Models – Belinda Peregrin Schull @belindapop & Gabriela Gonzalez @gabrielagonzalezofficial
Hair Stylist- Yasser Rego @yasserrego & Rasec Sagrav @rasec.hair
Make up – Yasser Rego @yasserrego & Berenice de la Rosa @beredelarosamakeup
Photography – Ivan Aguirre @ivanaguirrefotografo
Happy International Women’s Day says our Cover Starwomen for March, Belinda and Gabriela. When asked about how she sees the modern-day women “I love and it also makes me happy how women become stronger each day, we are less afraid to express ourselves freely.” Said Belinda, a self-made strong personality.
Welcome to L’Officiel India, what does it mean for you both to share this long-awaited cover commemorating International Women’s Day?
GG: First of all, I feel deeply grateful to be part of this very awaited cover, in which we make women’s voices and value rise. I think it’s one of the most important issues today around the world, in which union makes strength. To me it’s a great honour to be able to share such a significant edition with a great woman as Belinda is. Without a doubt, she is a star that shines with her own light. It is wonderful to be able to enjoy such a powerful, but also, such sweet voice, performing songs that manage to fuse you in their lyrics. Something that very few artists can do.
BP: I feel super happy to be on this cover with Gaby who is a super talented and successful woman but she is also a wonderful human being. I loved the pictures we did together, it’s was a super fun session, we laughed so much and had such an amazing time!
I think we’re still very far of what the ideal country would be in terms of knowing a woman’s value, giving them the place, they deserve, respect them.
You both are phenomenal at what you do and you do it the best. But as the beginner’s what were some of the difficulties that you faced and how did you turn your passion into a profession?
GG: My passion for fashion began at a very young age, I think it’s something that I was born with, just like my passion for horses. I would always look for combinations in my mom’s clothes, her shoes, her makeup and, as I grew up and became a young woman, I started to collect fashion magazines, to be inspired by the clothes that I saw, the colours, the fabrics, textures and designs. Well, I think that one of the difficulties was to make a career out of this glamorous liking, this is the kind of thing that when you tell people, they try to persuade you into choosing a different path. For some reason, I’ve always been very passionate and disciplined when I have a dream to fulfil.
BP: I’ve loved music since I was very young, I remember growing up with all kinds of rock bands. My dad loved music and we would buy the records together, so I grew up with a musical culture since I was a little girl, even though no one else in my family has a career in music, I’m the only one! The hardest thing in my career has been to overcome every obstacle and being a woman in the music I dusty is still below what a woman deserves. Gabriela and Belinda, you both look incredibly gorgeous and fit. How did this love for fitness take over you and how much do you think fitness is important in one’s life?
Gabriela and Belinda, you both look incredibly gorgeous and fit. How did this love for fitness take over you and how much do you think fitness is important in one’s life?
BP: I’m bad with my workout routine but I really like to eat, but I’m always working I’m always on the move, I have my trainer and she helps me a lot with my training. I don’t take any pills, just collagen every day.
GG: Thank you so much, you are too kind. Since I was a little girl, I’ve liked sports and I think genetically I’ve had a slim complexion, but of course, I also work for it. My love for fitness comes because of the way it makes me feel, it’s about feeling healthy, strong, many times feeling calm and at peace. For me, fitness gives me a mental and emotional balance that is much needed to feel well in everyday life. Fitness and health goals are different for every single person and what is important for me, might not be for someone else. Everyone should be and do what they feel good doing.
My passion for fashion began at a very young age, I think it’s something that I was born with, just like my passion for horses.
First of all, Happy International Women’s Day to both of you rockstars, how much do you think women have become successful in breaking all the societal barriers and norms?
GG: Thank you so much. This is such an interesting and deep question. I think women have been able to do a lot for themselves through the history of this world, we have pushed in the workforce, at home, in different industries and it has never been easy. I want to take this opportunity to thank all of the women who have fought in the past so that we can have the life we live today. But I believe there is much more to be done, success is not complete until every single girl on this planet has the right to an education, to freedom and to feel safe in any environment and corner of this world.
BP: I love and it also makes me happy how women become stronger each day, we are less afraid to express ourselves freely, that fills me with inspiration, we are stronger every day and more united than ever. Every day I see more women facing life the way it should be. And hope that we continue to improve and that we can one day be in the place we deserve to be.
The Julien x Gabriela collection has become the favourite of the A list celebrities in the world. What captivated you both to trust each other with these haute couture designs?
GG: The life, work and the great effort I’ve dedicated to this collection, have given me without doubt, one of the biggest satisfactions of my life. To be able to see Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, Camilla Cabello, amongst others, wearing our designs in the most important events around the world has been a wonderful experience. With Belinda it’s something very special and satisfactory. Mainly because in several occasions my Mexican origin has been put aside and it’s something that I’m very proud of. It’s a great honour for me to see a Mexican woman, talented, from international stature, with the poise and beauty with which Belinda conducts herself.
BP: I love Gaby’s designs because they make women look super feminine, sexy, she pays special attention to the silhouette, and has that touch of elegance, of class that is her signature, I love all of her designs!
We are all capable of amazing things, it takes time, it takes disciple and it takes many attempts, but the first step is always the hardest to take.
Belinda, as a young successful woman, yourself, how much do you think that women empowerment is important in today’s era?
Gabriela, what would be the one thing that, from your experience, you would like to tell all our lovely and strong female readers?
BP: As I mentioned before, the biggest challenge of my career has always been being a woman. Even though at some point I told myself in an outburst or a moment of sadness with year in my eyes, that everything would be easier if I was a man, but today I tell myself: what an honor to be a woman, represent so many women, help them and empower them!
GG: Just one thing? That’s hard! I would have to say to trust your own mind and your own heart. Pursue your dreams, never give up on searching for what you want and never let anyone discourage you from achieving your full potential. We are all capable of amazing things, it takes time, it takes disciple and it takes many attempts, but the first step is always the hardest to take, and once you take it, the universe will set everything in motion. Stay true to who you are; perfect and wonderful.
Gabriela, we have seen the fashion industry is quite big and immersive. How different do you see this industry from others?
Belinda, you are not only a singer but also an actor. If you were given a chance to work with anyone from the entertainment industry, then who would he/she be and why?
GG: Definitely, this industry is huge and has many different fields within itself. To compare industries would be practically impossible. But I can tell you that I see this as a wonderful industry as many others, where hard work is necessary and also just like the others, filled with opportunities.
BP: Ufffff I don’t know, I think I’d live on a beach, far away from the world of social media, from everyone, I’m a bit extremist, and I’d write poetry.
I’m bad with my workout routine but I really like to eat, but I’m always working I’m always on the move, I have my trainer and she helps me a lot with my training.
Gabriela, we have read in many places that you’re the first Latin American woman to close a runway during London Fashion week, we know this creates a great amount of expectation about the new collection. What can we expect from it?
GG: That’s right, it was a wonderful and exciting experience that I treasure as one of my best achievements. The heart and soul we put into the first collection is something that will be present in everything we do. And yes, because it is such a beloved and valued collection by the biggest stars in Hollywood, it has made those who wear it to be considered the best dressed. We will always focus in making women the center of attention when walking into any place while wearing our designs, it’s about empowering them to the maximum, filling them with confidence in themselves and that their natural beauty shines through our designs. That is undoubtedly a part of our essence. But something you will always hear from me is “The best is yet to come”.
Belinda, talking about humble beginnings, how was growing up in Mexico like? If there was one thing that you could change about your country, what would it be?
BP: I was born in Madrid and when I was about 6 years old, moved to México. There are things to be improved in México, especially when it comes to empowering women. I think we’re still very far of what the ideal country would be un terms of knowing a woman’s value, giving them the place, they deserve, respect them. I also think that in this matter there are other countries, like France, for example, where women’s right is much better structured.
The life, work and the great effort I’ve dedicated to this collection, have given me without doubt, one of the biggest satisfactions of my life.
Our readers were very excited to have you both on board, do you have some message for those who look up to you as their ideal?
BP: Thank you for all the love and support that you’ve given me all through my career, I feel very fortunate to have you with me and expect, very soon, the series “Welcome to Eden” which airs on April 28 on Netflix!
GG: Well, thank you so much, this is so wonderful to hear. My advice on fashion is to not be afraid, be innovative, experiment, wear what you love and like, express yourself through fashion and find your own style. As a tip, you will never go wrong with classic and timeless pieces. If you’re starting to build a wardrobe, find good quality items that you can use many times and most importantly enjoy and feel good about what you’re wearing.
