Fashioning a future with style, strength & storytelling: ELLE magazine's Editor-in-Chief, a French actress-singer, two fashion designers... my guests this week open up about the need for sincerity in branding oneself or a product, and finding alignment in life and with your work.

A Gathering of Creatives

In the latest episode of The Lisa Burke Show, the spotlight turned to creativity, self-alignment and the evolving identity of women in business and the arts. 

The show featured four guests joining online and in the studio: Aurélia Khazan, French actress, singer and peace ambassador; Marie-Adélaïde Leclercq-Olhagaray, editor-in-chief of ELLE Luxembourg; Elena Gromova, a fashion business consultant; and Senay Simsek Trierweiler, founder of Soul7 Couture. Each guest united through the common theme of finding one’s voice and turning passion into purpose.

The birth of ELLE Luxembourg and the power of words

Marie-Adélaïde shared the journey of launching ELLE Luxembourg, celebrating its first anniversary with a cover story featuring the Grand Duchess. More than just a fashion magazine, ELLE stands as a platform for women’s voices across generations. 

“Words give birth to ideas—maieutics is the art of giving birth through dialogue.” 

Marie-Adélaïde spoke about communication being so much more than just words, either written or spoken. 

“The power of words is immense... you need to choose them wisely. ”  

Aurélia Khazan: combining creative endeavours for a full career

Aurélia Khazan, radiant and multifaceted, joined us from Paris. Aurélia spoke candidly about managing a creative career across continents while staying true to herself. 

“We can’t wait for the phone to ring like Prince Charming—today, women must take an active role in shaping their careers.”  

Recounting feedback from a French agent who said she “smiled too much,” Aurelia responded with grace: “Art is about sincerity, not distance.” Her career across France, India, and beyond reflects a fearless embrace of multicultural storytelling through performance and activism.

“Beauty is not a face. It's what you do. It's how you live. It’s how you give back.”

Senay’s Soul7 Story

Senay’s journey was one of strength, style, and innovation. A psychologist turned designer, she created Soul7 Couture to blend elegance with activewear, crafting pieces that work both in and outside the gym. After being diagnosed with cancer in 2020, her brand became a creative outlet that supported her recovery. 

“I didn’t fight cancer—I learned to live with it. I never gave up on my dreams.” 

Her recent appearance at Miami Fashion Week marked a significant step in taking her Luxembourgish label to the international stage. Senay also talks about how it was not so easy to set-up a business in Luxembourg, but this was not the experience of Elena. 

Branding with Meaning - Fashion Business Lab

Elena Gromova, founder of Fashion Business Lab and No.Rainer, highlighted the importance of authenticity in branding. Having transitioned from finance to fashion, she emphasised the emotional core of every successful brand. 

As Marie-Adélaïde said, “Branding is who you are; marketing is what you offer. You need both feet to move forward.” 

Elena’s raincoat label, No.Rainer, was inspired by Luxembourg’s weather and the desire to build something meaningful. 

“Luxembourg surprised me—it’s small but full of creative potential.”

The Power of Storytelling in a Fast-Paced World

The conversation turned to the contrast between fast-paced social media and the depth of long-form content. Marie-Adélaïde spoke of the balance in ELLE between daily digital articles and print features that “live longer” on readers’ coffee tables.

Elena, who produces beautifully crafted short videos, noted, “You need to show what’s behind the picture. A 15-second video can be a hook, but sincerity is what builds a lasting connection.”

As Marie-Adélaïde said, ELLE Luxembourg has a multi-generational audience and readership. They have to craft stories and interviews that appeal to all. 

Whether building a fashion brand, launching a media platform, or navigating a global creative career, the message was clear: authenticity, adaptability, and self-belief matter most, plus knowing your audience. 

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  www.soul7couture.com

https://norainer.com

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