Use Your Instagram Feed to Master Parisian Style
Nail that je ne sais quoi, one follow at a time.
Bless Uniqlo for giving us a shortcut to effortless French style. The fast-fashion brand just announced that it will collaborate yet again with French model, designer, and fashion icon Ines de la Fressange on a 75-piece collection for spring and summer. The line, which is inspired by the city of Marseille, hits select stores and Uniqlo's site on February 3rd. So to tide us over until then, here are 15 French It-Girls you should add to your Instagram feed.
From a former First Lady to a curvy model who's making headlines, these are women who will inspire you to update your closet, if not book a trip to Paris.
Quintessential French blogger Garance Doré spent a decade musing about life and style in New York, but she just made a big move to Los Angeles. She’s beloved for her charming fashion illustrations, and her ability to makes simple pieces look so pulled together. As you can imagine, she wears stripes really well.
Thylane Blondeau made her runway debut at age 4 for Jean Paul Gaultier, and at age 15, she’s already been modeling for over a decade. The controversially gorgeous Thylane puts her own spin on teen celeb style, right down to chokers and Thrasher sweatshirts.
French-American model and ultimate cool girl Camille Rowe’s 2016 included walking in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show and covering Playboy. We’re following her adventures on Instagram, whether it’s skinnydipping in Big Sur or filming wellness videos for British Vogue. Rowe’s laid-back fashion sense leans on vintage tees, oversize sunglasses, and a trusty Jane Birkin-esque straw basket.
Isabelle Thomas is a personal shopper and she knows of what she speaks: she co-authored the book Paris Street Style: A Guide to Effortless Chic, along with other tomes about finding your own signature style. We admire her creativity and her ability to pull off anything, namely socks and heels.
Carla Bruni is a singer and former supermodel, but she became one of the most famous faces in the world as the First Lady of France. She made headlines with her sophisticated style as First Lady (think chic suits, sheath dresses, and evening gowns), and she documents both her singing career and her perch from the front row at Paris Fashion Week on Instagram.
Former Azzedine Alaïa PR exec Fajer Fahad bounces back and forth between Paris, LA, and Dubai, all while serving as contributing editor for beauty site Violet Grey. Follow Fajer for pure glamour—as in fur stoles and sky-high stilettos—and ace beauty tips.
Model and socialite Julia Restoin Roitfeld grew up in fashion — she’s the daughter of famed fashion editor Carine Roitfeld, who has a Uniqlo collab of her own. Julia lives in NYC, where she works as creative director of jewelry house Didier Dubot and runs stylish mom blog Romy and The Bunnies. Her look is very modern bombshell, pairing black turtlenecks with lace slips and off-the-shoulder tops with hoops.
The popular My Little Paris newsletter just debuted a new, English-language newsletter called La Parisienne, dispensing French-y bon mots on love, life, and style. Follow @MyLittleParis on Instagram for dreamy slices of Parisian life and plenty of outfit inspiration. Not to self: need an embroidered tee and red trousers.
Fashion blogger Alix of Cherry Blossom Girl is always staging shoots in lovely settings like Versailles or the Jardin des Tuileries. She’s known for her ultra-feminine, whimsical style, and her love of all things Disney. Key pieces include Charlotte Olympia Kitty purses and Guerlain perfume.
Clémentine Desseaux of BonjourClem’s modeling career is on the upswing, thanks to a viral video she created showcasing Christian Louboutin red lipstick. Clémentine’s Insta features shots from her lingerie, activewear, and swim campaigns, and her own quirky personal style.
French makeup artist Violette reps brands like La Mer and MAC, and her Instagram is worth a follow for the way she turns lipstick into art. Plus, she posts tutorials on how to achieve looks like rock-and-roll blue metallic eyeshadow or glittery NYE-ready lips.
Vogue picked Claire Margueritte as a one of their “cool girls to watch” — and follow on Instagram, of course. Her feed is so artful, and she wears a high-top Vans, graphic tees, and berets with a certain je ne sais quoi.
She’s the daughter of Jane Birkin and the half-sister of Charlotte Gainsbourg, so basically Parisian royalty. But model, actress and musician Lou Doillon has picked up nearly 225,000 followers on Instagram, where she posts photos of her tomboy-ish style and perfectly disheveled hair.
Parisian jeweler Adeline Rapon loves a leather jacket, or wide legged pants, or an oversize bomber. She makes simple pieces in neutral colors look incredibly cool. Example? This all-black outfit accented with sparkly silver boots.
Want to figure out how to make trendy pieces like over-the-knee boots or a furry jacket look timeless? Check out Anne-Laure Mais’s Insta, which features so-chic-it-hurts outfits against a Parisian backdrop of fruit stands and the Eiffel Tower.
