So Chic…So Parisian!

All over the world, Parisian women have the reputation of being effortlessly chic. They radiate an air of inner confidence and dress in a way that is all at the same time sleek, sexy and simple. Now, one of them, Ines de La Fressange, is sharing many of the secrets she has acquired over the years on the Parisian fashion scene in her 2011 book Parisian Chic: A Style Guide (Originally published in French as La Parisienne).

The 55 year old Ines de la Fressange is your quintessential Parisienne. A former model for Chanel in the 1980’s, she has been the image of Marianne, the symbol of the French Republic, before working as a designer and fashion consultant. Recently, she has been named the chicest woman in France by the readers of Le Figaro and has become the French face of L’Oréal.

With her book, the beautiful brunette wants to get the readers up to speed on Parisian style in a fun way. For instance, in a section entitled Dress Like a Parisian, she lists the 7 essentials every woman should have in her closet: a man’s blazer, a trench coat, a navy sweater, a tank top, a little black dress, jeans and a leather jacket. What to buy, what to wear, when to wear it, you will know all about the Parisian fashionistas’do’s and don’ts.

However, the author does not just give some advice on makeup (“Wear makeup every day, even on weekends. Your family wants to see you at your best, too!”), jewelry (“Never wear a necklace and earrings at the same time—too much!”) and home décor, she also shares her favorite addresses. From museums and shops to spas and restaurants, you will discover a Paris far different from the one described in your guide books.