From Paris to Mumbai to Manila: How to Be a Global Creative Without Losing Your Soul

Recently, I traveled to Mumbai and Manila. Curiously, after this trip, I decided to grow my business in Asia — simply because the experience was so transformative, on every level.

I thought I went there to teach and explore. I ended up listening.

Now, I live between the French capital and the Philippine capital. Honestly, I have to admit that this personal and professional journey feels like a roller coaster. I don’t yet know what the next chapter holds — but I’ve chosen this path.

First, let me share why this adventure has been so elevating for my creative soul.

Mumbai: Where Chaos Has a Traffic Plan

My first stop was Mumbai. Before landing, I was anxious about how I’d adapt to such a different environment. Stereotypes are hard to dismantle. I’d previously lived for three years in Spain — in Barcelona and Valencia — where I enjoyed a vibrant Mediterranean lifestyle. But that was still Europe. This felt like a deeper challenge.

As a Parisian at heart, I believed everywhere could be walked. Mumbai proved me wrong. My only real option to navigate this intense metropolis of 30 million people was by cab or rickshaw — every day. Yet inside those vehicles, I learned a lot. I quickly realized I lacked the cultural codes to fully understand the city — and at the same time, I had to trust my instincts. A quiet voice in my head whispered: “Just follow the flow. You’ll be fine.”

Honestly, I could never drive a car there. You’re forced to process too much information at once. But that in itself became a metaphor: as an entrepreneur, you don’t always have perfect clarity — yet you still have to make decisions, and keep moving.

Once I accepted that, I began to meet people — gently, organically. And I was deeply surprised by the warmth of the welcome. In Paris, you often need a trumpet (or a small miracle) to get noticed by a waiter. In Mumbai, people are curious, open, and present. That’s when I began a real, vibrant conversation with India.

Over the course of 10 days, I gave workshops on fashiontech and how AI is transforming the fashion industry. We explored tools like ChatGPT, discussed how to optimize models and manage photo shoots in an AI-augmented workflow. H&M, for example, has recently offered an impressive vision of this transformation.

I also spoke with students eager to travel through Europe and understand the nuances of the luxury industry. In their eyes and voices, I sensed a powerful desire — not just to discover Paris, but to emancipate themselves. Leaving home, for them, seemed like a way to unlock their full potential.

Every day, I had chai with local entrepreneurs. What amazed me most was their multitasking grace — taking calls, editing reels, pitching clients — all at once, without frenzy, without stress. In Paris, we multitask too, but in Mumbai it feels lighter. More intuitive. And most importantly: authentic.

After this emotional immersion, it was time for my next destination — an island at the heart of the Pacific.

Manila: New York in Asia

Landing in Manila felt like arriving in New York. Skyscrapers everywhere. Walking was almost impossible. Like in India, your best option was a cab or a rickshaw. But what struck me the most was the way electric cables twisted around wooden poles, hundreds at a time — and yet everything worked. If I may use a metaphor: Manila feels like a city permanently overcharged, but guided by ingenious creativity.

Soon after arriving, I began collaborating with Joie on our project Limitless Tech. Together, we defined a vision to build a company at the intersection of humanity and technology, grounded in sustainability. Joie was enthusiastic — and also unapologetically focused on results.

Sometimes in Paris, we love to intellectualize everything — like Sartre and de Beauvoir debating at Café de Flore. In Manila, people are more direct: ideas must lead to tools, strategies, income. I thought of Bourdieu, who often said knowledge should be practical — a toolbox.

As in India, I dove into the local fashiontech ecosystem. I started with fashion schools like La Salle and SoFA. Quickly, I saw how deeply craftsmanship is embedded in the learning process. There’s pride in their culture. I often describe fashiontech as a dialogue between past, present, and future — and here, I saw that dialogue in action.

Then came the entrepreneurs. People like Joie launch products quickly. They test, iterate, adapt. They’re risk-oriented — they’d rather try and fail than over-plan. Another surprise: the ease of networking. In Paris, without an introduction, making connections can be painfully slow. In Manila, a good LinkedIn or Instagram profile, paired with a short message, can land you the meeting you need.

But perhaps most importantly, I discovered that you can trust Philippine partners — whether startups, factories, or manufacturers. The ecosystem is dense, the competition fierce, and that pressure leads to a culture of speed and reliability. They have to deliver. And they do.

All of this resonated deeply with me. I’ve spent over two decades exploring fashiontech — and I was ready for a new challenge. Without forgetting my Parisian roots, I needed to rediscover surprise, risk, momentum.

Paris, Movement, and Culture

Paris is so intertwined with the fashion world that I’ll never fully leave it. It grounds me. Like checking in on an old friend — just to make sure everything’s still okay in uncertain times. But I wanted more. I wanted to test my knowledge in the turbulence of Manila, with a great partner by my side.

Maybe the only thing I’ve truly learned is this:

Movement is everything.

And so, I’m ready to write the next chapter of my fashiontech journey — somewhere between Asia and Europe.

If you’re working at the intersection of fashion, technology, and storytelling, join me in Manila this June for a focused masterclass: “From Paris to Manila – Designing the Future of Fashion with AI and Storytelling.” We’ll explore how creatives and brands can navigate emerging tools without losing cultural depth or narrative purpose. Click here to learn more and register.