Today, our guest is a personal stylist from Paris, Vic de Rocco, and we will, of course, talk about the famous French style and its secrets!
What conquers us in French fashion? Do French women wear Chanel jackets? Why is the black color of Parisians considered ceremonial? How to bring a little French charm to your wardrobe? The personal stylist Vika de Rocco, who lives in the world capital of fashion, reveals her secrets to us!Never listened to podcasts before and don’t know what it is? Be sure to try it, because you will definitely like this convenient format!
Podcasts are audio files of various lengths that are very similar in content to broadcasts on a regular radio station. They are convenient to listen to on the go, at needlework and just during household chores.
You can listen to podcasts on any device:
Apple
Yandex
Do not forget to subscribe to our podcasts - there are a lot of exciting and hot topics from the world of fashion and sewing, interesting interlocutors and news ahead!
For those who prefer not to listen but to read, we have prepared a transcript of the conversation!
Marianna Makarova: Good afternoon, friends! You are listening to the podcast of Burdastyle magazine about fashion and style trends. With you I am the editor-in-chief of Marianna Makarova. And today we are visiting
personal stylist Vic de Rocco. Hello, Vika!
Vika de Rocco: Good afternoon, Marianne! Good afternoon friends!
MM: We will talk about a topic that most of our listeners will probably be interested in. Because this is French fashion: so alluring, so attractive and so close, probably to every heart. And Vika, like no one else, knows everything about it, because Vika is not just a personal stylist, but a personal stylist who lives in Paris. Vika, tell me, please, do you feel that you live in the capital of fashion? At the very center of this fashion industry?
BP: Of course I feel. And it could not be otherwise, because Paris is really a fashion center. This is not just a beautiful image, it is a story. And the fashion that we know, that is, the fashion of the twentieth century, it originated in Paris, it developed there. And all the fashion designers who made some kind of revolutionary discoveries, they were mainly French, and therefore Paris is the epicenter of fashion, and it is impossible not to feel it until now.
MM: Why is French fashion so close to the heart of a Russian woman? Well, it’s clear that we have long-standing historical ties. And a very powerful stream of emigration after the revolution was precisely to France. It is no secret that many women worked in many fashion houses, including women of very noble origin. But, nevertheless, what is there in French fashion that conquers us so much?
BP: It seems to me that here you can see from two points of view. On the one hand - yes, indeed, French fashion houses were very inspired by Russian style, these are our hats ... But this is such a historic moment. It seems to me that if you ask someone now: what does it mean to be dressed in the French style, there is hardly anyone in the head who will be sent back to the beginning of the century and to some couturier gadgets there.
Most likely, everyone will present the Marseille sailor in a beret, vest and in some kind of red scarf. As they say now, it means being dressed in the French style. And in principle, this is also true.
If you ask about what attracts women and why Paris is such a mystical mystery? It seems to me that this is romance: France is tightly connected with such a flair of romanticism and love ...
MM: Well, Paris, as you know, is a city of love! But tell me, please, whoever has been to Paris and especially if he often goes there, he notices such a peculiarity: Parisians themselves dress rather modestly and, I would even say, ascetic.Basically, it is black: black trousers and black turtlenecks ... And where is the highlight that we aim for and go there for? What do Parisians themselves love?
BP: Yes, I agree with you that black is very popular. The black color in France is the ceremonial color and the color of the holiday. And we can’t say that in everyday life they are all so black. I would say, rather in the blue - both men and women. A black color - it works great among young people. For example, if we drive past some fashionable night club somewhere in the summer, we will see a line of young people who are lining up in front of the entrance, and this line will be made of completely black people in all black.
But this is not quite the color for everyday life, because if you go through Paris, in such areas as Marais, Montmartre, Saint-Sulpice - in these districts we will see a lot of interesting characters. And here is the big and significant difference between our ladies and between the French? They are all very keen to show their individuality, to show some zest. And you look around and see completely different characters from completely different stories. And you do not see the same types and faces, especially among young people.
Of course, if we are talking about women for 45-50 years, then they strive for a more elegant style. But if we talk about young people under 35–45 years old, then this is such a variety of images, it is simply impossible to describe!
MM: Please tell me, after all, is French fashion - is it cosmopolitan? Has she absorbed some values from other cultures? It is known that Paris is incredibly attractive to emigrants, and emigrants from around the world: from Africa, the Middle East, not to mention our post-Soviet space ... Or, after all, French fashion and this culture of French fashion struggle for their identity and themselves somehow guard?
BP: Interesting question. I don’t even know how to answer it this way. On the one hand, indeed, when we walk along the street, we see representatives of completely different cultures who are sometimes dressed in their national clothes. But on the other hand, if you look from the point of view of fashion, and just look at the French shops in Paris, I can’t say that there will be a lot of eclecticism. I didn’t notice it, it is not striking. Another thing is in jewelry, in accessories, in how people wear clothes. I can’t say that this is such a noticeable trend. In addition, the French are very fond of their culture, very fond of their country and very fond of small production. For example, if you walk not at Montmartre, but at its foot, and see some small shops there, then this is simply amazing!
When you go into such a small shop, you see that one woman works there, she makes rings. And it is so animated! The French have a tendency to support what we now call small business. But in fact - this is a small art.
MM: Tell me, how do the French and French themselves relate to iconic brands. It's no secret that many Russian women would like to have, for example, a jacket from Chanel in their wardrobe. This is considered the height of prestige and elegance. Do French women wear Chanel?
BP: First of all, you can't fool a Frenchman with any brand! It happened culturally, historically and politically that the bulk are people educated with great taste. It seems to me that they’re somehow stirred in their blood (laughs). Therefore, even when a person dresses simply or when he sets the table for a regular dinner, then there is a deep taste in everything. It is impossible to blur this view of them with a brand!
Secondly, what is called slow fashion - "slow fashion" is now popular in France. This is when people, especially the younger generation, try not to support mass production. And do not support hyperconsumption, but rather turn to "slow fashion." They have very popular vintage shops, second-hand - no one disdains or neglects this.Therefore, if this is some kind of vintage Chanel jacket, which was obtained somewhere and at some (still very important!) Small price, then, of course, this is super! But so that if there was some kind of novelty and it must immediately appear in the wardrobe, then this is not. And it’s not customary for them to show money, because it is considered bad form, not about that, as they say, in life you need to think.
MM: How great! By the way, about slow fashion, "slow fashion", we have already said, this is a wonderful trend, which is really now observed in many countries. Please tell me, you work as a personal stylist, you help people get dressed, and when your clients come to France for shopping, what do you advise them to buy? Or what do you advise to pay attention to?
BP: I advise you to pay attention to things that match the style of this person. And if you again ask me about shopping in Paris, then I will advise you to choose locations and places, for example, go to Saint-Sulpice and look there. I advise you to go to the Marais district, because shopping in Paris is a little more than just shopping! You are in a beautiful place and in a pleasant atmosphere, and it gives such a big fuse and so kindles your eyes that it already gives a lot more than any particular acquired thing.
MM: Vika, there is an opinion that for shopping in Paris you need a lot of money! Can you refute this?
BP: No, I can’t! (laughs) But speaking from an economic point of view, this is not about saving money. Because never happens cheap flights to Paris! Here, unfortunately, because it is such a popular destination.
MM: But still, is it possible to buy a fashionable item in Paris, say, not very expensive? Discover a little secret!
BP: I can say this: if we are talking about luxury brands, about French luxury brands, then it makes sense to fly to Paris for them, because there really can be saved a very decent amount.
If we are talking about the middle price segment, about brands that are known to us and popular in Russia, for example, Mash or Sandro, then the budget for shopping, in order to make it economically feasible, should be from 350 thousand rubles. It's still a very high budget! Therefore, planning a trip to Paris to go shopping specifically and expect that it will be economically viable - utopia! If you are already in Paris and if you came to rest there, then look at the French brands: you will return it on tax free then, and it will be cheaper and more interesting for you.
Hmm, I see. Not every of our listeners has such a budget, but there is one indisputable advantage. All readers of Burda magazine are incredibly hand-made, they can do a lot of things with their own hands, including stitching a Chanel jacket. Please tell me, after all, for women who love the French style and strive for it, and want to look a little French, but at the same time can not afford to go to France, what do you advise? And what can you bring to your wardrobe so that this famous French charm appears?
BP: Let's just say that there are three areas of French fashion, the cultural code of which is well read for us. Firstly, this is the image of the Marseille sailor, about whom I spoke at the beginning. It looks advantageous for almost everyone. And the image looks interesting, flirty, feminine. For the image you need a vest, respectively, one that suits you more in shape. Still need a beret. And below - depending on the type of appearance - it can be narrowed trousers, or a midi skirt in the style of a new bow, slightly diverging, flared to the bottom. And some shoes in men's style. And also a small neckerchief necessarily! This style will always be well read, and you will look cool in this French style! A beautiful image and it suits almost everyone.
The second direction is such a French fashion of the 70s.And in it, of course, the style icons simply rolled up! This is Jane Birkin, and Brigitte Bardot, and all these attractive and sexy images of French cinema, which are also quite simple to create. Pay attention to things from velveteen, suede and velvet. For example, some corduroy trousers plus a simple white shirt plus a neckerchief, plus some voluminous sweater or cardigan - they will already send you to the 70s. And if you also make the appropriate hairstyle, it will be just great!
Well, the third direction, let's say, is closer to luxury and elegance, this is the direction of Chanel and the classic jacket Chanel. A jacket is certainly a thing in the wardrobe that is very versatile. And if there are lucky ones who can sew a jacket with their own hands, then I really envy them! This is really cool and very versatile: with trousers, and with skirts, and with dresses, and with jeans, and even with torn jeans. The jacket is a wardrobe item that famously fits all styles and looks very French. The only thing in terms of advice, I would recommend paying attention to fittings. And maybe spend a little more time to find the right buttons. You can look somewhere in the cities on flea markets or in vintage shops, or in ruins, or at the grandmother's heaps in the chests. This will give the very French chic to such a wardrobe item as a Chanel-style jacket.
MM: Vika, I want to say that we have a great offer for all sewing women. These are great online courses at Burda Academy //akademia-burda.ru
on tailoring various models, in particular the Chanel jacket, according to its historical technology! When you process the details in the same way as you did directly in the fashion house: handmade gallows, tight buttons, and this is what you said, it gives the very right chic, adds a French touch or French zest. And therefore, I advise our readers to join our online courses.
For those who want to bring some new and fresh stream to their style, in the February issue of Burda magazine there will be such an unusual model as a biker jacket-jacket sewn from a boucle! This is the same Chanel jacket, but more modern and youth. In this situation, we offer a wide variety of directions.
I want to thank Vika for this interesting conversation and I think that those of our readers who want to look in French, regardless of whether they can take a plane ticket and fly to France, nevertheless they can do it. Stay with us, read our magazine and go to our site //burdastyle.ru And be sure to subscribe to the Burda podcasts in Apple and Google podcasts and Yandex music. And I thank Vic de Rocco, a personal stylist, and I hope that she will once again appear in our studio.
BP: Thank you very much for the pleasant conversation!
