Femme Fatale Files: Brigitte Part 1
In this edition of Femme Fatale Files, we sit down with Brigitte Bertrand, a French-Argentine actress, jazz singer, and sommelière based in New York City. Known for her captivating performances and unique insights, Brigitte shares her journey and perspective on embracing femininity and the femme fatale archetype.
Q: Define femme fatale in your own terms.
Brigitte: "Women incarnate life and death. A femme fatale for me is the storm that brings the truth. She's often the amplifier of reality; her presence brings chaos where everything is revealed: desire, secrets. She is damned because she is the messenger, but without her there wouldn't be the spice of the cycle of life. She is a bringer of destruction, where fools can no longer be kings, she exposes by sheer beauty and danger."
Q: Can you share a bit about your journey to embracing your own inner femme fatale?
Brigitte: "I've often battled with the idea of purity and darkness, then you realize at some point that the world is simply nuances of grey. You learn from both sides. The beauty of being alive is accepting it all, taking it all in rather than nit-picking. I look at intentions, and often a femme fatale just wants to be loved like everyone else. I've found to take things less literally and embrace this sensual side of me, one that flirts with the danger of being alive, being unapologetic in my beauty with a desire to live my life by my own rules."
Q: What does femininity mean to you, and how do you manifest or celebrate it in your everyday life?
Brigitte: "Femininity is a feeling; it's the warmth after putting on a dress and some lipstick. It's a way of telling the world, 'Hey, I'm here and I'm happy to be alive.' I love doing my makeup and my hair, but also sometimes doing nothing. It's your way of marking a moment in time of you, through the amazing thing that is your body and your mind. It's a way of expressing joy that is different for everyone."
Q: Can you share a moment or achievement in your life that fills you with pride and a sense of accomplishment as a woman?
Brigitte: "A lot of my accomplishments have been behind closed doors, not out of shame but out of intimacy. I think if I can feel proud of anything, it's trying to always give a part of myself, of vulnerability, to create a safe space for someone who might be going through something. There are very few things that fill me with pride; one would be that I somehow had some sort of joyous ripple effect on someone."
Q: How do you prioritize self-care in your daily routine, and what practices or rituals do you engage in to nurture your physical, emotional, and mental well-being as a woman?
Brigitte: "Self-care is very important to me. I do a lot of self-massage and say no when I am not feeling up to making a social promise. I have been trying to find a better harmony between finding the time I need for myself, and pulling away when I need to recharge, and also being outgoing and interacting with people and the world. I try every day to really listen to myself and my needs, and find that that is an art in itself."
Q: How do you navigate societal expectations and stereotypes around femininity and beauty?
Brigitte: "I used to care more about what other people thought, but now I just want to have more fun. I like to play with expectations and show that a woman being who she is is a force to be reckoned with. I approach everything with kindness but also have been better about placing boundaries. People will often have something to say, so you might as well live your truth."
Q: Could you reveal a style tip or fashion accessory that makes you feel irresistibly confident and sexy?
Brigitte: "I like gloves; they give something otherworldly. But my big favorite has always been dresses and boots. You'll often find me in a thrift shop looking at long dresses for my jazz concerts, and some rock'n'roll boots to pair or for everyday. My main tip is always 'can't leave the store without it' or won't buy it kind of mentality."
Q: Is there a song, album, or musical genre that is sure to make you feel seductive?
Brigitte: "Oh wow, so many. It depends on my mood, but I think there are specific songs I gravitate towards like 'Heaven' from the Rolling Stones or the album 'Histoire de Melody Nelson' by Serge Gainsbourg, and of course the legendary Barry White. I am often making playlists to capture the flavor of a moment in time or a feeling, so it's always changing."
I just happen to have this album at home!
Q: Are there any historical or fictional femme fatales who inspire or influence your perception of femininity?
Brigitte: "Anaïs Nin is my favorite female author. The way she describes and transports you, the keen unapologetic observation, the animal force, the fragility in reality, she encapsulates a lot in what I deem as erotic. Femme fatales have an erotic nature; that is why they are often deemed the villains because they reflect true desire. Rita Hayworth, Ava Gardner, Lauren Bacall also come to mind, but I also think that they were misunderstood."
Q: Favorite products, brands, or services you’re currently loving to pamper yourself with? What do you love about them?
Brigitte: "I've always been a lover of perfume, tuberose especially, a specific kind of rose apparently worn by Lana Turner and the likes of Elizabeth Taylor. I like to perfume before bed, as if I'd bathed in the waters of Venus herself. You will often find me in a Duty Free smelling everything. I love how smells can transport you places and am always trying to inform myself of new combinations."
Q: Can you recommend any books, podcasts, or resources that have helped you in your journey towards self-discovery and empowerment?
Brigitte: "I am a big proponent for Hertz music on YouTube, but also wonderful healers like Reiki Rachel who infuses high vibrational energy in her healing meditation videos. Returning to old texts like 'The Prophet' by Khalil Gibran or 'The Unbearable Lightness of Being' by Milan Kundera are often a good idea. I would say I'm maybe more of a music lover than a reader, but I follow what calls out to me."
Q: Please recommend a few favorite New York City spots with sexy-to-you vibes that bring out your inner femme fatale. What makes them a place you want to keep returning to?
Brigitte: "I love Hotel Chelsea, Nublu, Zinc Bar, The Gold Room, TV Eye, Baretto, and still many more to discover. I'm still new to New York, but I've always liked the kind staff of each of these places. I think where you can feel safe with a certain standard of service, you can truly be present and have the evening unveil. I usually sleep in, but on the weekend I will probably be at Billy's Record Salon in Brooklyn to find a new favorite jazz song and/or arrangement."
Follow Brigitte on Instagram @ladamedenewyork and explore her music on her website www.bertrandbrigitte.com. Experience the magic of her artistry and be inspired by her journey of self-discovery and empowerment.
