French Vogue's Americana Spread

After spending a few months à Paris observing Parisian trends and comparing them to those back home, I thought it might be interesting to check out the Parisians' view of American style - and I stumbled across this spread from Vogue Paris that gives us a little (high-fashion) insight into just that. (For more on the American girl's view on Vogue, check out Emily's last post about the magazine!)

Picturing models Lara Stone, Freja Beha Erichsen, Isabeli Fontana, Natasha Poly and Arizona Muse, this retro Americana spread was shot in L.A.

Not only do I find the retro-rocker somewhat couture looks on the models to be an interesting insight from France to the US, but also the extras in the set - with tattoos down the arms, dirty tank tops, long hair, and ill-fitting jeans the French's view of American men leaves little to be desired. 

Revealing some of every American girl (stereotype) we see the rockers, the business women, the politician's wives (pictured above), the actresses/glam(onsters) from L.A. (below), and the hippies.The dress pictured above depicts probably the most flattering and favorable view of American women.

We recognize her - the typical L.A. actress, wannabee actress, and/or housewife - classic 1970s big hair and all. 

From sparkle and (somewhat) trashy fur to fringe, I'd say it's clear the french blame us for some popular trends they never quite got on the band wagon of. 

Even seeing through the fact that this was a retro spread, thus far I can conclude that the French view American style as over-the-top and too trendy with a pinch of trashiness. Now the problem is that I am no longer sure if I agree or disagree with them...

bonne journée!

taylor 

(@taylormdowns)

Jewelry: Necklaces

When I was packing for Paris I was having a hard time deciding which necklaces of mine I would bring. At home I wear necklaces all the time for any occasion even if it's just going grocery shopping! For me necklaces add a little something special to my outfits, it makes what I am wearing unique. Most of the necklaces I own are very simple either a long chain with a graphic shape at the end or a statement necklace. Two things they all have in common is that they are all gold and from my favorite store(except one), Madewell, but that is a different topic!

These are the necklaces I brought with me to Paris

After the first couple weeks of being in Paris I started to notice that not many people wore necklaces. I was bummed because I wanted to fit in (as much as I could) but I wanted to wear my necklaces! So for the first couple of weeks when it was warmer I wore them. One thing that I noticed that is different in Paris is people still wear scarves in the warmer months! I feel that the scarf is the Parisian's "necklace". Scarfs are a popular clothing item seen in Paris through all ages. The scarfs are like necklaces because they too can make ones outfits unique. As I walk to school in the Marais district (3rd arrondisment) I pass by a scarf store and a necklace store. In southern California where I am from there are no stores of just necklaces or scarves, that I know of. I am learning new things about Paris everyday!

I looked into how the media highlights necklaces in Paris and America. I looked at Harper Bazaar's best looks from New York Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Week: Spring 2014. To my surprise I saw more necklaces featured at Paris Fashion Week. Some of the designers who used necklaces on a few of their looks were Kenzo, Balmain and Carven. While in the article by Harper Bazaar only Rodarte and Donna Karen used a necklace for one of their looks for New York Fashion Week. Even though this does not represent the whole population of each place, fashion shows are where people get inspiration. So who knows maybe Spring 2014 in Paris there will be a shift in wearing more statement necklaces.

Courtesy of Harper Bazzar from Paris Fashion Week: Spring 2014,  Balmain

Courtesy of Harper Bazaar from New York Fashion Week: Spring 2014; Donna Karen

 Another way that necklaces are advertised are in magazines. One American magazine in particular, Lucky Magazine has many articles about necklaces. Some of the articles are "11 Cheap Necklaces that Look Expensive", "Spring Statement Necklaces Under $50", and "Etsy's 16 Boldest, Blingiest Jewelry Finds." Lucky shows their readers how they can wear necklaces in their everyday life and save some money while doing it. Free People Instagramed a photo of several of their necklaces that they were using for a shoot. I believe that necklaces are always going to be around. They are always evolving and adapting to what the next trend in fashions is. 

Free People Instagram 

Lucky Magazine article about necklaces  

When I see a necklace I like it's like chocolate, I have to have it!
Bye for now!
Marina

BEHOLD: THE BEANIE

A mountain town and French city share a growing trend.

As I desperately tried to narrow down my clothes to fit into one suitcase, I started eliminating accessories. A staple in Colorado, everyone owns multiple beanies to match each activity of their life. Class, the slopes, house parties, and hikes up the Flatirons: it completes every look and is practical for the colder months of the year.  I took out every part of my wardrobe that suggested "mountain woman" and filled my suitcase with impractical heels and black.  

Within the first few days adjusting to my new Parisian life, the street walkers were dressed in converse, skinny jeans, oversized T-Shirts, and to my surprise beanies. The beanie can be worn casually to run errands and go to the market, or to tone down a fancier outfit.  Parisians of every lifestyle can incorporate the beanie into their everyday look. 

The Beanie In Paris:

Source: insparisian.com

The Beanie in Boulder:

VOGUE

When thinking of the title Vogue an American most likely thinks of two things. The first thing being Madonna's song "Vogue" from the year 1990 and the other being the world famous Conde Nast publication- Vogue magazine. Both of these things are related to fashion but are unrelated despite the popular assumption that Madonna's song was written about the magazine itself.

Madonna's "Vogue" is referring the type of dancing popular in the underground club scene called Voguing. Madonna sings about striking a pose, letting loose on the dance floor, and about finding beauty in what you choose. She states in the song "you're a superstar thats what you are," and even though the song isn't about the magazine it still reflects some of the intentions that the magazine has for its primary audience.

Moving on from Madonna's Vogue, may I now direct you to the main reason I am writing this post- the magazine Vogue. 

Vogue cover illustration from 1902

The first issue of Vogue was released in 1892 in America, and later in 1909 was acquired by Conde Nast Publishers. Under the new publication the magazine subsequently expanded its page numbers as well as geared its main focus towards women. During the first world war in 1916, it was impossible to deliver the magazine internationally and so the printing was started in England which led to the start of French Vogue in 1920. Throughout this time France had been the leading power in the fashion industry but because if Vogue and its popularity, America was quickly competing and taking the lead power in the fashion industry over France.

Vogue, September 1, 1926

Illustrated by Eduardo Garcia Benito

Finally in 1932 Vogue placed a color photograph on its cover for the first time in history shot by Edward Steichen. The addition of the photograph into the printed magazine was a breakthrough for the company and the covers from there on started featured photographs taken by some of the most famous photographers in the world and my inspiration for photography today such as Irving Penn, Richard Avedon, Guy Burden, Norman Parkinson, Helmut Newton and Peter Lindberg.

first Vogue cover featuring a color photograph replacing the fashion drawings as mentioned above

Another important Photographer for the company was Baron Adolphe Meyer who was the first to sign an official contract as an on staff photographer in 1914. Some of the photographers I mentioned above were also contracted as well.

ANN ANDREWS BY BARON DE MEYER, VOGUE, 1919

In the 1960s Vogue transitioned into leadership under the great Diana Vreeland who had previously been editor and chief to Harpers Bazaar magazine. Vreeland has become to be known as a symbol of a new era for the company. She can be characterized as being creative, liberated and sexy.

Vogue, February 1, 1964

Photographed by Bert Stern

Pictured: Nadja, New York, 1995

 

Photo: Patrick Demarchelier 

Another big leap for Vogues leadership history was in 1988 when current editor Anna Wintour became  the editor and chief. Her character was depicted in the 2006 film The Devil Wears Prada and although in the movie she appears in human at times it was her talent, will and efficiency that led Vogue to becoming the number 1 fashion magazine in the world. Since then the magazine continues to reign over the rest. 

Photographed by Irving Penn, Vogue, April 1, 1950
one of my favorite Vogue covers of all time, it was even my phone background for a while

Pictured: Lisa Fonssagrives on the Eiffel Tower, Paris, 1939. 
© The Estate of Erwin Blumenfeld
(one of the photos we talked about in class together)

JEAN SHRIMPTON BY RICHARD AVEDON, JANUARY 1970. PUBLISHED: VOGUE, MARCH 1970.

In the years since Anna Wintour has continued to expand and redefine the magazine for the better. One of her most shocking but also smart moves she made was to bring movie stars and singers to the covers of Vogue even though before the covers had featured only models. She acquired quite a bit of criticism when she featured Madonna on the cover in 1989 but she kept it up and during the nineties many of the most sought after and beautiful faces in hollywood graced the covers of Vogue. 

Madonna in 1989 on the cover

Michelle Obama in The Power Issue

Vogue, March 2009

Photographed by Annie Leibovitz

Vogues influence on American as well as international society has reached incredible lengths throughout the past 25 years under Wintours reign and I expect it to become even bigger and more powerful in the years to come. As she said in 2011 "Vogue is like Nike or Coca-Cola- this huge global brand. I want to enhance it, I want to protect it, and I want it to be part of the conversation."

Anna Wintour
Photograph by Steve Eichner. Published in WWD, May 2, 2011.

I can't wait to see what Vogue brings in the future. Until next time!

Emily

Works Cited:

http://www.vogue.com/voguepedia/Anna_Wintour

http://www.condenast.com/about-us/heritage#/1988-anna-wintour-pioneers-high-low-style-her-first-vogue-cover

http://condenast.ru/en/portfolio/magazines/vogue/history/

http://www.vogue.com/vogue-daily/article/from-the-archives-vogue-looks-back-at-120-years-of-covers/#/gallery/vogue-covers/25

Parisian Trend Board: Fall '13

In addition to jeans and converse, we've noticed some very dominating trends in Paris during our past two months in the capital - as displayed in the beautifully crafted (if we do say so ourselves) trend board below by Jamie et moi:

After taking about an hour just sitting at a cafe and snapping pictures of Parisians in their natural habitat, we looked back on our photos for commonalities between them and fashion magazines we've picked up over the weeks (Vogue Paris, Jalouse, and Le Magazine du Monde). Three striking similarities hit us: denim & chambray (left), stripes (center), and cross-body bags (right). These three classic, enduring trends are clearly so in Paris this fall.

Denim will forever be a go to - but not just in jeans anymore. We've seen almost too many people rocking the denim jackets and chambray tops. However one thing we have noticed in Paris is that people appear almost more willing to wear the Canadian Jumpsuit look - AKA denim on denim - here than we've seen as frequently in the States. Weather it's a denim jacket with jeans or a chambray top and denim vest, the Canadian Jumpsuit is surprisingly everywhere.

Stripes are a nautical, Parisian classic - what does one picture about Parisian fashion if not stripes? And this trend is as popular as ever this fall. Designers show it in diagonals and with bright neons on the runways, while we saw the classic black & white horizontal stripes in our street style observations.

Finally the cross-body bag is an obvious go-to for practicality on the Parisian streets, even if some of the audience doesn't wear the long strap across the body and instead down by one side. Small cross-body clutches are definitely in Paris this summer - from Chanel to H&M.

Overall, classics remain classics and practical wear-ability remains practical wear-ability in Paris this season, not unlike in our hometowns across the East and West Coasts of the USA.

à bientôt,

xx taylor

Read about Taylor's adventures in Paris on her blog, A Marketing Major and on her tumblr.

Marion Cotillard as a Fashion Icon for Americans

Paris is unarguably an impactful global fashion force. This can be seen not only in the reproductions around the world of the street style, the grand-scale Fashion weeks every spring and fall, and the simple, chic day-to-day life; but also in the way their celebrities are admired and copied around the world. A clear example of this in the fashion world today is Marion Cotillard.

Marion Cotillard was born on September 30, 1975 in Paris France. Her family was full of actors, directors, writers and the like, so she pursued an artistic and creative lifestyle from a very early age. She appeared in a number of roles in both Hollywood and French films, but her breakthrough role came in 2007 as Édith Piaf in La Vie En Rose. She won an Oscar for her performance, and has since been cast in a number of roles with very little similarity to each other. Her ability to remain true to herself while portraying a number of vastly different characters also translates to her fashion sense.

She is so classically Parisian, and yet her style is easily commutable to Americans, whatever their proclaimed and differing fashion styles are. Below are examples of her wearing a particularly Parisian look, the Little Black Dress, in a number of different ways.

Photo: Tim Whitby/Getty Images for BFI Photo: Alo Ceballos/FilmMagic

 
Photo: Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic Photo: Michael Tran/Contributor/FilmMagic

Photo: Getty, Landmark/PR Photos, style.com

American fashion is known for being trendy, innovative, risky, and bold. There isn't exactly a "classical" American fashion type, because it has been growing and transforming since it's inception. However, when we dress classically, we pull inspiration from those who have been doing the classical look for so long; for us, this is the Parisians. Marion Cotillard is a perfect muse for a developing American fashionista, because she remains so true to herself and has really perfected her look. At the same time, however, she is certainly not afraid to experiment regularly with colors, shapes, patterns, textures, and materials. She gives everyone something to work with. 

Photo: Getty, Landmark/PR Photos, style.com Photo: Paul Warner/WireImage

Photo: Dave Hogan/Getty Images Photo: Jon Furniss/WireImage

Photo: Jun Sato/WireImage Photo: Jean Baptiste Lacroix/WireImage

Photo: Ferdaus Shamim/WireImage Photo: Matt Sayles/AP/Corbis

Photo: Landmark/PR Photos, Getty

As an American studying abroad in Paris, I consistently look to Marion Cotillard for inspiration. While she is a bold example, and certainly everyone in Paris does not dress like her on a daily basis, she captures a certain essence which is relatable for Parisians and Americans alike. I like to think that Hollywood had some influence on her fashion sense as well, therefore transmitting Hollywood and Parisian styles across fashion borders.

-Zoë

Blue, Skinny, Boyfriend, Flare, Ripped... -Theres a Pair of Jeans for Everyone

Before I left for France I spent weeks and weeks doing research online to try and figure out the best items of my closet to pack in order to blend in as much as I can here in Paris rather than look like a total baseball cap wearing American. No I don't wear baseball caps or fanny packs on a regular basis in the states but I was still worried that there would be something about me that would stick me out from the crowd of Parisians and I wanted to try an avoid that as much as possible.

Serena from the TV show Gossip Girl was often seen wearing jeans despite her high New York socialite status. 

I often look to her character for fashion ideas.

So through my research I read blog post after blog post telling me that Parisians don't wear jeans and that I should limit my packing of them to 1 or 2. For a blue jean loving californian that I am, trying to avoid bringing what I wanted (6 paris of jeans) was probably the hardest part of my packing process. I narrowed my my pile down to 3 pairs (2 blue and one black) and called it quits. I don't think I would have been able to narrow it down any further.

When I got on my flight ( in which I wore leggings because just in case no one was wearing jeans in Paris I wanted to be ready) I instantly noticed that at least 50% of the French passengers were wearing some type of jeans. I thought to myself, maybe they are just wearing them to be comfortable for the 11 hour flight they have ahead of them but no that wasn't the case. After I landed and had spent my first week in paris I noticed just how many Parisians wear jeans, and the number is a lot.
Everywhere you look there is someone young or old wearing the classic so called "American" pant style that the many packing and fashion blogs I looked into before me trip told me I would not see. But I did see them and I have worn them probably 3-4 times every week. I even purchased 2 more pairs here in paris so I would have some more variety, because when it comes to jeans, even the simplest of pairs need to have some variety.

The original Levi "blue jean" was invented in 1873 by Jacob Davis and Levi Strauss. The two were able to turn denim, thread and a little bit of metal into the post popular clothing product in the world. Levi Strauss had moved to the gold rush era San Francisco to open a dry goods business in 1853 where he sold clothes, boots and other goods to the small retail stores of the American West. He teamed up with Jacob Davis a tailor from Reno, Nevada to create and patent work wear riveted-for-strength made of brown cotton duck and true blue denim. On May 20, 1873 the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office granted a patent to Levi Strauss & Co. and Jacob Davis for their invention. This is how the blue jean, called the "XX" at the time, was born. In 1890 the original XX blue jean was given its iconic lot number 501, which was later trademarked as a style.

Today I think it is safe to say that everyone in France and the United States no matter where they spend their time or the culture they belong to have at lease one pair of jeans in their closets. Jeans come in all sorts of fits nowadays including skinny, tapered, slim, straight, bootcut, high waist, low-rise, flare, boyfriend, crop, as well as now in any color and pattern you can think of. In magazines there are even full spreads now telling women and men how to find the right pair of jeans for their body. Although the blue jean is mostly identified with American culture, as much as the french don't want to admit it, they wear blue jeans almost as much as us americans do.

Both here and in the U.S. I have observed that denim jeans can either be dressed down or dressed up completely which is very comparable to that of the little black dress in which one can do the same thing. I did some research of french designers and their ad campaigns and was able to find many French higher end brands displaying a model wearing a type of jeans. 

 

Jeans are some of the most intimate yet most relaxed item of clothing one can wear because of how they fit the body. Our jeans reflect us as well as, because of the fading nature of the material, reflect the lives we've had in them. Jeans carry a symbol of youth and casualness but also class, which is a combination not really found often in a single item. One can buy a pair of jeans at the Gap or pay the amount comparable to buying a pedigree dog if they so wish. That is what makes jeans so great, they are accessible and acceptable to be worn on everyone. 

To me my jeans are my comfort and my part of America that will ware with me as I travel throughout europe. They will be able to tell a story through their coloring about the good, the bad, the simple and the tough times with a look just as I will be able to say those things out loud. I am grateful that here in France the Parisians wear jeans just as much as I do at home because without my jeans life would not be nearly as comfortable.

As Diana Vreeland said, "Blue jeans are the most beautiful things since the gondola." I would have to agree. Thanks for reading!

-Emily