In our exclusive interview, the renowned singer-supermodel Carla Bruni discusses her dedication to philanthropy and her new album. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The couturier Jean-Paul Gaultier is an executive member of the foundation. What does he bring to it?

He brought so much. He helped us with the scholarships for fashion and he didn't only bring ideas - he was present all the time to talk and meet with students.

Gaultier famously said, "Modeling is the only activity where men are paid less than women." Did you become a model because it was the only job where you would make more money than a man?

(laughs) Not really! But I noticed that when I was modeling, that statement is true. It's also because the cosmetics or jewelry markets are much smaller for men than they have been for women. The trend of sophistication for men is quite recent, commercially speaking.

When and why did you become an artist? Was it because of your mother, who was a pianist?

Music was surely familiar to me - my father also loved it - and both of my parents were very encouraging. I don't remember when it started, but I've always been creating; as I child, I would always write little songs. But until much later, I didn't dare to think of myself as an artist, though I was singing, writing and performing for my friends on a daily basis. I just didn't think something so pleasant could become a job, you know.

Why did you decide to become a singer?

I needed someone to sing my songs. At the beginning, I thought that I would write music for other people, but I quickly understood that I was the only one who could sing my lyrics - they were too personal.

Have you kept those first songs you've written?

Yes - I even recorded some of them.

What were they about?

Always the same ... Love, loss - and lust. (smiles mischievously)

Your first album sold two million copies in France alone and received numerous awards worldwide. Did you ever imagine you would find such tremendous success with just your voice and a guitar?

I could never have imagined it. I was hoping that people would appreciate it, but I had incredible luck. Great success is always a matter of good timing - and luck.

And talent.

And luck. (smiles humbly)

When you're not playing music or spending time with your family, what do you do at home?

I love gardening. I don't know if I have a "green thumb", as they say, but I get a lot of pleasure in taking care of my plants and flowers. A neat garden is like a little slice of paradise. I also like the fact that gardening is a mix of savoir faire, talent, timing and luck - a bit like making an album!

I'd like to turn to Asia, particularly China and Hong Kong. What do you know about this part of the world?

I know too little, regretfully. Regarding China, I've only been there twice.

My first journey was an official state visit with my husband in 2011 - it was incredible. We didn't have much time, but we had the chance to discover very special parts of the Great Wall, wander through the Forbidden City ... it was a fantastic trip, four magical days from Beijing to Shanghai. And as a model in the late '90s, I traveled to Hong Kong, an incredible city that astonished me from the very first moment. Oh, I forgot to mention, I also love Chinese food.

A lot of people in Europe fear China as a threat to the Western world. What are your thoughts? Do you fear China?

No, but I can feel the power of this country and its clout, as well as the beauty of their youth. I've seen incredibly beautiful women in China and Hong Kong. Men also, in their twenties, who are astonishingly beautiful.

When I was working for Bulgari, I met some of the most amazingly flawless Chinese models. That was when I realized another type of skin could wear jewelry even better than dark skin, which showcases jewelry perfectly. Chinese skin is absolutely incredible, especially for jewelry, because it has something blue - so pale, so transparent. And their hair, their necks ... it can be so sensual. Asian women could be the most beautiful in the world ... the men also, but their refinement, their grace and their finesse has something feminine to me.

In your private life, do you wear a lot of jewelry?

Surprisingly, not very often. Except for grand occasions, I almost never wear jewels. Really, I'm not very concerned about my outfits or my appearance.

Some women - and men - are obsessed with that, but I'm not.

Do you hope that in the future, clothing will be less gender-marked?

Yes. Indeed, men already wear dresses. It doesn't suit them all, but the first Jean-Paul Gaultier couture show had men wearing dresses and skirts, and with makeup - that was amazing.

Nowadays, the "official" masculine apparel is often dull and boring when compared to its feminine counterpart.

I wish men could allow themselves more extravagancy in the way the dress without being considered punks.

If you had to live on a desert island for one year with three fashion designers, alive or dead, who would you choose?

(laughs) What a question! Okay ... I would pick ...

(China Daily 04/15/2017 page17)