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P E O P L E

Mélusine Ruspoliin

A L L S T A R

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It is not that easy to arrange an interview with a girl like her. A young millennial – beautiful, studious, ambitious, from an important, historic Roman family – and Ferragamo’s muse for the Fiamma campaign. She’s a regular guest at Chanel fashion shows. We’re talking about Mathilde Mélusine dei Principi Ruspoli. Risking asking a series of obvious questions, on the other hand Mélusine’s family has its origins in the 13th century and belongs to the “black nobility”, meaning that they were ennobled by the Vatican.In particular, her father Alessandro (“Dado”) was a man of special exuberance and intelligence. He was one of the characters living the real dolce vita in Rome that inspired Fellini in his film of the same name. He counted figures such as Salvador Dalì, Jane Fonda, the Rolling Stones, Jean Cocteau, Picasso and Brigitte Bardot among his friends. An eclectic man who embraced a wide range of artistic fields, he also experimented with a film and theatre career.He was a keen traveller – elegant, sophisticated and inquisitive – and clearly transmitted all of these extraordinary gifts to his children, particularly Mélusine his only daughter, whom he adored.

Renata: Aside from fashion (like your mother, former model Theresa Patricia Genest), are you also interested in film and theatre like your brother Tao – musician, photographer and producer – and father?Mélusine: Actually, from when I was a little girl I imagined being an actress. I got into the world of fashion in a random way. I like fashion, but I’m not obsessed with it. For the time being, I’ve started this journey, but now that I’m living in Paris I’ve been considering taking courses in theatre because I’d like to explore that area. Also, I was able to work with House of Chanel and they surround themselves a lot with actresses and because at the moment I’m working at Azzedine Alaïa I get the chance to meet so may artists and actors. I gain a lot from all this. Plus acting is a form of freedom at a psychological level.

R: Is your mother supporting you and offering advice in your current fashion career? M: No, not at all, quite the opposite. My mother has always given me a lot of freedom and so I always made my own decisions. I’ve managed on my own, and I’m happy with what I’m doing for now.

R: Was there a meeting or a comment that made you think, why not? I could do that.M: This has happened to me so many times and continues to happen a lot for work, where I meet artists, people in the entertainment business, actors, and producers. Some would come to see my family, and still do. Precisely these mee-tings make me think that I could get into the world of cinema. Lots of people have already said to me that I’m very perceptive and I think that having this characteristic might help me in that field. I’m very interested in photography and my brother Tao is always telling me that I should be a photographer. There are lots of little things that push me in the direction of film.

R: Do you go to the gym regularly, or do you prefer outdoor sports? M: I’ve just moved to Paris for work and unfortunately I don’t have much time now, but as soon as I can I will. I like going to the gym, or running, but I prefer the gym because I can focus more. It’s good for me as it clears my mind of thoughts and I wind down a lot, it frees my mind.(Editor’s note: During the photo shoot today she definitely did a lot of exercise: resistance bands, dip bars, flexible poses in the yoga wall room – a proper work-out!).

R: Is there a perfume, a fragrance that accompanies you always and makes you feel good?M: My signature perfume is Miss Dior Chérie. I have worn it since I was 13 years old and I’ve never changed it. It has become part of my personality and even my friends when they smell this perfume say “It reminds me of Mélusine!” By now, it’s part of me.

R: Do you have a special childhood memory, something that your father often told you?M: My father enjoyed playing the magician when I was little, telling me lots of stories with magical characters. He had travelled a lot in the east, and was always interested in spirituality and therefore always had something special to tell me about, or lovely stories that he had made up. He always made us dream. Really I grew up dreaming, and that has conti-nued to keep me in touch with my spiritual side.

R: Do you get on with your brothers?M: We’re very close and I get on very well with Théodore, the youngest. Even though we don’t live nearby (Théodore studies in Spain) we’re in touch all the time and we know we can count on each other for anything. My other brothers and I are in contact regularly as well, and every year, in the summer, they come to Italy (they live in the US) so we can spend the holidays together.

R: Yours is an illustrious family, strongly linked to the history of Italy, and part of the “black nobility”, which is very close to the Vatican. Is there still a link, either formal or informal, to the Vatican or its hierarchies?M: My father’s brother is very religious and regularly goes to church and the Vatican. Every year on Christmas Day he organizes Mass to be said at his house followed by a lunch to host several figures from the church hierarchy. I am a believer, but I received a rather less formal education, although still very spiritual.

R: How is life with an aristocratic title, do you coexist well all the time, or every now and then is it a little cumbersome? Is it sometimes like a filter through which it is difficult to see the real Mélusine?M: Actually, I feel it is a responsibility in a way. I’m aware that I belong to an important family and that therefore I have to carry forward certain values. A 1,000 year family tree is no small feat. Sometimes people treat me slightly too for-mally, but ultimately I live a normal life and I know I have to make my own way. But it is nice to have some very strong roots. In Vignanello we have a painting of our family tree on the wall and every time I see it I’m surprised because I see all the history that has gone before me. It also gives me so much strength.

R: Do you get time to read? Paper book or e-book?M: I like reading, but at the moment with work it’s a bit of a struggle. I like reading in French, because I went to the French Lycée in Rome and therefore I’m used to reading in French. I like paper books, the feeling of holding a book in your hands and the smell of the paper. Although there’s no denying that downloading a book on your phone has practi-cal advantages and means you can have lots of books on hand at any time.

R: Do you manage any free time?M: You need to make time! I love getting together with friends and spending time with them.

At the end of the interview I’m left with the image of a girl, youthful and friendly, but already mature and professional.The piece doesn’t really show it, but rest assured that her smile is beautiful, spirited and radiant. Like her.

I N T E R V I E W

I N T E R V I E W

M É L U S I N E R U S P O L I

by Renata Gorreri

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