Dr. Chris Phillips on Quality.

As an internationally respected equine veterinarian, Chris Phillip's career has taken him from the Royal Veterinary College in London to some of the world's leading thoroughbred breeding operations, where judgment, patience, and attention to detail are part of everyday life.

•

Has your definition of quality changed over the years?

My definition of quality hasn't changed over the years; it's become more noticeable and easier to identify outside my native industry of equine veterinary medicine.

What does quality actually mean to you?

To me, quality is a combination of many factors: craftsmanship, functionality, execution, intention and design. Many of these can exist in isolation, but it's only when they come together that quality is truly realised.

What separates something that's merely expensive from something that's genuinely exceptional?

I don't think the two are directly linked. Things can be expensive yet lack quality, just as they can be inexpensive and exceptionally well made. Quality is independent of price.

Have you always appreciated well-made things, or is that something you've learnt?

I've always appreciated well-made things. What I've learnt over the years is to recognise and appreciate quality in industries outside my own.

Do you think people are becoming more interested in how things are made?

For those who aren't, I think they might be after experiencing the Milagro towel! More seriously, I do think people are beginning to appreciate products that are made to last, and that exists across every price point.

Is there something satisfying about owning fewer things, but better ones?

Personally, yes. I'd much rather buy something that has been thoughtfully designed and made with the intention of lasting than something that hasn't.

What characteristics do genuinely well-made products tend to share?

The best materials, thoughtful and carefully curated design, and the involvement of skilled craftspeople. It's rarely one thing—it's the combination of all of them.

Before Perrault, had you ever thought much about towels or bedding?

Not really—at least not in the way you're asking. I'd often wonder why I was still wet after using a towel, or why I always seemed to sleep so well in hotels with crisp sheets. But I hadn't really considered how much better bedding or towels could improve everyday life. That's something that's only come since starting Perrault.

Was there one product that completely changed your perception?

It would be difficult to choose just one, but from a towel perspective, it has to be the Milagro. I no longer have to put my clothes on while I'm still damp. It's such a luxurious towel and I genuinely love using it.

Has living with exceptional products changed your expectations?

Absolutely. Once you've experienced the benefits of genuinely well-made products, it's very hard to go back. I don't think I'll ever happily sleep in low thread count sheets again.

What everyday object do you think deserves more attention?

Sheets. We spend more than a third of our lives in bed—far more time than we spend on our sofas, in our cars or even at work. We expect so much from our sleep, yet rarely invest in making it better. Sheet neglect becomes sleep neglect, which ultimately becomes self-neglect.

Is there one item in your home you now couldn't imagine replacing with an ordinary version?

Towels. I can't go back to still feeling wet and cold after supposedly drying myself.

What's something you use every day that quietly improves your life?

Without question, good towels and good sheets. They're things you use every single day, yet we often underestimate just how much they contribute to our comfort and wellbeing.

We live in a world that encourages constant replacement. Do you think people are beginning to value longevity again?

I do. Particularly with today's cost of living, buying the cheapest option isn't always the least expensive in the long run. Products designed to last usually offer far greater value over time.

What's the oldest thing you own that you still genuinely love using?

A Dolce & Gabbana tuxedo. It's nearly twenty years old and, thankfully, it still just fits. It's beautifully made, timeless in its design and a great example of craftsmanship that was built to last.

What makes a house feel like home to you?

Photographs. Willy and I have been fortunate to live in many different places, and it's always the pictures that make somewhere feel like home. They capture moments in our lives and create a sense of familiarity wherever we are.

Is luxury about appearance or about how something makes you feel?

How it makes you feel. Luxury is difficult to define because it means different things to different people. For me, it's something experienced through the senses, including what we seem which together create an emotional response.

You've spent your career making careful decisions. Has that influenced the way you shop?

I take forever to make decisions! I think the biggest similarity is the research. I like to understand what I'm buying, where it's come from and how it's been made. An informed purchase is almost always a better purchase.

Do you trust instinct, or do you research everything?

I research almost everything—or, in Perrault's case, I'm fortunate that Willy has already done much of it. Once I've done the research, though, instinct takes over. If it feels right, I'm comfortable making the purchase.

When you buy something, what convinces you?

I think it's confidence. Confidence that the product has been thoughtfully designed, carefully made and will continue to perform for years to come. That's what ultimately convinces me.

What's one thing you've learnt to appreciate as you've got older?

Connection. When I was younger, my career came before almost everything else. Over time I've realised I get just as much fulfilment from the people around me as I do from my work.

Has your idea of luxury become simpler over time?

I'm not sure it's become simpler—it's probably become better defined. I'm much less interested in trends than I once was. Today, I'm far more interested in how something makes me feel and how well it will stand the test of time.

If you could give someone one piece of advice about creating a beautiful home, what would it be?

Layer it with personality. I'm certainly no interior designer, but the most beautiful homes I've been in all reflect the people who live there. Their homes are an extension of their personalities through the things they've chosen to surround themselves with.

What would you tell someone buying their first piece from Perrault?

That I genuinely don't think they'll be disappointed. Every product has been selected with enormous care. Willy and I care deeply about the makers, the families behind the brands and the stories they represent. When someone buys from Perrault, they're not simply buying an object—they're becoming the next custodian of something we believe is truly exceptional. We hope it's something they'll enjoy and cherish for many years to come.