Tuesday, October 04, 2022

Ines de la Fressange, Happiness book


When Flammarion sent me Ines de la Fressange’s new book, Happiness to review, it seemed a natural to make her into a Paris map like Audrey, Amelie and Holly Golightly.

Back in 2015, by chance I came across Ines de la Fressange at an event for magazine kiosquesin Saint Germain. 

Her natural warmth and ebullience is infectious.
Try to capture Ines’ beauty - quite a challenge—a gazillion sketches later..
Ines has a long history in French haute-couture. She was ‘discovered’ in 1975 at age 17 and soon became Karl Lagerfeld of Chanel’s fitting model and muse in the 80s.
But she moved on to having her own eponymous collection at Uniqlo… 
Doesn’t this bleu marine (Ines’ fav color) outfit have the look of a 40’s Resistance fighter? 
Ines’ chic blue marine shop is on 24, rue de Grenelle in the 7th 
Where her own collection is designed and made on the premises. 
Distinctly Rives Gauche/ Left Bank style. *Note the bleu-blanc-rouge theme in her shop. She was chosen to be France’s Marianne in 1989, personification of the French republic.
Décontracté, relaxed, casual, usually referred to as ‘effortless chic’. De la Fressange has her own perfume too, ‘Blanc Chic’. She wears the French men’s white tailored shirt with the best of them.
Did I say Ines collects raffia baskets? 
Ines has done a ton of gorgeous books 📚 I reported on this one here
And last year, her incomparable home decor book, Maison, Parisian Chic at Home, written with Marin Montagut. 
A few divine pages 
For you to browse. I love ❤️ this book. 
De la Fressange 
is brand ambassador for Roger Vivier. I was passing by this morning, after a look in at Sotheby’s Hotel Lambert auction. 
Don’t you ❤️ the shoe buckle doorway.
 
Ines did a wonderful RV video series visiting her fav Paris spots ages ago and you can still find them on Youtube.
As part of my deep Sherlockian research I tried to nail down what does Ines eats. How does she keep her haricot vert/ string bean figure? She does not exercise per se other than browsing constantly. Basically she prefers to shop rather than eat is my conclusion. Neither is cooking a fav pastime😳 She does love these creamy meringue things from Aux Merveille de Fred. Who doesn’t? And Crunch bars and popcorn from the beloved, but MIA Marks & Spencers…😢 
Every Jeudi/ Thursday Ines emails out her fashion thoughts etc. in French and English. I signed up. You can too. 
She also does a monthly gift box subscription that looks fun. Hmmm…competition! 
Ines is a dog person. She has two, Dinky and Comte Mosca. They have their own hashtags.What is not to love about Ines de la Fressange? What better Parisian guide could you have? Want to walk in Ines’ Roger Vivier shoes? First get her map  
            ❤️💋❤️💋❤️ Happy Mercredi PBers ❤️💋❤️💋❤️

12 comments:

  1. Anonymous1:02 AM

    She has a beautiful open face. And unlike what you said the other day with the big balloon skirt She wants us to be comfortable. Thank you Carol AWC Catering

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    1. Anonymous1:03 AM

      You say the loveliest things…Annie
      Yes she is exceptional CG

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  2. Anonymous6:53 AM

    Your "Happiness / Bonheur" map captures the sparkle that is Inès. Such a great way to start the day. I love her bleu blanc rouge handbag with the tassels, which is festive and totally Vive la france. - Quick question about your technique : can you tell me about your sketches - What paper do you use, and what do you actually sketch with (what ink, pen, pencil)? I took your advice and purchased both the earlier and more recent versions of David Dewey's watercolour book; lots to learn. Thanks for all your lively posts.

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    1. Anonymous8:14 AM

      I love to draw on cheesy tracing paper from Blick (5$) my current pen of choice is Uni Pin fine line BR black. They wear out too fast but C’est la vie…not expensive

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  3. Anonymous8:11 AM

    The map is lovely and colorful and inspiring. I also really like those shoes with the buckle. Where can I get some of those? Then my whole wardrobe might have to change. Anabel

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  4. Classic beauty.I like her nestled in her Provence home:)

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  5. Anonymous9:32 AM

    L❤️VE it!!! Fabulous job, C! And yes! She has cute, classy, NORMAL chiens!!
    Great map! Dorra

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  6. Bonnie L12:27 PM

    I have always admired Ines…such effortless style…such joie de vivre! I have her Parisian Chic & Parisian Chic City Guide books. I covet her book with Marin Montagut…looks fabulous. Another terrific map, Carol. ❤️

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    1. Anonymous2:24 PM

      Thanks Bonnie, yes it is a lovely Paris home decor book..so many ideas. She is adept at running a 3-ring circus. I dont know how she does it..

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  7. Anonymous12:30 PM

    I'm mad for those Roger Vivier big buckle shoes!
    Ines fan

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    1. Anonymous2:24 PM

      They seem ti be very popular amd a long standing style with RV…

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  8. Anonymous7:26 PM

    Love your post about all Ines!!

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