A day in the life of Swann Borsellino

A day in the life of Swann Borsellino

Interviews

Photos Lucile Casanova

Words Matthieu Morge-Zucconi

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The journalist and RTBF panelist talks darts, naps and hair wax.

Cliquez ici pour le lire en français.

While only 27 years young, it feels like Swann Borsellino has already lived several lives. The former Editor-in-Chief of French football magazine So Foot’s immensely popular website has now taken his journalistic talents to brands and agencies. You might even see him discussing football on Belgian TV. He met with us in Paris, a hat glued to his head throughout the interview, to talk darts, the importance of napping, and wax pomade.

Hello, could you introduce yourself to our readers?

My name is Swann, and I’m 27. I’m generally considered to be a journalist. I worked for So Foot for a long time, and now I do freelance work for the Bros. Stories agency, Adidas, and Belgian TV channel RTBF, amongst others.

How did you start working for So Foot?

It started in 2010, when I was 19. At that point in my life, I had no idea what I was going to do with myself. I enjoyed reading So Foot, so I wrote to Stéphane Régy, one of the magazine’s editors-in-chief, to ask for advice. A week later - when he was actually on his holidays - he sent me a super sweet reply I’ll never forget. He said “With a name such as Swann Borsellino, the odds of you wasting your life are zero to none”. He didn’t immediately offer an internship at So Foot, and I don’t think they had room for me anyway. The call came for the World Cup, and I stayed with them for seven years.

What made you want to leave and try something new?

I was 26, and the Editor-in-Chief of So Foot’s website, which was a super big deal. It felt like I had graduated. I don’t really believe that you can ever see or do it all, but it certainly felt like I did, in a way. I clearly needed something else. I started taking on freelance work when a friend of mine who was working on the campaign announcing Puma as the Olympique de Marseille’s new sponsor asked me for help. I really enjoyed it, and that’s what I do full time now.

What would you say your current job consists in?

JI like having ideas, and telling stories, that’s what I do. People tend to avoid mixing journalism and communication as it’s not looked upon favourably, but I have no problem with it. I do a lot of my work for Bros., where I have my office, as well as Adidas, and the RTBF in Belgium, where I work on a show which airs every other Thursday, after having done the entire 2018 World Cup with them.

How did that happen?

I first worked with the RTBF when I’d only just started at So Foot. Back then, I had a horrendous wet gel-based hairstyle and a Captain Tsubasa t-shirt… Hard times (laughs)! The show I talked on was presented by Michel Lecomte, who has since become the Head of Sport Programmes for the channel. I kept in touch, and they offered to host me for the World Cup. It was insane, I spent a full month living in a hotel. At first, I stood out for all the wrong reasons, I had to wear flip-flops on set because I’d just had a motorbike accident. It ended up in the news, it was nuts. But they really took to me. During the Belgium v. Japan game there was a video of me celebrating Chadli’s goal as if the Olympique de Marseille had just scored! I think they must have thought I was a fun guy.

What’s your current role for the RTBF?

I work on the Europa League. We have a pre-game show, a post-game show, and a magazine after that. It goes on for hours, it starts at 6pm and ends at 12:30am. I consider it a true moment of freedom.

How do you stay stylish for TV?

The Horace wax pomade is a good start! First, because it helps to not have to run your hands through your hair every five minutes, tics - nervous or other - look terrible on TV. I like the fact that the Horace wax leaves no hard residue, and you only need a small amount.

Your hair is your signature feature - you were even a model for our range of hair products. How do you take care of it?

It’s true that I’m known for my hair, and the Larose Paris hats I get from my friend Marc Beaugé. I’ve always had long-ish hair. I’m not one to brag, but I have very nice hair. My dad had amazing ponytails, my mum gorgeous black hair, I’m very lucky. This doesn’t mean I’m immune to poor decisions, such as dyeing my hair red to be like Fredrik Ljunberg. With regard to haircare, I find that dirty hair is easier to style than clean hair. My clean hair is horrible, hence the hats to hide or help style it! I have to get it cut often, as it tends to grow back quickly, in particular on the sides. So, I’m at the hairdresser’s once a month to avoid looking like a cauliflower head.

What about your skin routine?

JI stick to the basic of basics, although people probably believe I take way more care of myself than I really do! I wash my face every night. Very important. I use a Bioderma face wash or the Horace cleanser. I use a lot of moisturiser. I have a La Roche-Posay cream I really like. Life in a relationship has also had the side effect of bringing face masks into my routine.

Do you wear perfume?

Yes. My mum has always had a lot of perfumes. Back when I wore a Lacoste fragrance like everybody else, I went through her collection and discovered Serge Lutens’ Eau Froide, which I love. I also like Happy by Clinique a lot, as well as CK One, even though plenty of people wear it. It smells very nice. While we’re on the topic, I also really like the Horace deodorant’s scent. There’s something about eucalyptus that I really enjoy. And if I ever get a cold, it will unblock my nose quicker than the Vicks on Patrick Vieira’s kit (laughs). There’s nothing bad about that!

Do you play any sports?

I play football regularly with a team of friends, on Friday evenings in the amateur league, as well as with my former So Foot colleagues. I actually plan on heading out to play after this interview! Other than that, I’ve been a member of the Hurling Pub’s dart team for the past 7 or 8 years. It’s a pub in Paris’ 5th arrondissement, my uncle works there, and that’s where I learned how to play darts with Dominique Leroy, who was the French champion! I go once a week, it’s a nice isolated bubble, where nobody will ask me about work.

Speaking of which, do you ever need to completely switch off?

When you do freelance work, and you’re anxiety-prone by nature, some situations can be difficult, and you often feel under pressure. I try to take care of myself. I learned that with time. I was 23 when I became So Foot’s web Editor-in-Chief, and I didn’t have the emotional maturity to handle it. I wasn’t ready for the level of involvement it required. I’ve learned how to switch off, whether with a beer, a game of darts, or a nap. I love napping, but never more than 35 minutes at a time!

Swann Borsellino's products

Purifying Face Cleanser
12h Protection Deodorant