Mays Modecollege

Garance Doré

The fashion month is over. For my fashion lecture this week, I choose Garance Doré, one of the most important ‘influencers’ (terrible word) in the business who lets the fashion shows pass her by. She used to sit front row at Chanel, but she actually found it all terrible. She literally felt out of place. Just like she always felt on the terraces of Ajaccio. That is a small place in Corsica where her father had a restaurant, so hip that Brigitte Bardot (just take a look how cool she was) and actually every big model came. Everyone adorned themselves with as many status-enhancing items as possible: shiny watches, jewelry, expensive bags; everything that comes with it. Garance didn't feel comfortable with that. She felt the same way at the shows. After a heavy crying fit that bordered on hyperventilation, she decided: enough is enough, I will let my team go. And that's why I like Garance so much. She doesn't let herself be driven crazy and stays normal. A woman, in short, from whom you want to learn.

1. Stay yourself

Do I also have to be on a diet of popcorn and cigarettes like my fashion friends to fit into size 0? Garance didn't want that. So she is her beautiful, normal self.

2. Wear little makeup

But what you can do, you do well. Garance makes sure that eyebrows, skin, and hair are in top model and condition. Maybe on a wild day a red lipstick, but further: done.

3. Buy little

Nothing feels better than the high you feel when you buy something very special. The more you buy, the less high you get from it. Buy little, in short, but beautiful.

4. Have an empty closet

Or at least throw out everything you don't wear. You'll see that you come up with more combinations than with a bulging one.

5. Have a role model

And let yourself be inspired by that person. For Garance, those are Caroline de Maigret (here I described her 7 style lessons by the way), Carine Roitfeld, and Charlotte Gainsbourg.

6. Ignore fashion

Not completely of course, but if that trend from last year looks really good on you, keep wearing it. Period.

7. Be sharp during the sale

Before you know it, you've made a bad purchase. The motto remains: buy little and good. Remember the high.

Ah, and further you just have to follow Garance. Her photos, her illustrations, her honest stories. I've never found anything I don't like about her.