French women know style. As we head to Paris for the SS16 menswear shows, we're inspired by four fashionable French women to add a little bit of Parisian je ne sais quoi to our wardrobes.
By Natalie Trevis
Clémence Poésy
Actress Clémence Poésy, born in a southern suburb of Paris, is possessed of the easy, carefree style that comes so naturally to French women. Known for her roles in the Harry Potter franchise (2005-2011), 127 Hours (2010) and Birdsong (2012) alongside Eddie Redmayne, it is Clémence’s off-duty style that puts her firmly on our radar. And we’re not the only ones. Poésy returned as the face of a Chloé fragrance this year, Love Story, starring in a campaign film directed by Mélanie Laurent in which she is whisked through Paris in a romantic floral gown by the house to the whimsical vocals of Vanessa Paradis. ‘She captures in her spirit both the effortless, free nature of Chloé but also the playful charm that is so true to the Maison and what is so modern now,’ said designer Clare Waight Keller. With the grace of a young Jean Seberg, 32-year-old Poésy sticks to her signature style of minimal makeup, tousled natural waves and luxe bohemia. Whether dishevelled oversized shirts tucked into skinny-fit trousers or understated red carpet glamour, Poésy channels her style icon, Jane Birkin, at every turn.
Actress Clémence Poésy. All images courtesy of Corbis.^
Caroline de Maigret
Caroline de Maigret knows the power of French style. So much so that the aristocratic model, muse and Chanel ambassador has written a book about it. If the tongue-in-cheek How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are: Love, Style and Bad Habits (co-authored by fellow style mavens Anne Berest, Audrey Diwan and Sophie Mas) gives a glimpse into the decadent lives of the talented Parisiennes, then de Maigret’s style does the same when it comes to perfecting Gallic magnificence. Shot by fashion photography greats from Testino to Lagerfeld during her modeling career – she made a notable comeback in 2011 on the Chanel runway at the age of 35 - if de Maigret needed a further injection of cool we need only mention that she owns rock music label Bonus Tracks Records with her partner Yarol Poupaud (the pair were nominated for a César for Best Soundtrack for the film Bus Palladium in 2011). Most often seen in monochromatic androgynous ensembles, de Maigret favours mannish tuxedo jackets, wide-leg white trousers and slim fit jeans with brogues. Long bed-head bangs a la Brigitte Bardot, a signature hairstyle among the French fashion elite, complete the covetable look.
Model and muse, Caroline de Maigret. All images courtesy of Corbis.^
Aymaline Valade
You may have seen French model and actress Aymaline Valade on the red carpet at the CFDAs, clad in louche eveningwear by The Row and towering regally over the triumphant Olsen twins (crowned Best Womenswear Designers of 2015). Making her debut on the runway at Nicolas Ghesquière’s SS11 Balenciaga show, Valade and her cut-glass cheekbones have since turned out for everyone from Alexander Wang to Lanvin, adding campaigns for Bottega Veneta, Chanel and Giorgio Armani along the way. Naturally, the camera loves Valade, who moves with an easy elegance that comes from years of training in classical dance. Chunky knits, tweedy trousers and a love of quirky tailoring combine to make Aymaline’s off-duty model style as thoughtful as anything seen on the runway. A penchant for masculine silhouettes (something of a theme among our French style icons) is offset by her fine bone structure and platinum locks, which are the product of the eight bleaches it took to achieve the exact hair colour of Yves Saint Laurent’s muse, Betty Catroux, whom Valade played in Bertrand Bonello’s film Saint Laurent (2014). Blonde or brunette, Aymaline Valade’s artfully layered street style means she is always camera ready.
Model Aymeline Valade. All images courtesy of Corbis.^
Jeanne Damas
It-girl and front row regular Jeanne Damas is rarely without a red lip. Her trademark doe-eyed beauty look adds polish to her high-low style, which for day is usually a combination of high-waisted blue jeans and slouchy t-shirts and for night, simple shift dresses and plunge-necked playsuits. Often described as France’s answer to Alexa Chung, Damas charms with a casual indie style that is always imbued with teen spirit. Translating her effortless style to the screen for label & Other Stories last year, theatre student Damas stepped into the spotlight as the adorable Narcisse in a short film directed by Wendy McColm. Whether or not the big screen beckons – Damas has said she would rather direct than be directed – this quintessential Parisienne flies the flag for the next generation of French style icons.
Parisian It-girl, model and blogger, Jeanne Damas. All images courtesy of Corbis.^
See more French-inspired beauty with Lea Seydoux’s Laidback Plait, Marion Cotillard’s beauty revolution and the Cannes Film Festival as Seen in MOJEH.
