You’re walking through Paris. A nice, fashionable passerby asks you the way. “Erm, yes, Colette? Of course, first street on the left, after the third… etc. Goodbye!” Naturally, people think I am a real Parisian. A woman who knows all the go-to addresses.
But the rest of our A team (=the Amayzine Girls) don’t plan on sticking out like a tourist during New York, Milan and Paris Fashion Week, and so us fashion snobs adopt local dress codes. Universal norms? No, not in fashion. Every city has her own style. Follow the rules:
Milan: Gedraag je als een super rijke bitch!
She doesn’t shy away from being noticed because of her royal consumer behaviour, by radiating luxury, and by emphasising her bella donna femininity. Imitation design, fake and vintage show bad taste. She wears real fur (sorry, I think it’s kind of sad too), real gold and precious gems. Sunglasses in summer and winter (latest Prada model, Versace or something else striking) for a so-called interesting incognito look.
Milanese ladies wear their hair shoulder-length and, usually because their hair is extremely normal, have it blow dried every week to look healthy and well taken care of.
Lips are touched up at least once an hour. Androgynous behaviour isn’t quite appreciated by the average Italian macho so shoes with heels are preferred.
Style icon Milan: Frida Giannini
Hot labels: Gucci, Prada, Versace, Costume National
Parijs: Bon Chic Bon Genre
Perhaps you’ve already noticed: everything about her is nonchalant. Her way of walking, dressing, the way she treats her look, everything’s natural and sophisticated. She makes you think it cost her little time but oh la la everything’s thought through, and she’s extremely confident about her own style. She likes the challenge of mixing different types of brands and vintage clothing so she’s never overdressed and so you won’t see her wearing a lot of bling bling. The Parisian transformed the natural beauty look into an art form: little makeup and a fresh look. Her hairstyle looks undone. Bonus points when you’ve got bangs that look a bit too long or a so-called, nonchalant ballerina ponytail. If she goes for comfort, she’ll wear ballerinas. Sneakers she’ll save for the gym.
Style icon Paris: Ines de la Fressange.
Hot labels: Vanessa Bruno, Isabel Marant, Maje, Jerome Dreyfuss
New York: Uptown Royalty
The downtown (Soho) fashionista looks like their European sisters in every sense. Uptown jet set Big Apple dresses like she’s just left a fashion shoot. We all know the looks from advertorials – the average American likes to be inspired by European designers – which are a good example of good taste: elegant, sophisticated and they’ve got to radiate luxury. Weekly manicures, pedicures, hairdressers and beauticians are all primary needs. Act rich, act platinum, even if she’s overdrawn heavily, you wouldn’t notice. Wearing vintage isn’t really appreciated, it doesn’t match her carefully manicured nails. An elegant two-piece with sneakers are no exception. The dress code revolves around New York life that is all about walking (because shopping) a lot during the day, and partying at night (even if you didn’t have the opportunity to change). There’s a standard pair of Manolo Blahnik’s in her bag.
Style icon: Olivia Palermo
Hot labels: Ralph Lauren, Victoria Beckham, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan New York.
