Archive Series  

 

Who is your favorite artist, who inspires you?
Paul Klee might be my favorite, because of all the different facets he was able to express and achieve depending on the periods of his life, and what he was going through. He started by doing Satyrs, then drew a series of works illustrating Candide by Voltaire, then Cubism. His diversity showed his talent. He was able to say something different every time and wasn’t afraid of trying something new.

Seen any great exhibits lately?
The last one I saw was the Edward Munch exhibition in London. It haunted me for couple days after seeing it.

What are your rules to live by?
Respect others the same way you would like to be respected.

Do you have a favorite recipe to share? 
I love making Yogurt Cake, my Mom’s cake recipe. It's very simple:

 

 

 Islero Hoops and Double Bangle (links below).

Female hero and why?
Hedy Lamarr. I was very impressed by her story, coming to America with nothing in her pocket and seeing the power of her spirit leading her to continue what she had started. She was not only an actor but an inventor. I love this poem she read to her children, The Paradoxical Commandments by Kent M. Keith:

“People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered. Love them anyway.
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives. Do good anyway.
If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway.
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable. Be honest and frank anyway.
The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds. Think big anyway.
People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs. Fight for a few underdogs anyway.
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway.
People really need help but may attack you if you do help them. Help people anyway.
Give the world the best you have and you’ll get kicked in the teeth. Give the world the best you have anyway."

What would surprise people to know about you?
I try to be in tune with the here and the now. That is what had led to all of my steps until today. I barely watch TV and I have difficulties in socializing…I never drink and have never tried drugs.

 

 

Mounia RIng, Cresta II Ring, and Double RIng (links below).

How do you unwind?
Walk in nature, meditate, listen to Buddhist teachings, and read when I feel the need to.

Do you unplug from devices?
I try to yes. I usually leave my phone and computer outside of my room. I am happy when I don’t have my phone.

How do you take good care of yourself?
I always go to bed early, wake up early, mostly drink water and eat fresh food. I have practiced yoga for years now and definitely support my balance of body, speech, and mind.

When do you feel your best?
When I do things for others.

Beauty routine/skincare regime?
I try to keep my skin away from the sun as much as I can. I use regular organic creams, sun screen and I clean my face with Crealine H2O.

Who is your style icon, and why?
Coco Chanel. Her spirit, class, and determination.

 

 

The & Chain Bracelet, Thin Cuff, Mounia Hoops I and II,  Socorro Diamond RIng and Artemisa Half Ring (links below).

 

Bold or delicate jewelry?
Delicate.

What was your first KC piece and what's next?
My first was a beautiful 14K gold ring Stacking Ring, Thin Gold Cuff and the Thin Gold Chain Bracelet.

What do you like best about KC bags or jewelry?
I love the color tones of the gold and the brass jewelry and the way they're sculpted. They are perfect everyday pieces!