At home with …Caroline Deroche Pasquier & sons

“A great moment for me was when I realized that these little men we are raising have the right ‘keys’ to live a good life. Our role as parents is to guide them in the best direction, while also accepting who they are.”

On Caroline: Givenchy shirt and cuffs

“We are here to give our children confidence, independence, and respect for themselves. It’s not always easy, but it’s the most rewarding thing in life!”

Best Part About Motherhood: “The love of my boys. They are both so sweet, charming, smart, lovely, and have a good sense of humor. When my younger son says, ‘Maman, I love you, would you marry me?’ I just melt!”

On Caroline: Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci dress

Hardest Part About Motherhood: “Fear: It’s always there, somewhere inside you.”

“I love going out with my older son, just the two of us—sometimes we go to the cinema or to a concert. With Martin, I love the morning when he comes into our bed, right in the middle of us, and cuddles.

On Being a Working Mama: “I love my work and I need that indepen-dence. Then, when I’m home, it’s full-on attention and love.”

Martin wearing an Eleven Paris t-shirt

“Water, naps, reading, music, yoga, hammam steam bath, and coffee!”

“Men’s shirts and maternity jeans got me through my pregnancy. Other than that, my uniform was a tight dress, long cardigan, flat shoes, and vintage jewelry.”

Caroline and Jean in Givenchy

“When my first son was born, my mother gave me a gold medal engraved with his name on it.”

A few of Martin’s favorite things.

“My sons love to talk with me about T-shirts, jeans, and Nikes! This is also how they like me to dress. But when I get dressed up for an event, I must say, they are proud in a way. One day Martin told me, ‘You are so beautiful with your long black hair, your black dress, and your black shoes.'”
Jean wears a Givenchy sweatshirt, while Caroline wears vintage Yves Saint Laurent

“The most surprising thing about motherhood is how you fall in love with each of your kids, each time! You can have 1, 2 or 10 kids and you will fall in love 1, 2 or 10 times!”

“I love going out with my older son, just the two of us—sometimes we go to the cinema or to a concert. With Martin, I love the morning when he comes into our bed, right in the middle of us, and cuddles.”

“Never try to be the perfect mother! Just be honest with your child and show him what he needs: lots of love.”

“When my younger son was sick one day with a high fever and couldn’t sleep, he came in our bed and after a while was finally able to sleep. Which meant no more space for me. I was lying there, alone in the night and thought, ‘This is exactly what a mother is here for: we could give our life for our children!'”

On Caroline: Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci dress

I gravitate toward timeless pieces—like biker jackets, black cashmere, my vintage YSL black tuxedo jacket, and Givenchy T-shirts. I like to pair opposites together: an evening dress paired with natural, undone hair, a silk blouse worn with jeans, or a military jacket and tuxedo pants. And I always buy the same kind of colors—black, navy, dark brown—which makes it much easier to mix and match with the rest of my wardrobe.”

“I use oil all the time: Christophe Robin lavender for hair, Sultane de Saba carrot and rose for face, and Santa Maria Novella Melograno for body.”

A few of Caroline’s favorite things…