The life of Emily Gorelik, a 23-year-old designer, was well documented on season 1 of Bravo TV’s “Real Girlfriends in Paris.” Gorelik was born in New Jersey and she grew up inspired by her mother’s New York-based interiors brand, Interior Production, which is no stranger to the East End, having been part of over 50 projects in the region.
While the expat chronicles her life in Paris, we learn about a real “Emily in Paris” — a comparison she receives often and embraces — through her internship with Sonia Rykiel, her relationships with a group of American friends, and her plans to expand her family’s business to Paris.
We caught up with Gorelik to learn more about her experience and inspirations in the City of Lights.
Can you tell us about your experience filming Bravo’s “Real Girlfriends in Paris”?
Given that I’d already been living in Paris for two years prior to filming, “Real Girlfriends in Paris” gave me the opportunity to share my experience of life abroad as a young American student in Paris. I think there are a lot of stereotypes that exist about young students or expats like myself — that life is one big Parisian fairytale filled with croissants every morning, museums every day, and long walks along the Seine river. While these parts of our Parisian life are true, filming the show allowed me to also bring to light other parts of my life that may not be so perfect and glamorized. Forcing myself to be vulnerable and completely transparent in front of the cameras was an adjustment, but watching it play back now on the screen makes it all worth it. Especially at the age of 23, watching myself mature and plant my roots here in Paris in front of the camera brings about a rollercoaster of emotions filled with both pride and sometimes even humility, as well as moments of regret and then moments of empathy. More than anything, being able to film it all while living a life I am so proud to have built with friends I adore, is a dream.
Tell us a little about your background and what brought you to Paris.
Both of my parents emigrated from Eastern Europe to Brooklyn in the 1980s. There, they started our family, businesses, and life in America. My immigrant background played a core role in my life growing up — and fueled my desire to immerse myself in different cultures and gain and overall general curiosity of the world. My parents always engrained their gratitude for the US and how this country is the reason we are. Yet, I always felt a deep sense to experience something new.
Thus, growing up in a small town in North Jersey, travelling with my family was something I always looked forward to. My hobbies as a 15 year old consisted of planning out European itineraries for fun or for friends. I had spent the entirety of my high school years immersing myself in French classes, and dreaming of France. So when I started my studies at New York University, I hoped to learn more about the world and my place in it.
After my freshman year, I took a spontaneous solo trip to Paris because of my previous studies in French. It was during my time there when I realized just how big and beautiful the world is, and that the only way to learn about it is by seeing it with my own eyes and experiencing it first hand. I would step outside of my Airbnb, and instantly be greeted by aesthetics, history, architecture, culture. I fell in love with the pace of life, the emphasis on aesthetics, and most importantly, with myself. I contemplated, and decided, that a year in Paris would satisfy my hunger to travel Europe and immerse myself more in architecture and design. A year quickly turned into three, and I still find myself learning new things about Paris and myself every day.
It’s refreshing to see a reality show with a group of girlfriends who really support each other’s lives and dreams. Was this something that was important to you when signing on to do the show?
What is great about the show is that it captures just that — real relationships between a group of expat women. Upon agreeing to do the show, I was very weary and adamant about the fact that I want my life and friendships to be perceived as authentically as possible. The world has enough fictionalized versions of Paris with “Emily in Paris” or other glamorized pop culture. I wanted to show something different, something real. The tight-knit expat community is a core example and aspect of my real life here in Paris. It’s an amazing tool for assimilating into life here as a foreigner, for retaining a sense of home and belonging when far away from your actual home. That is precisely what the show emphasizes with the friendships between us six girls, and I am beyond grateful for that.
Your family runs the New York-based interiors brand, Interior Production. Talk a little about the company and what made you decide to bring the business to Paris.
My high school years were spent shadowing my mom in her production workroom in Manhattan. I like to say that my high school was the design world, where I was thoroughly immersed in all aspects of the field — fabric picking, pattern matching, sewing, installation. There has never been a doubt in my mind that interior design was my future, I just didn’t know how. Upon arriving to Paris for the first time, the aesthetics of the city just sent my already design obsessed mind wild. It clicked immediately, that this is the city in which I want to continue my studies and ultimately my practice of design. Practicing design in a city where people take pride in craftsmanship, where a myriad of galleries are at your fingertips, where the architecture brings you back centuries — that was the dream and forever an inspiration.
As an expat in Paris who is not native French speaking, being in the Parisian design world feels a bit less intimidating when passionate about learning, doing, and succeeding here. Every day, a new door opens whether it’s through an internship or learning something new at a random exhibition. I would love to go international and bring Interior Production to Paris.
The company has worked on projects on the East End, including a Hamptons villa with Stacey Gendelman Designs. Can you tell us a little about the work Interior Productions has done in the region?
We have had more than 50 jobs in the Hamptons, ranging from draperies, upholstery, custom-built furniture, headboards, pillows. We see a larger influx of Hamptons demand in the months leading up to the summer. You’ll find us throughout the whole area finishing up final installations before the Fourth of July every year.
Who are some designers that you work with on the East End?
Eric Cohler Design, J Cohler Mason Design, Jennifer Post Design Inc., Stacey Gendelman Designs, Pappas Miron, and Dunagan Diverio Design Group.
How did the idea for your custom curated pillow cover collection come about?
The first thing I ever learned to sew in my mom’s workroom was a pillow cover. I was eight, and instantly became fascinated with adding pillows to any and every space. For my friends’ birthday parties, I would show up with gifts of custom pillows. I even had my own birthday party where I had 23 of my classmates come to learn how to sew pillows. I just loved how you can create something beautiful, cozy, while completely changing a space, with the right fabric. I can spend hours searching textiles and fabric shopping. So it’s no surprise that here in Paris, my first way of ever bringing a bit of my interior design background was through making pillows for friends or now selling them online at my newly launched website, emilyg.com.
What are some interior design trends that you’re loving at the moment?
One trend I am so excited about is the holistic, nature-focused spaces — “moving the outside in.” For me, I have always been incorporating plants, natural lighting, wood finishes, and nature-inspired colors like green into my space. It’s amazing to see how this trend is only growing more popular. Not only is it calming to walk into a room with natural elements, but it is also spreading sustainability into interior design. This also leans into the trend of organic shapes and materials — curvaceous objects, mineral tones, and earthy textures.
Something I am also growing more fascinated with is the use of marble or statement stones in spaces. It was here in Europe where I got to visit some beautiful galleries and quarries when I started appreciating the beauty of marble countertops juxtaposed with bold colors in interiors. I see this becoming a larger trend.
Talk about your experience working with Sonia Rykiel and how you are blending your love of interior design and fashion design?
My experience with Sonia Rykiel was both challenging and rewarding. Considering I am still trying to perfect my French in a corporate French environment, the language barrier was most definitely noticed. I had to step outside of my comfort zone, and communicate with my co-workers and boss in French — even when I wasn’t sure of myself, and was afraid to sound foolish. But as with any new language that you learn in school, untying your tongue and actually starting to converse professionally is a process. Being the sole American in the company helped me gain confidence — not only in the language, but more so in my ability to assimilate into any new environment. To me, that is one of the most important lessons for young adults trying to break into any field, especially fashion.
As much as I adore fashion and the entire experience of Sonia Rykiel, it was no surprise that I gravitated towards incorporating interior design into my internship. They had just moved into a new showroom and office space, and I saw this as an opportunity to do something that would benefit both the showroom, while also putting my foot in the door with interior design in Paris. As seen on the finale episode of “Real Girlfriends in Paris,” I pitched to custom make luxury sheer draperies for the space. It was an intimidating process — from pitching to my boss, to time managing the production process back in New York City, to the final installation. But it came out beautifully, and I proved to myself that you can find an opportunity to immerse yourself within your passion regardless of what you do.
You must receive comparisons to “Emily in Paris.” Thoughts on the show vs. real life in Paris?
Every day. When I introduce myself, the first comment I get is “Oh, Emily in Paris?” Truthfully, it’s not too far off. I typically laugh along and embrace it, because my life in many ways is the same. The show is spot on with a lot of stereotypes, like the language barriers, the cultural differences, the behavior of Americans among a group of French. We definitely stand out, and the show really got that. So no, the show didn’t get anything wrong about life, in fact whatever was captured I’d say was true, just not a full in depth picture of life as a young adult in Paris. The use of public transportation, the conversations about visa struggles, the realistic wardrobe, what it’s like to actually date in Paris — these are just a few of the examples that the show struggles to convey.
When you have free time in Paris, where do you like to go?
My free time in Paris is devoted to anything cultural, truly. I’ve lived here three years and still feel as though there is so much left to see. That’s what is so special about this city — the amount of history, art, and culture is endless. One can never find themself bored or out of things to do and see. Whether it’s a part of a museum you haven’t explored, a park to read a book or people watch, an arrondissement you never find yourself in, or simply just strolling along the Seine. My free time is devoted to fully living out the cliché, and absorbing as much of the city as possible.
However, my favorite place to go is Les Puces de Saint-Ouen — one of the largest antique flea markets in the world. Held every Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, the market has the largest concentration of antique dealers. I love going whenever I have a weekend off just to visit the different markets, talk and connect with dealers, gather inspiration, and source pieces for clients and designers back home. This is the spot for a designer for inspiration.
What does the perfect day look like?
A perfect day in Paris is always found in the springtime — somewhere around April or May. You’ll find the sun shining, a perfect climate, the trees blooming — yet the absence of the mass tourists. It’s when you are able to stroll down the streets in peace, attend all of the museums, bask in the parks with no crowds. I would walk downstairs with my basket bag, head to the food markets of Bastille, pass by a boulangerie for a croissant and cafe creme.
My favorite part of Spring in Paris is how social life becomes an outdoor activity — I would meet up with my friends for a picnic on the Champs des Mars in front of the Eiffel Tower, or walk along the Seine with a date. Essentially, a perfect Parisian day is indeed a cliche, and I am so okay with that.
