_Jade Lagardere : a talent to follow

Are you more photo or catwalk?

I was above all a catwalk girl; Victoria’s Secret is my dream! And moreover it’s really in contradiction to the person that I am. I have always been very shy and quite self-critical and modelling has always been a way for me to accept myself. Writing is kind of a painkiller for me, and I could say the same thing for modelling. On a shoot or in a fashion show, I prefer to be completely transformed. Usually they use very nude makeup on me and I don’t like it. It’s strange, because the result is very pretty, but it’s too much “me”. In this profession, I love to play a role. When I’m in front of the camera, it’s not Jade any longer.

Your worst experience in fashion?

I shall always remember a shoot in Spain... We were two models and the client was very demanding. From the first day she kept calling me by the other model’s name. At first I said nothing, then when I reminded her of my name, she replied: “ It’s the same thing”. Everything went wrong; she never stopped making unpleasant comments. At one point I wanted to call her and I used the wrong name. She corrected me, and then I said: “It’s the same thing isn’t it?” There was a silence; then she smiled. In the end, the photo shoot went well!

The best?

Doing a shoot for Blush!

You write comic books. Tell us about it…

I’ve written scenarios since I was very small; it was my way of expressing myself. This passion returned in 2013 when I was expecting my second daughter, Mila. I felt the need to write again; then I created the character of Amber Blake. Amber, because my second name is Ambre and for Blake I simply began with the word “black” in English because it’s quite a sombre story. In this comic book, I evoke all the subjects that have always concerned and appalled me: rape, paedophilia, drug addiction, prostitution, human trafficking... I wanted to treat it in an entertaining way since I think this is a good approach to discussing such  subjects. The positive side of all that is that Amber Blake is a very strong person, who manages to overcome whatever she has lived through. It is also a message of hope.

In fact, Amber Blake also  illustrates the ills of our society, doesn’t she?

I receive many messages from people affected by this story. Amber Blake brought a certain distress to light and they could not finish it. However, readers told me: “Thank you, Jade, it’s true, we must go on fighting  and not give up.”

How do you feel about the media coverage of your marriage to a CAC-40 top executive?

In the early days, I took it very badly. We were hounded because of the difference in our ages and height... People love to stick labels on others, but we all do it, so I can’t blame them! I really suffered from it, but now, seven-and-a-half years later I can step back from it. When you know me, you realise that I am not like the image I reflect!

Your plans?

Besides modelling, Glenat Publishing is releasing volume II of Amber Blake in June. It’s available on line, at the Fnac, in all good bookshops and supermarkets, for example. It’s quite easy to find. I just finished writing Volume III. We are also talking about publishing it in the US. Now my most important project is to produce Amber Blake as a TV series or a feature film. I would love to give my character that gift!

by Laure Delvigo
Photo Sandra Fourqui.