In quarantine with Claire Boreau

Where in the world are you?

Paris, France

Are you currently on lockdown?

I am at home, getting myself ready to go to the studio, where I will prepare floral compositions that are going to be delivered today.

Are you alone, or with others?

I am on lockdown with my boyfriend

How are you keeping yourself busy, occupied?

I decided to keep working and organize flower deliveries in Paris to bring some sun and spring in people's apartment, I also wanted to make compositions with 100% local flowers in order to support French producers that are suffering a lot from this crisis. I'm in touch with them to get beautiful seasonal varieties, I take the orders on Instagram and I am very busy at the studio preparing the arrangements. I find myself lucky to be able to keep working... and doing something that people truly enjoy and that I love doing.

What are you finding the easiest/most difficult aspects of social distancing/lockdown?

I miss my parents, I wish I could hug them!

Do you have any positive thoughts on what’s happening?

Regarding my field : I have many thoughts and ideas on how we could make the flower industry more respectful for the environment. This crisis is showing that we have small producers in France that are doing an amazing job and that were are not considering enough. 98% of the flowers you could find in the French shops 2 month ago were growing in Kenya, Equator, Netherland... Florists are starting to wake up in order to support our local production, that is more respectful for our environment : carbon footprint reduced due to less transports, traceability of the products, respect for the European laws for fertilizers and pesticides... etc

Also, we have only seasonal flowers available! And my next goal is to make the public and firms aware that a seasonality exists also for flowers and that we should respect this calendar as much as we try to do it for food!

What new things are you learning during this time?

I'am learning to be more practical and less conceptual in my work and personal life, which means : consuming what I need and doing what I can...

I realized that it doesn't feel frustrating, it's quite the opposite : I feel fulfilling not inventing myself fake needs or expectations. Things are the way they are and we should bring the best out of it! This is my mantra and It can apply with the flower selection I work with, or even the activities I have with my boyfriend at home. It takes some creativity.

In your opinion - how will this period change our lives in the future?

I am afraid things could remain unchanged after a while, it's hard to remain positive because we can't be naive : our societies and economic models are very strong and lifestyle changes can operate easily for privileged people. At the moment things are changing because of individualities getting back a powerful voice as we are all apart, obliged to take a distanced point of vue from the world and lifestyle we used to have. Will it leave a footprint ? That's a question I can't answer.

Are you planning on making any life changes when the virus eventually disappears? A new career-path, focus, or hobby?

I used to work exclusively in the fashion and cosmetic industry. With the flower deliveries I decided to organise, I realized that I missed the contact with customers, I think that I will develop this service because I found very fulfilling writing to them, taking their phone call, receiving their text with a picture of my bouquet in their home...and all of this on a small scale. Also, I realized that there is many things I possess I actually don't need or even want that much : the way I consume is going to change for sure.

What can we do to help those suffering the most?

Many initiatives have been organized. Again, for flowers, because it was the season and the producers were about to throw it away (because of the shop closure), we decided to buy their stock of Lilly of the Valley to the French producers and sell it on a crowdfunding platform in order to deliver it to seniors, isolated in the nursing homes.

What could be a new mantra to emerge from this with?

Be humble and creative!

Reading:

"Anticancer" from Servan-Schreiber because my mum declared one during the Covid-19 and I wish I could get some informations in order to help her.

Listening:

A feminist podcast called "Les Couilles sur la table"

Watching:

I LOVE DICK (Director : Jill Soloway) Beautiful, powerful, funny and feminist.

Eating:

Asparagus and strawberries

Drinking:

Homemade lemonade