Michaela Lee has a journey that has led her from Southern California to New York City to now Paris, where she has lived for the last 13 years. With a background in fashion — experiencing everything from a career in corporate fashion, to consulting, to operating her own vintage store — Lee left New York for Paris in 2004 seeking change and a new perspective. It turned out to be, in her words, the best decision she ever made. Today, she lives in the Marais neighborhood with her husband Alex and five-year-old daughter Valentine. Alex is the founder of OFR, an independent art book store and gallery, and Michaela and Alex work — together and apart — to bring a thoughtful, smart, and yet not-too-precious approach to everything they touch. We visited Michaela at home to learn more about the path that brought her to Paris, the joy of leaning into the unknown, and what it truly means to be “well.”
Photos by Gemma Ingalls, interview by Leigh Patterson
Can you share more about your upbringing — where you are from, what has led you to what you are doing today?
Your childhood is something that I think stays with you, wherever life leads you.
I was born in Southern California, and grew up in a suburb of Los Angeles. I absolutely loved growing up there. There will always be a piece of me that will yearn for that landscape, that light, those smells. My mother went to FIDM for design and pattern-making later in her life, and I remember those years of her going to school, her sketches, and the fashion magazines she collected. She often made clothes for my sister and I, and we could “design” whatever we wanted. We could pick out the fabrics and everything… it was wonderful. That was the start of everything for me. I remember once, during the height of the 80s, I had a slumber party for one of my birthdays. My mom made everyone matching stirrup leggings with matching scrunchies. It was a total hit! My love of clothes completely comes from my mother.
Your childhood is something that I think stays with you, wherever life leads you.
I was born in Southern California, and grew up in a suburb of Los Angeles. I absolutely loved growing up there. There will always be a piece of me that will yearn for that landscape, that light, those smells. My mother went to FIDM for design and pattern-making later in her life, and I remember those years of her going to school, her sketches, and the fashion magazines she collected. She often made clothes for my sister and I, and we could “design” whatever we wanted. We could pick out the fabrics and everything… it was wonderful. That was the start of everything for me. I remember once, during the height of the 80s, I had a slumber party for one of my birthdays. My mom made everyone matching stirrup leggings with matching scrunchies. It was a total hit! My love of clothes completely comes from my mother.
California is very diverse in many respects…for the most part it is a progressive and liberal place to be; however the suburb that I grew up in was small and very provincial. I couldn't wait to leave. My friends and I would often drive down into Mexico at a very young age, just to explore…oh, the trouble I almost got myself into! I spent a good amount of time driving into Los Angeles — I went to Otis College of Art and Design, which was was heaven for me.
After a certain amount of time working in the fashion industry in LA, I made the move to NYC in my late twenties. It was the best time of any young person’s life to be in a city like NYC. To live that most selfish time of your life in the most selfish and decadent city was like drowning in a sea of excess; it was delicious and debauched. Work hard and play harder. Eventually it became too much for me and I wanted something else.
I went through a very difficult time of my life in New York — my “Saturn Returns” era. Everything was falling apart: my relationship, my belief in my work. I needed to make a serious change. My sister (to whom I am extremely close) was living in Paris at the time. And like the cliché of my childhood, of all romantic little girls, Paris was the dream of all dreams for me. So I spent a year getting myself ready, took tons of French lessons, saved up all the money I could, and took the plunge. I had no idea of what would happen and how long I would last there, but I knew I needed to do it. It was the best thing I have ever done.
What does a typical day look like for you?
A typical day for me these days is not really typical. I am going through some major career changes so there is no real routine. I’m spending most of my days trying to figure what I will do next without completely freaking myself out about it. The role that most defines me at this moment is being a mother, and that is really just fine for me right now. I try to soak it all in, all the little day-to-day things. I also try to carve out time for myself. It is getting easier and easier as my daughter gets a bit older and more independent. I can’t believe I waited so long to have a child: it is the most wonderful, fulfilling, exhausting rollercoaster I have ever been on and I love every minute.
A typical day for me these days is not really typical. I am going through some major career changes so there is no real routine. I’m spending most of my days trying to figure what I will do next without completely freaking myself out about it. The role that most defines me at this moment is being a mother, and that is really just fine for me right now. I try to soak it all in, all the little day-to-day things. I also try to carve out time for myself. It is getting easier and easier as my daughter gets a bit older and more independent. I can’t believe I waited so long to have a child: it is the most wonderful, fulfilling, exhausting rollercoaster I have ever been on and I love every minute.
Is there a metaphor, a quote, a piece or writing, or visual composition that is speaking to you right now?
“Comfort kills the creative spirit.” If I never pushed myself out of my comfort zone, my life would look a lot different than it does now. I think it is important to stay hungry, curious, and follow your own inner compass. Even if it feels as if you are going nowhere, it is this fighting spirit that serves you throughout life and its many ups and downs. And although I will often make decisions that are inclusive of a certain level of comfort, I try not to make it the driving force of any decision. I kind of know deep down that there isn't anything that I cannot overcome or face as long as the health of my family and myself is not compromised.
“Comfort kills the creative spirit.” If I never pushed myself out of my comfort zone, my life would look a lot different than it does now. I think it is important to stay hungry, curious, and follow your own inner compass. Even if it feels as if you are going nowhere, it is this fighting spirit that serves you throughout life and its many ups and downs. And although I will often make decisions that are inclusive of a certain level of comfort, I try not to make it the driving force of any decision. I kind of know deep down that there isn't anything that I cannot overcome or face as long as the health of my family and myself is not compromised.
What brings you solace?
My solace comes from my family…plain, simple, and forever.
My solace comes from my family…plain, simple, and forever.
When it comes to your own wellbeing (however you define that word), what are some non-negotiables in your daily/weekly routine?
This is very interesting for me and the aspect of life that rings the most crucial and important at this moment. I think as a society we have lost a huge amount of knowledge and confidence in ourselves to know what we need and what makes us healthy.
We have lost our instincts. Everyone is always following the latest food trends…the sheer number of people that I know that can’t eat this, that, or the other…I’m not trying to make light of anyone’s sicknesses. I believe that they are absolutely real. The way in which industry and commerce has changed the way we live, and not for the better, is scandalous and shocking. We used to know, we used to trust ourselves and our bodies. I feel like we are all a bit lost and need to get back to the bare basics. The fact that we are more and more interested in knowing where our food is coming from and how it got to our table is a huge step in the right direction.
It is really up to us [to change things] — big industry is never going to admit, ‘oops our products are in fact extremely bad for you.’ That said, I am nowhere near a perfect, healthy zen mama. I believe balance is key, and happiness and ease are essential. I don't want to stress about everything that goes into my body, so I don’t. When I travel I don't want to be not able to eat this or that, or have to be super specific. I want to explore, I want to taste everything, I want freedom.
This is very interesting for me and the aspect of life that rings the most crucial and important at this moment. I think as a society we have lost a huge amount of knowledge and confidence in ourselves to know what we need and what makes us healthy.
We have lost our instincts. Everyone is always following the latest food trends…the sheer number of people that I know that can’t eat this, that, or the other…I’m not trying to make light of anyone’s sicknesses. I believe that they are absolutely real. The way in which industry and commerce has changed the way we live, and not for the better, is scandalous and shocking. We used to know, we used to trust ourselves and our bodies. I feel like we are all a bit lost and need to get back to the bare basics. The fact that we are more and more interested in knowing where our food is coming from and how it got to our table is a huge step in the right direction.
It is really up to us [to change things] — big industry is never going to admit, ‘oops our products are in fact extremely bad for you.’ That said, I am nowhere near a perfect, healthy zen mama. I believe balance is key, and happiness and ease are essential. I don't want to stress about everything that goes into my body, so I don’t. When I travel I don't want to be not able to eat this or that, or have to be super specific. I want to explore, I want to taste everything, I want freedom.
What is next for you?
What is next for me... I will continue to travel, hunt for, and curate objects that I love. My love for vintage clothing and objects is something I am sure I will never lose. Whether this manifests into another pop-up boutique or something online, I’m not entirely sure at the moment. I see so much potential for online businesses, but I love interacting with customers. There is a certain level of satisfaction to be had with seeing someone purchase something that you picked with love. I don't want to sell things people will lose interest in… there are already too many things in this world like that.
I want to write my own script of what my life will be — I’m pretty much done trying to live a life that doesn't feel authentic to me. I did the 9 to 5, I had the corporate job and lifestyle. I am not against it, but I want to see what else is out there. I am certain the waters are deep and possibilities are endless.
What is next for me... I will continue to travel, hunt for, and curate objects that I love. My love for vintage clothing and objects is something I am sure I will never lose. Whether this manifests into another pop-up boutique or something online, I’m not entirely sure at the moment. I see so much potential for online businesses, but I love interacting with customers. There is a certain level of satisfaction to be had with seeing someone purchase something that you picked with love. I don't want to sell things people will lose interest in… there are already too many things in this world like that.
I want to write my own script of what my life will be — I’m pretty much done trying to live a life that doesn't feel authentic to me. I did the 9 to 5, I had the corporate job and lifestyle. I am not against it, but I want to see what else is out there. I am certain the waters are deep and possibilities are endless.