INTERVIEW BY Giulia Juliet Belkin
How do you top being a muse to the nation’s top designers? By becoming the face of France, as Ines de la Fressange did when she was chosen as Marianne, the symbol of the country, in 1989.
All that is cool and elegant and stylish about French women is Ines de la Fressange. In the '80s Inès de la Fressange reigned as the Supermodel. She was a muse to Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel throughout the decade.
As a celebrated author and designer, a perfumer, a model, and a mother, there was no one I wanted to meet and talk with more than the legendary Ines. I finally had the pleasure of sitting down with de la Fressange for a chat over coffee about being a muse and honing her personal style during my visit to Paris for Paris Fashion Week. And I got to see first Ines de la Fressange Spring/Summer 2020 collection which took place at Maison Dentsu.
Today Fressange is on her tenth collaboration with the Japanese brand Uniqlo and continues her ambassadorship for Roger Vivier since 2003.
Photo: Benoit Peverelli
Giulia: You've been Karl Lagerfeld's muse and Chanel ambassador for many years, what is the secret to your elegance?
Ines: Ahh thank you! Mmmmhhh you want me to be pretentious so this wouldn’t be so elegant ! (laughs) Let’s say I don’t try to show off (wearing ostentatious outfits for instance…)
Giulia: What do you think is, essentially, the allure of the Parisian woman?
Ines: A mix between casual & sophisticated with great freedom.
Giulia: I am sure you are aware there are many American women who want to dress like the French, but which American would you make an honorary French woman?
Photo: Benoit Peverelli
Ines: Oh I love this question! (laughs) Let’s start by saying I love American style and that american women don’t need to look, French. But let’s play the game, I would say Cate Blanchett ( I know she is also Australian) she is quite minimalist but never boring.
Giulia: What is your ultimate Parisian beauty secret?
Ines: I don’t have facial surgery and I laugh.
Giulia: You have just released your latest collaboration with Uniqlo called Megève. What can you tell our fashionistas about this collection?
Ines: That even if it’s freezing cold you can be elegant without catching a cold.(Megève is in the mountains)
Photo: Dominique Maitre
Giulia: How do you feel about influencers and bloggers today?
Ines: They are fun but I rather give interest to creative people.
Giulia: Whom do you follow on social media?
Ines: Leandra Medine: she is witty and bright. @Capucineschall: a genius !
Giulia: What do you think of fashion in general today?
Ines: Schizophrenic: you can chose to look like a bourgeoise, a rapper or a cowgirl !
Giulia: Can you highlight some of the new designers today who catches your eye?
Ines: Diane Ducasse ( very nice suits, you will discover her soon). Jacquemus ,it’s fresh and jolly.
Giulia: Do you like vintage clothing? Why?
Ines: I rather like them for inspiration because there are always interesting details but finally I don’t like to wear them.
Giulia: You don't age. Do you come to surgery when it comes to aging?
Ines: Thank you! listen today I want to tell you that I have never seen results on somebody that I liked but later maybe I will be depressed like an old sunset boulevard star and I will be full of Botox! (laughs)
Giulia: How do you feel about aging? Do you think it can be a beautiful art?
Ines: Honestly? It’s not such a pleasure for your face but great for the mind. One learns how to let go easier. Lately because of the loss of Peter Lindbergh we saw many of his pictures, his sense of the beauty of women is so benevolent and sensitive, I wish it could change the general idea women should only be twenty years old with a lot of Photoshop!
Giulia: What is next for Ines?
Ines: -Launching of a book « Parisian Chic » ( the new version of the one done 10 years ago)
-New collection for Ines de la Fressange Paris (my own brand) (www.inesdelafressange.fr)
-New year for my newsletter (www.lalettredines.fr)
-Opening of new shops for Roger Vivier
-Holidays in Argentina hopefully !
That’s all folks!
“The wealthiest people aren’t the most stylish.
Usually, when women can afford to shop in luxury stores, they’ll buy everything there. It’s better to try the high-street shops to buy a denim shirt or wear a T-shirt instead of a blouse under a jacket. I often look in the men’s and children’s departments too – in fashion, nobody should have prejudices.”
Mother and son, two of the finest alpinists of their eras, gone too soon, a quarter of a century apart.