Lara Kerner on Music, Fitness, and Living Without Limits

Namita Nayyar:

You move seamlessly between high fashion, sportswear, and streetwear—always with intent. Who or what shaped your eye for style, and how did launching your own fashion line (pre-COVID) change how you dress for the stage versus real life?

Lara Kerner:

“Being French naturally gives you an innate appreciation for style, but my deepest aesthetic inspiration came from my beloved aunt, who worked in the heart of the Paris haute couture industry. She was the epitome of elegance and class.

She possessed a legendary eye for fashion; no matter where she walked, she was effortlessly the most dazzling, sophisticated person in the room. Her presence shaped my visual standard.

In everyday life, practicality means you cannot always wear head-turning editorial looks. That is why the stage is such a sanctuary for me. When I perform, I tap into that pure, childlike joy of fashion—treating the stage as a canvas where I can wear daring, dazzling, and utterly dreamy outfits that tell a story.”

Namita Nayyar:

Let’s talk skin care. With a life that spans dry mountain air, humid African climates, and now the UK, what is your non-negotiable skincare ritual—morning and night?

Lara Kerner:

“I have dry, highly sensitive skin, so my absolute non-negotiable priority is maintaining a clean, intensely hydrated skin barrier, adapting my specific products to whatever climate I land in. I have a strong preference for natural, clean formulations and deeply love French skincare houses like Caudalie.

Every single night, without exception, I cleanse my face using pure spring water and raw organic coconut oil. Coconut oil is actually my ultimate secret weapon—it dissolves even the heaviest stage or camera makeup seamlessly without stripping my skin’s natural oils. I follow this with a deeply penetrating hydrating serum, a rich moisturizing cream, and a targeted, nourishing eye cream to lock in moisture while I sleep.”

Namita Nayyar:

Your hair has been through different environments and styling for music videos, acting, and fashion. What are your essential products or practices for keeping it strong and expressive without over-processing?

Lara Kerner:

“Because my hair undergoes constant manipulation for music videos and acting roles, I protect it fiercely by enforcing a very gentle, low-heat styling philosophy. I always communicate clearly with stylists, asking them to handle my hair with absolute gentleness without pulling or causing mechanical stress.

My routine relies on premium, plant-based French hair care brands like Leonor Greyl, René Furterer, and Phyto Paris. I wash with a highly nourishing shampoo and always follow with a deep, intensive repairing mask. My ultimate, non-negotiable hair secret? I always finish every single wash by rinsing my hair with ice-cold water. It instantly seals the cuticles; boosts natural shine, and keeps the strands incredibly strong and expressive.”

Namita Nayyar:

Do you have a pre-show beauty or grooming ritual that helps you transition from the person to the channel?

Lara Kerner:

“Yes, my preparation is an intentional, transformative ritual. It begins in the shower, where I alternate between hot and cold water to instantly shock my nervous system, boost circulation, and flood my body with physical energy. I follow this with a short series of targeted stretches and fluid yoga poses to fully awaken my physical form.

In my day-to-day life, I wear virtually no makeup because I prefer to let my skin breathe. Therefore, the moment I sit down to do my hair and makeup for a performance, it acts as a profound psychological trigger. I can feel my internal energy shift. It is a total metamorphosis—I get overwhelmed with that pure, thrilled excitement of a little girl about to step into a fantasy world, stepping fully out of the ordinary and into the channel.”

Namita Nayyar:

You hold a Master’s in Finance and an engineering degree in computer science. At what point did you decide to walk away from the predictable path and into music, acting, and fashion—and what was the hardest month of that transition?

Lara Kerner:

“The truth is, there was never a brutal or sudden transition because I have always been an artist. Even during my rigorous academic years, I would spend my lunch breaks practicing vocals and spend my evenings in intensive acting courses. Whenever we had complex group presentations in university, I was always the one stepping forward to command the room and deliver the performance.

I never truly wanted to do anything else, but I deliberately chose to complete my degrees in finance and computer science because I wanted to hold my destiny firmly in my own hands. In the modern creative landscape, artists must be entrepreneurs. My scholarship was about empowerment; it equipped me with the foundational skills to operate as an independent businesswoman who understands the structural mechanics of her own industry. I always visualized myself at the intersection of art and business—creative vision backed by analytical execution.”

Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.