Violette’s Life in Art
As VIOLETTE_FR arrives in the Beauty Studio, founder Violette talks Liberty through a life and brand shaped by art, creativity and a creative expression
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Violette’s Life in Art
As VIOLETTE_FR arrives in the Beauty Studio, founder Violette talks Liberty through a life and brand shaped by art, creativity and a creative expression
By: Team Liberty
From growing up around creative parents, to studying art, to translating that skill to makeup artistry, and launching her own brand rooted in creative expression – art, artistry and creativity are woven into the foundations of Violette Serrat’s French-inspired beauty brand, VIOLETTE_FR.
Be it products inspired by her fascination with neoclassical and Renaissance art (the Bisou Blush was born from a desire to recreate the cherubic flush seen in paintings) or her celebratory, expressive focus on colour and playfulness – there’s a distinct sense of expressive creativity to Violette’s world.
Here, she talks Liberty through the role art plays in the VIOLETTE_FR world, and how it has shaped the brand as we know it.
Did your parents instil a passion for art and creativity in your life from a young age?
Yes, both of them did in their own way. They always cherished and nurtured my creative side—it was something they encouraged from early on.
What was your favourite type of art or craft growing up?
Painting, by far. I was in love with colour even back then. I remember how the brush would bring the pigments to life on paper—it felt like energy being transferred. I was incredibly sensitive to that process.
What made you decide to study painting at the École du Louvre, and how was that experience?
I didn’t formally study there, but I took painting classes to learn traditional techniques and bring a more academic structure to what I already loved doing. My favourite part was being able to visit the Louvre so often. I’d go for hours just to sit with certain paintings—whatever spoke to me at that specific moment in my life.
How did you translate the technical skill of painting into makeup artistry?
There’s so much continuity in painting and makeup. A canvas is flat and lifeless, and you learn how to create volume, light, shadow, and emotion. That’s exactly what I do with makeup. The technique comes from painting—it always has.
Who is your favourite artist and why?
It’s impossible to pick just one. But if I had to choose, I’d say Mother Nature. I remember once—after a car ride through the desert, a boat ride on a river, and a horseback ride—I arrived at Lençóis Maranhenses in Brazil and was overwhelmed by the beauty. I got emotional. Nature is the greatest artist.
How do you use makeup artistry as a creative outlet today?
It’s a way to celebrate who we are—and to lift our mood. A bold red lip or glittery eyes can completely shift how I feel. That’s what beauty is to me: a form of expression.
What does that mean to you and your brand in 2025?
When I first started my brand there is a quote that stuck with me that I think perfectly captures
my philosophy: “She never looked nice. She looked like art, and art isn’t supposed to look
nice—it’s supposed to make you feel something.” – Rainbow Rowell.
I still stand by this today. Beauty isn’t about looking perfect. It’s about expressing yourself and
making people feel something. That’s the kind of beauty I want to create.
What influence does your artistic background have on the products you create for your brand?
It helped me understand how to build colour, how to mix pigments and textures to bring a certain effect or finish to life.
What does it mean to have your brand now stocked at Liberty?
It’s truly a dream come true. I’ve been a fan of Liberty since the first time I stepped inside. For me, retail should be about emotion, discovery, and experience – otherwise, why not just shop online? Liberty is the kind of store where you wander, discover, and feel something. It’s warm, not overwhelming. You can find something for yourself, your friends, your kids, anyone. I also love the antiques. I could go on and on... All that to say, it’s a very full-circle moment for me.