To kick off the new year in style, Chandon invited four influencers to share their secrets for fusing the best of French and Australian fashion, beauty, design and culture.

The Society Inc. founder Sibella Court joined Talisa Sutton from Badlands Journal, Sara Crampton from Harper and Harley and Kiara King from Lion in the Wild to celebrate all things French-Australian chic. The event was inspired by Chandon, which is a fusion of French heritage and Australian innovation. It was founded by French Champagne house Moët & Chandon and makes quality Australian sparkling wines in the Yarra Valley, using the same method used for Champagne.

Court has been visiting France every year or two for the past 25 years, collecting pieces, ideas and inspiration for her books, clients and online store The Society Inc. Check out the video above to hear how these trips have shaped her trademark style, and read on for more.

What keeps drawing you back to France?

I go to source pieces from the markets for my hospitality projects, to uncover vintage wares to use as inspiration for my own range of (hardware) product designs, to visit my favourite museums, for Maison et Objet. My next trip in 2018 is to spend time in Grasse and the surrounds to attend a fragrance workshop, learn about the distillery process of flowers, visit the Fragonard museum and try for an invitation to Les Fontaines Parfumées. There’s always a good excuse for France.

How have these visits influenced your work?

I’m a long-time collector of beautiful objects and have been shopping in flea markets throughout France for 25 years. It’s one of my all-time favourite things to do (the other is beachcombing).

Who are your favourite French designers?

Dorothée Meilichzon, Charlotte Perriand, Christian Liaigre, Jean-Michel Frank – so many!

What do you like most about French interiors style?

The combination of beautiful old structures and buildings decorated with furniture and objects from many different periods and styles that all sit in harmony. This has become very much a part of my own hallmark.

What do you like most about Australian interiors, and how is this reflected in your work?

The Australian land and soundscape resonate within and even though I have a wanderlust soul, it has a strong hallmark in all my work. We are a land of resourceful, innovative and inspired people, and I have the pleasure of working with many of them: makers, designers, architects, hoteliers, publicans, publishers, editors, shop owners, shipwrights, sign-writers, weavers, crafters, dyers, painters, writers, visionaries and luminaries. They form the language of my own work alongside our vast, diverse scape that is drenched in sunlight and has the background sounds of our unique birdlife, the wind and the sea that influences us all.

In what ways do you think French interiors style works well for the Australian lifestyle?

French interiors have a very comfortable feel, even when they’re formal. They invite you to experience them, sink into them and relax – I believe this is a combination of floor layout and the choices of furniture and finishes.

What do you think are the benefits of Chandon being founded by French Champagne house Moët & Chandon and making sparkling wines in Australia?

This effervescent combination of French and Australian creates magic.

For more information go to chandon.com.au