Ines de la Fressange: ‘I can make whatever I wish!’
Model Ines de la Fressange loves having her own brand because she has the ability to make whatever she wants to wear.
The 58-year-old relaunched her self-titled brand and boutique in 2015, with her Parisian background clear to see in her designs. When it comes to choosing her ensembles, Ines, who has collaborated with Uniqlo on several collections, relishes the fact that she can whip up anything she desires through her company.
“Now that I have my brand I can make what I wish,” she told W magazine. “For instance, a cashmere sweater with the shape of Shetlands sweaters that existed in the ‘70s. At Uniqlo, I did linen jackets that could have been worn by Paul Cézanne, safari jackets, and long, large shirts that I want to wear in summer.”
When it comes to her day-to-day look, Ines is all about the accessories, and knows that a good pair of shoes can turn an outfit from casual to cool.
“A pair of velvet loafers from Roger Vivier with embroideries, they often save my looks that are underdressed,” Ines said of her favourite footwear.
She added of her choices to finish off her ensemble: “My Pilgrim Vivier bag usually gives refinement and I often wear a navy blue and white spotted scarf.”
There are several items though that feature on Ines’ most hated fashion list. The things she lists are common in many a wardrobe, but Ines insists she can’t think of anything worse than wearing them.
“Leggings – who do they fit?” she asked. “Dancers, maybe… and bras with transparent straps. How can anyone think it’s nice?”
Ines is known for her pride in her French heritage and has now penned a book about her favourite places in the capital, entitled Parisian Chic City Guide.
While she encouraged people to buy the book to find out her best tips, Ines did reveal some of her most beloved haunts during the chat.
“I love Cru restaurant – it means ‘raw’ but everything isn’t raw,” she said. “And I like Le Bon Saint Pourcain – it’s so French. I don’t go in hotels in Paris but if I do, I like Hôtel de L’Abbaye. For jewelry, Whitebird, where many different designers are represented, is a great choice. And, of course, the genius Elie Top. He was the last assistant of Yves Saint-Laurent – handsome, gentle and talented.”
