Clara Berry on Authenticity, Motherhood, and Finding Her Power in Fashion

January 20, 2025

I sat down with Clara Berry in Los Angeles where we discussed her evolving journey amid caring for her young son Sasha—who delightfully appeared throughout our Zoom conversation. Fresh from shooting COCOON—an intimate editorial in Jean Paul Gaultier—Berry spoke about her transition from France to LA, her love for fashion, and the evolving role of social media in her career. What makes Clara remarkable is her authenticity—it flows throughout her work and shines in her honest conversations about motherhood, identity, and staying true to herself.

Having already left her mark on campaigns for YSL Beauty and BVLGARI, Berry brings that same magnetic presence to COCOON, where she moves through Gaultier's soft whites and architectural pieces with natural grace. Against a backdrop of modern sofas that serve as both stage and sculpture, she embodies the house's vision of structure melting into sensuality, tradition dancing with subversion. She also captures French fashion's enduring power to reimagine the lines between dressed and undressed. In our exclusive interview below, Berry opens up about this latest chapter in her life.

Star: Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me on Saturday.

Clara: Of course, my pleasure!

Star: So tell me, how did you end up moving from France to Los Angeles?

Clara: I was living in Paris when I found out I was expecting. I ended up leaving my entire life behind—my apartment, family, friends, language, and even my body, as pregnancy brought so many changes. Since my son's father was based in Vancouver for filming, that's where we moved first. We split our time between Vancouver and LA for his work before finally making LA our home.

Star: Do you think you'll settle in LA?

Clara: For now, yes. It's nice. For example, when I go on vacation and then return to LA—it's less depressing than returning to Paris.

Star: That resonates completely. Everyone idealizes Paris as this perfect, beautiful city, but having lived there myself, I understand its less enchanting reality.

Clara: Exactly. Paris is wonderful to visit, but when you live there, the daily reality is quite different from the romantic image.

Star: Does daily life in Paris feel like an endless series of challenges?

Clara: Yes! Sometimes people recognize me, and it can be very intense and chaotic. In LA, I can live a relatively normal life.

Star: What was the start of your career like, and how did social media play a role in it?

Clara: My career began when I was 15. It was an incredible opportunity, and I felt especially fortunate because modeling wasn't trendy then—it wasn't even my goal. After being scouted on the street, I signed with an agency at 16. When I signed that contract, I saw it as my path to independence.

Moving to Paris coincided with the rise of social media, which became a turning point for me. Before that, I was just a model—a role that rarely allows you to show your true personality or style. Social media opened up a new world of self-expression, letting me share my personality and passions. I've always been drawn to photography, art, fashion, travel, food—all these different facets of life. Modeling alone couldn't capture that breadth. In an industry where you're often expected to be silent and compliant, my natural expressiveness and strong personality made it challenging to fit that mold.

When I moved to Paris, I began building a solid following on social media. It was perfect timing because few people were using social media that way. This was about eight years ago when blogs were still dominant. I remember working with a girl who sent her hats to bloggers in exchange for a post. That was my lightbulb moment—I realized Instagram could work the same way.

I told my boyfriend at the time that we needed to start taking pictures. I shot with analog cameras to make the images feel more intentional. At first, I didn't want people to follow me just because of my style—I wanted them to connect with the lifestyle I was sharing. Over time, I adapted to keep my audience engaged, sometimes sharing more revealing content. But initially, my vision was simply to share a way of life.

Star: When Instagram started, did you think it would become what it is today?

Clara: Honestly, no. I feel fortunate to have experienced social media in its earlier days, when there was less pressure to curate a perfect image. While today's landscape offers valuable benefits - connecting with loved ones, accessing information, and expressing ourselves freely - it has also created an environment where people constantly measure themselves against others online. Despite these challenges, social media remains a powerful tool for staying connected and informed.

Star: How does social media affect people's self-image when they feel pressured to present a perfect version of themselves?

Clara: While social media can be a valuable platform for self-expression, I prefer to use it as a space to share my perspective rather than seek external validation. Though some creators actively engage their audience through polls and feedback, I've chosen a more personal approach to sharing content.

Social media is both wonderful and unsettling. For a time, it affected my perception of myself. You craft this idealized online presence, but reality in the mirror tells a different story. While my social media self isn't entirely disconnected from who I am, it's important to remember I'm human—I live, move, and eat just like everyone else. Yet online, everything appears polished to perfection.

Star: Given your platform, do you feel a sense of responsibility on social media?

Clara: This wasn't originally my battle, but it became mine when others began to see themselves in me. I have a small chest, and I receive countless messages from young women expressing gratitude. They tell me I inspire them by embracing and confidently showing my authentic self.

To me, it's just who I am. When I post, I don't think, "Oh, I look flat in this picture." It's just me. But I know it's helping young women accept their bodies. I hear from 14-year-old girls who say they feel better about themselves because of me. That means so much.

Star: You have such a strong and empowered presence. Do you think your childhood influenced that?

Clara: I think so. I'm the second of four kids and the first girl. I didn't have the worst childhood, but I never really felt loved, accepted, or supported. French families can feel a bit cold at times. Living in America changed how I feel about love. Here, people show love in such an open way. At first, my parents didn't say "I love you" back when I said it, but now they do... I've always been a bit of a wild horse. I hated being in a box or being told what to do.

Star: That's such a strong sense of independence. Do you know where that wild streak comes from?

Clara: Honestly, I'm not sure. It's just always been a part of me. I've never had fear or hesitation. Some people are just born with that.

Star: How has becoming a mother changed your life?

Clara: It's a lot to process. For me, it wasn't just becoming a mother—it was leaving my country, my life, my friends, everything. At first, it was really difficult, and I felt so lonely. But my son is so precious, and I feel super lucky.

Star: What do you hope your relationship with your son will be like?

Clara: I want him to be comfortable with himself and with me. I want him to feel like I'm his best friend, someone he can tell anything to. Growing up, my parents would tell me not to do something but never explain why. That was so frustrating. I'm committed to always explaining things to him. I want him to have good intuition, be kind, and have strong communication skills.

Star: It's fascinating how those early experiences shaped you. Has that influenced how you approach fashion projects like your recent shoot with Jean Paul Gaultier? How was it working with Julian and Patricia?

Clara: I loved everything. The whole team was amazing. Jean Paul Gaultier was the first high-fashion brand I knew. When I was a kid, my grandmother worked in a shop that carried their pieces, and it felt like the epitome of luxury. Now, working with them feels like family. This past year, we've done so many cool trips, like to Egypt and Greece. It's one of my all-time favorite brands. Their style resonates with me so much—sexy, sensual, and classy.

Star: Out of all the looks you shot, what was your favorite?

Clara: I loved the black striped one. I wouldn't have picked it from the rack, but when I put it on, I felt so empowered. Like I could take on Wall Street's power players and win.

Star: How do you feel when you act in fashion?

Clara: I feel so confident. Fashion is like a superpower. It's an art form that lets you play someone else, even for a moment.

Earring by STATEMENT PARIS

Star: What designers do you enjoy working with, and who would you like to collaborate with?

Clara: Besides Jean Paul Gaultier, I'm drawn to the vision of Off-White, Louis Vuitton, Balmain, and Marine Serre. I'd also love to collaborate with Dior.

Star: Do you support up-and-coming designers?

Clara: Absolutely. Before COVID, I used to do live sessions with small brands to showcase their work. Smaller designers take more risks and have so much creativity. Maitrepierre and Atlein were some of my favorites last season.

Star: When you were younger, did you look at fashion? Were you interested in fashion?

Clara: Fashion has always interested me. I've stayed true to my personal style rather than following trends. For example, when I was around 12 or 13 in school, I remember I challenged myself to dress differently every day. Some outfits weren't successful, but at least they were different.

Star: How do you hope people perceive you?

Clara: I want to be seen as someone who's genuine and joyful—someone who appreciates life's simple pleasures while being comfortable enough to enjoy them fully.

Star: Thank you so much for the great chat and I hope to see you in Paris!