We all know that our American cousins love the French and Paris in particular. Somehow they’ve got the reputation for being effortlessly stylish, chic and arrogant which infuriatingly contributes to their ‘cool’ factor and their ‘je ne sais quoi’. Putain, how do they do it!?
Madewell has cunningly cottoned on to this open secret and aligned themselves for the AW 2013 season with achingly cool Parisian model, mum and music producer Caroline de Maigret. Never heard of her? Don’t worry, I hadn’t either but I’ve since fallen in love with her ‘romantic tomboy style’. That and the fact that she’s in her late thirties. Just by being herself as well as reading her Madewell interview she’s sold the entire collection to me. I’m sure Madewell’s marketing and Social Media guru’s are climaxing right now but you’ve got to hand it to them. This is top notch marketing of a VERY good product.
I couldn’t help including an excerpt of Caroline’s interview with Madewell as it demonstrates all that I love about fashion and ok, I admit it: Fench style! [Please read with a French accent and a croissant.]
WHAT’S YOUR APPROACH TO STYLE?
It’s almost unconscious. A lot of it comes from what my mother taught me: to seek out a nice cut and a quality fabric. It’s in our roots not to show off or be too ostentatious, but rather to understand the classic beauty in the understated.
OTHER THAN YOUR MOM, WHO HAS INFLUENCED YOUR STYLE THE MOST?
My boyfriend taught me to have fun with clothes and to look in the mirror and find that little twist, that one signature or special item. I don’t follow trends but my style evolves with fashion in the sense that I incorporate new pieces into my wardrobe every season—a mix of closet staples with a few of those statement pieces to give it that unique twist.
YOU WEAR A LOT OF HATS. HOW DO YOU TRANSITION FROM A DAY SPENT IN THE STUDIO TO HEADING OUT AT NIGHT?
In France, we dress the same almost 24 hours a day. What you wear during the day can always take you out at night, because it’s already cool enough…I only wear things that can carry me from day to night.
So without further ado, here’s my AW 2013 Madewell moodboard featuring the coolest chick this side of the Atlantic. Alexa Chung eat your heart out!
CREATE THE LOOK WITH STYLEJUICER AND POLYVORE
Such is my affection for the brand that I’ve even created a MADEWELL AW 2013 collection with key pieces.
I must be mad!
Enjoy and I hope you’re inspired!
More information & photography | Madewell