Money & Career

marie claire Chats With Soula-Marie Perdis

While Napoleon Perdis is the creative force and public face of his eponymous beauty brand, it’s been his wife Soula-Marie – with her flair for finance and operations – who has been instrumental in growing the company into a global success story.
Carlotta Moye

Describe your style.

I would describe my style as classic, but as much as I can it’s to the minute. I’m he type of person who decides what I’m going to wear that morning. It totally depends on how I’m feeling – I might wear a top-to-toe structured ’60s look, or I might do something casual and wear jeans and a leather bomber jacket.

What’s your go-to staple?

I wear a lot of black as it looks good through the day and night. I love the separates by Toni Maticevski – I like to mix them up and wear different pieces with them – swap out the skirt for jeans. I love the variety.

Morning-rush beauty routine?

We have a number of cleansers and I change them all the time. At the moment I am addicted to the donkey milk cleanser because I find it cleanses and hydrates my skin at the same time. Then I use our serum and an eye cream. I’ll choose

my foundation based on what I have planned for the day, either our China Doll which is more matt, or Personal Trainer, which is a lot more dewy and fresh on my face.

Who is your style crush?

I adore Sophia Loren – you know I have never seen her in a bad photo. She is such a classic beauty.

Your biggest splurge?

A few years ago, while on a summer vacation in Greece I bought a gold choker, which has just been one of those fabulous pieces. It looks good with everything from a white shirt to the most expensive evening gown. I will have it forever and then my four daughters will have to fight for it.

What have you and Napoleon learnt from working together?

We are such opposites and I think we really complement each other – in both the marriage and the business. I was shy – very introverted – and he really brought me out of my shell, which I really appreciated. He’s such a larger-than-life personality and I keep him grounded.

Your key to success?

I never think that I know everything. You can learn things from all sorts of people so I’m not afraid to ask questions.

Your most thrilling moment as COO?

There are two – the first was our 10-year anniversary in 2005. It was great to see how much we had grown since that initial $1000 investment. The second was about eight years later when Napoleon opened on Fifth Avenue in Bergdorf Goodman. This was the ultimate as far as achieving luxury retailing. It’s been such an amazing ride. I never would have imagined being in this position 20 years ago. But it has happened bit-by-bit with lots of learnings along the way.

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