Coffee With Terry de Gunzburg
of BY TERRY

Terry de Gunzburg understands women's needs, and in 1998 set off on a passionate adventure to create the first couture make-up line, BY TERRY.

Originally from France, she now lives in Fulham with her husband and four children.

We had a coffee with Terry to find out what inspired her to set up her own business, dig deep about her shopping habits and discover where she likes to shop online.

What inspired you to create BY TERRY?
I'm inspired by everyday life, my own beauty needs and those of the women around me. Interior design, luxurious fabrics, contemporary art, music,especially opera and piano concerts, are also a major source of inspiration.

I also love extravagant artists, massive jewels and precious stones for their fascinating bright radiance as well as botanics and flowers, especially roses and orchids.

What makes your product unique?
Definitely their high quality, their ultra-concentrated formulas, intensive treatment and glowing benefits. They are made with the purest pigments and the most exclusive active ingredients. The textures are highly sophisticated and very easy to blend.

How do you get a good work/life balance?
It’s a day to day challenge! As a mother of four children and a self-confessed 'workaholic', I know where my priorities lie and my life definitely requires organisation!

As much as I'm invested in BY TERRY, I always put my family first and never miss key moments; birthdays, first day at school, etc... As with my creations, my commitment with my children, grandchildren, husband and friends is based on quality before quantity.

That’s why my makeup and skincare products are "all in one" formulated, to be highly speed-efficient and fully adapted to my busy life!

What’s your best selling product/label?
Our best-seller is the Light-Expert Perfecting Foundation Brush, the product for anytime and anywhere makeup touch-ups! Baume de Rose has also become a bit of a cult product and graces the makeup bags of many celebrities. It's the most intensive and glamourous lip balm made from pure roses, and a definite must have!

How would you characterise your fashion style?
I'd like to think I'm a bit of a fashionista. I worked for Yves Saint Laurent for fifteen years which has had a huge influence on the way I dress. I'm usually in black pants and a black turtle neck with a heavy necklace and high stilettos of some sort.

For evening, I go for glamour; dark tones, black dresses with ultra-defined red lips.

Who would you say is your style icon?
I admire women with strong personalities and a certain fragility like Marilyn Monroe for incarnating a spontaneous and timeless glamour!

Who are your favourite designers?
Muccia Prada, Karl Lagerfeld , John Galliano...

Where do you buy your denim and why?
Zara, the best fit at the best price.

Heels or flats and where do you buy them?
Heels are definitely more feminine. My favourite are my Christian Louboutin's stilettos, they're utterly sophisticated and will last for years!

Where do you shop for your children’s clothes?
Bonpoint when they were kids, now as they are teenagers: Gap, H&M or Ralph Lauren.

Do you eat organic and live an eco-conscious lifestyle?
Absolutely yes. I'm very into ecology! My food regime is based on vegetables, grains, fresh fruits, no meat but lots of fish and eggs. In St Remy de Provence I have my “potager” which is completely organic and in the summer we eat vegetables and fruits from it every day.

Junk food is absolutely forbidden at home! Except home-made pizza on Saturday night!

Do you ever buy food online?
Yes from Ocado.com

What beauty products are currently in your bathroom cabinet?
I'm afraid it literally is all my own skincare rose line! I simply could not live without Crème de Rose and Teint de Rose.

What are your three must-have make up products?
Baume de Rose (of course), Light Expert and Mascara Blackstar.

How would you describe the style of your home?
My home reflects my feelings and emotions. It combines all my passions: Art-Deco and Oriental Chic, sophistication and simplicity, comfort and luminosity.

Where do you buy your furniture and home accessories?
I spend any free time I have in art galleries and I’m forever picking up bits and pieces from them. L&M Art in New York, White Cube in London and Galerie Almine Rech in Brussels are among my favourites.

What was the last thing you put on your credit card?
An airplane ticket for New York and a Liza Lou sculpture whilst I was there!

And finally, where else do you love to indulge?
Hermes. Who doesn't...

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