Fashion

The six mega important style lessons from Isabel Marant

Recently, my eye fell on a set of very stylish style lessons from Isabel Marant. They were in PORTER Magazine (from Net-a-Porter) this summer. And oh, I just didn't want to keep them from you, as nice as they are. Read and learn!

Regel nr. 1: Mode is niet belangrijk

What she means is: wear something because you like it and because it suits you, not because it's fashionable. Everything Isabel designs, she says, is really made to be worn. She doesn't design clothes for the show. Nope: anyone who does that should make costumes for the theater, according to Isabel.

Regel nr. 2: Maak je nooit zorgen over wat anderen denken

It's about how you feel in what you wear. Dressing is about instinct, ease, and comfort. The advice: go your own way. The world is already fake and banal enough.

Regel nr. 3: Laat mensen geen dingen dragen die jij niet zou dragen

It's one of the first things Isabel learned at school (Studio Berçot). She takes prêt-à-porter very literally and always asks herself: what would I want to wear today?

”The only one who was comfortable and looked just as good was – guess who – Isabel herself.”

Regel nr. 4: Laat je niet dicteren door oude stijlregels

In a nutshell: wear things that suit you. And never wear something you think is expected of you. Recently, Isa went with all her friends (of course a bunch of models and actresses, her included) to the opening of the opera season and yes, everyone was wearing a long couture dress. However: no one looked like themselves and many dresses were ruined by the end of the evening because people had been standing on them constantly. The only one who was comfortable and looked just as good was – guess who – Isabel herself. She wore black pants and a beautifully decorated top. Isabel's motto: the time when you wear something because you think you have to (while it doesn't suit you at all) is really over.

Regel nr. 5: Er bestaat niet zoiets als de perfecte outfit

I found this a kind of relief: there is no perfect outfit. Something that an outfit must always meet in terms of look, so to speak. It's about learning what suits you. Some pieces work for one person but not for another. A perfect outfit depends on the person themselves, the situation, and their lifestyle.

Regel nr. 6: Je stijl zal evolueren

Even when you've found your own unique style, your uniform, a style still changes with you. For example, Isa's husband Jérôme Dreyfuss (also a fantastic designer) initially made mostly couture clothing and always looked very neat and chic himself. While Isabel always looked much messier, which meant they were both looked at and approached by totally different people. He by chic, sexy, and a bit bitchy women, she by the casual types. But by now, their styles have somewhat merged. Jérôme is less perfect, she more straightforward. I mean, things can change.

Source: PORTER Magazine, summer edition 2016