Claire Thomson-Jonville and the Vogue France of It All

• From Law to Parisian Culture - Claire shares her unexpected path from studying law at the University of Edinburgh to discovering her creative instincts while studying French cinema and literature at the Sorbonne.
  
• A Childhood of Sneakers and Style - Growing up with a father in sports retail and a love for magazines, Claire reflects on how early exposure to both Nike culture and glossy pages shaped her creative lens.
  
• Landing in Paris at the Right Time - Her arrival in Paris during a golden cultural era led to part-time work for Time Out, early encounters with the Colette circle, and an immersion in the city’s creative pulse.
  
• The Self Service Years - Working with Ezra Petronio and Suzanne Koller at Self Service taught Claire the discipline of image-making, the rigors of independent publishing, and the foundations of her visual language.
  
• Freelance Freedom and the Rise of Instagram - Embracing the early days of Instagram, Claire turned consistency and curation into a visual brand—one that foreshadowed her future role at Vogue France.
  
• Redefining French Vogue - Claire discusses what it means to inherit a legacy brand in a global digital age, and why feeling like an insider-outsider has helped her lead with authenticity.
  
• Realness in Luxury - From vintage-inspired minimalism to publishing knickers on a full page, Claire explores how today’s luxury is less about logos and more about time, space, and storytelling.
  
• Wellness as Editorial Philosophy - Claire opens up about her wellness routines, Hyrox training, and the upcoming Vogue France wellness retreat—redefining what modern leadership and luxury can look like.
  
• Creative Partnership with Alastair McKimm - Her longtime collaboration with Alastair, from i-D to Vogue, reflects a deep trust and shared vision—built on mutual respect and a belief in timeless French fashion codes.
  
• What’s Contemporary Now? - Claire answers the episode’s signature question: “Knowing yourself and following your instincts.” A fitting closing thought from someone who’s done exactly that throughout her career.

‍Notable Quotes: 

• “I’ve always had this instinct to follow the work, not the title. If something felt aligned creatively, I went toward it—even if it didn’t make perfect sense on paper.”
  
• “I was obsessed with magazines before I could even read.”
  
• “I didn’t know exactly what my title was going to be, or what shape my career would take—I just knew I wanted to create and collaborate. I think that openness has allowed me to build something fluid and authentic, without trying to force it into a predefined box.”
  
• “At Self Service, it really was an extended education. I learned how to do everything. It was a small team, so you were involved in every part of the process—casting, layouts, production, writing. That environment gave me the creative discipline and the visual language I still carry with me today.”
  
• “Instagram became a kind of visual diary for me. It was how I expressed myself creatively and built my taste in public. Over time, I realized I was essentially building a brand—without ever having to say anything.”
  
• “I’m quite French Vogue anyway, so it wasn’t a stretch. I’ve always gravitated toward that aesthetic—strong women, strong visuals, unapologetically sensual. It’s been in my visual language for years, even before I had the title. So stepping into the role felt more like a continuation than a reinvention.”
  
• “I don’t feel pressure to be French—I feel privileged to be in this role. But what’s important is understanding the DNA of Vogue France, honoring it, and evolving it in a way that still feels true. You can look back, but you can’t stay in the past.”
  
• “Luxury, for me, is time. It’s space. It’s not always about extravagance—it’s about intention. Even doing something minimal, with honesty and clarity, can feel incredibly luxurious right now.”
  
• “We’re in a different era of publishing. It’s not just about a magazine anymore—it’s a brand, a platform, a visual universe. There’s print, yes, but also social, digital, video, brand partnerships. It’s not one story—it’s a constellation of them.”
  
• “I’ve always trusted that if I’m clear on my vision, the right people and projects will align with it. That’s the energy I try to bring to everything I do.”