Photoshoot: Gaia Repossi by Karim Sadli

From Diane Keaton in Annie Hall to Phoebe Philo at the CFDA's, the most stylish women wear menswear. Another case in point: Gaia Repossi, shot by Karim Sadli, for Issue Four of The Gentlewoman. Photographed in a mixture of Dior Homme and YSL with her father's suit thrown in for good measure, Repossi is the epitome of effortless chic, perfectly striking the balance between masculinity and femininity.

(images: Repossi.com)

Look of the day

These recent photographs of jewelry designer Lara Melchior on vogue.fr make me long for a wardrobe consisting solely of silk shirts and loose fitting trousers. Citing Dries Van Noten and Phoebe Philo among her favourite designers, it is no surprise that for Melchior comfort is key. Her wardrobe is awash with simple jersey tee shirts by Isabel Marant, wide leg trousers and breton tops, all accessorised with her line of delicate gold jewelry inspired by Viennese Art Nouveau and Fauvism. The allure of her wardrobe lies in well cut, good quality, comfortable basics which work just as well for day as for evening. Plus, anyone who owns a pair of Chanel espadrilles gets my style vote...

I wanted to give a woman comfortable clothes that would flow with her body. A woman is closest to being naked when she is well-dressed — Coco Chanel

(photographs: Linus Ricard for vogue.fr)

The Icon: Tomboy

I know I have written about Argentinean stylist Marina Muñoz's style before, but this is just pure outfit perfection. I never cease to be impressed by the way she so effortlessly exudes that elusive tomboy ease with a confidence I can only hope to emulate in my day to day dressing. Inspired by classic tomboy icons such as Jane Birkin and Charlotte Rampling, as well as photographer August Sander's portraits, Marina is a one of a kind style maverick. You can only imagine how happy I was to discover she was Vogue.fr's most recently featured Une fille un style...

Gaucho Gipsy Ethnic Chic, quatre mots indissociables qui me décrivent parfaitement. Tout ce que je possède est d'abord un choix personnel, un choix que je fais au hasard de mes rencontres, mes voyages, la musique que j'écoute, les livres que je lis. Ce sont ces choix qui font mon style. - Marina Muñoz

(photograph: Street Peeper)

Simplicité sophistiquée

It appears Italian jewelry heiress & artistic director Gaia Repossi might just have my dream wardrobe. Not only does she have an endless supply of Repossi rings at her disposal (an item I can only stare longingly at in the confines of Colette) but an enviable collection of clothing which includes pieces from Céline, vintage Yves Saint Laurent and Isabel Marant amongst others. However, what most caught my eye when I saw Vogue Paris's feature on her was the fact that her look is so accessible. If you ignore the fact that all her pieces are high end, her look is that laid back, relaxed style that us mere mortals can easily recreate with a savvy mix of Cos and Zara with the odd ebay-ed Isabel Marant piece thrown in for good measure. Her classic, tomboy silhouette is both covetable and wearable. The perfect hybrid of Italian elegance & French effortlessness.

(Photographs from Vogue.fr)

“A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.”

Caroline Issa, market editor of Tank and editor in chief of Because magazine is my new style crush. Edgy without sacrificing elegance and grace, she is a perfect style icon for our time. Her outfits are an endless lesson in paired down chic. Who's style have you been stalking this fashion month?

(Photographs: Caroline Issa fashionspot, quotation: Coco Chanel)

The Céline Effect

I have been known to wax lyrical about Yasmin Sewell's style before but I couldn't help but do another post on her having seen these recent images taken of her on day four of New York Fashion Week. The much coveted Céline clutch is the perfect foil for her crisp white shirt and vintage Chanel coat. And that necklace. Definitely my favourite look of fashion month so far.

(Photographs from streetsfn, all the pretty birds & Tommy Ton for style.com)

Ode to Isabel

So yesterday I was strolling through the Marais on my way for my favourite lunchtime treat at Breizh Cafe when who should I bump into but the most sought after of French designers and one of my ultimate style icons, Isabel Marant. She gave me as a smile of recognition as she clocked my jacket... the exact same one she was wearing! Marant is one of my favourite designers for a number of reasons but namely because she is so indifferent to 'fashion' despite being one of the most desirable designers of our generation. My love affair with her designs started upon seeing her Fall-2007-Ready-to-Wear on vogue.fr, something I am still constantly returning to for references. These looks are as relevant today in fashion as they were three years ago. Her designs embody the essence of Gallic insouciance... low-key basics which have become steadfast classics. The label's philosophy has slowly become embedded in fashion's conscience, encompassing the of the moment trend for real clothes for real women. Indeed, Marant designs for herself, forming a very personal relationship with each and every garment... she is even her own fittings model. Most of all, I love the fact that her pieces sit perfectly within my wardrobe of slouchy basics from lower end stores such as Zara and Cos, serving to enhance them and adding that distinct something which takes my outfit to the next level. As Marant herself says, the Isabel Marant girl embodies 'discretion, style and attitude. But, above all, comfort.' What more could a girl want?

Dressing Down

As I was doing the fashion week blog rounds, I stumbled across this post on Vanessa Jackman's street style blog and was reminded of my love for stylist Marina Muñoz's elegant and boyish way of dressing. She has been a fashion inspiration of mine for a long time ever since one of my friends emailed me a link to a feature on her over at Jak & Jil blog with the subject heading 'YOU'. I love her philosophy to dressing, the way she plays with the details - a string belt mixed with basic white jeans and a navy jacket from the little boys section. I really admire the way Muñoz incorporates feminine pieces into a skeleton wardrobe consisting largely of menswear - she doesn't need to sacrifice comfort in order to remain grown-up and graceful.

I find that if something looks good on me, I tend to stick to it like men's shirts, hats, trousers and simple shift dresses. - Marina Muñoz

(Image Credits: Hanneli, Citizen Couture, Vanessa Jackman & Turned Out)

Bonjour Paris!

Oh the joys of packing a wardrobe worthy of moving to the most stylish city in the world! My imminent move to Paris has been causing me sartorial anguish in bucket loads! Not only is my studio matchbox sized (I'm seriously considering my microwave as potential shoe storage) but I have the added pressure of Parisian style to contend with! However, whilst drowning in a sea of wooly tights, polka dots and denim I came across this inspiring collage of Gallic beauty Clémence Poésy from Elle Ukraine and was reminded of my number one fashion rule - simple is always chic. Problem almost solved.

(Image from thefashionspot)

Gloria

I once read an interview with Valentine Fillol Cordier in which she described her style as "something between Coco Chanel and Patti Smith"... quite possibly the perfect combination! Lately, having just finished Just Kids, I myself have been undoubtedly influenced by Patti Smith's blasé approach to dressing. Her uniforms of black skinny jeans, blazers & mannish white shirts, although formulaic, never air on the side of boring. Patti Smith is one of those rare style phenomenon's who makes the most understated of outfits look so desirable and incessantly cool that you want to wear the look head to toe... But somehow you just never manage to recreate that same nonchalant attitude. It thrilled me to discover that during one period of her youth, she rotated between variations on outfits inspired by French new wave films and Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face. Her cultural influences are embodied in many of her outfits, whether it be the way she flings her jacket over her shoulder on the cover of Horses à la Frank Sinatra or her Keith Richards-esque haircut. Just perfection.

My style says ‘Look at me, don’t look at me,’ ... It’s, ‘I don’t care what you think.’ - Patti Smith

Le Garçon Manqué

As a Vogue collector and a student of French, I have always been an avid reader (i.e. flicking through the editorials) of Paris Vogue. I am therefore naturally familiar with the exceptional and inspiring work of Emmanuelle Alt, the fashion director of the magazine. However, it wasn't until recently, when perusing the archives of Jak & Jil Blog that I discovered her own personal style. She is the epitome of effortless, Parisian chic - one of those revered women who wears a definite uniform yet miraculously never seems predictable. The stylist seamlessly juxtaposes both high and low end pieces (such as her trusty Topshop skinny jeans with a Balmain blazer) proving that true style exists regardless of how much money you have to spend. Her beauty lies in her simplicity, don't you think?

Forget trendy designer labels. Jeans, a sweater or a t-shirt worn under a jacket that seems welded to you. When it's just right, when you don't see the effort, it's irresistible. - Emmanuelle Alt

(photos from Jak & Jil)