My Life In Fashion: Caroline De Maigret
My style is best described as a mix of chic, androgynous and rock ‘n’ roll. It hasn’t evolved all that much over the years – I know what I like and have stuck to it. The way I dress has always been about finding a few key statement pieces that encapsulate my personality, in which I feel my best. I then mix them in with the basics I always rely on, like denim and t-shirts. If I could swap wardrobes with anyone it would be Keith Richards – his style is sexy, androgynous, very rock’n’roll but with a chic touch, which is very me.
My earliest fashion memory is the way my mother used to dress when I was a child. I always thought she was the chicest woman in town, and I distinctly remember her adding lots of gold bracelets when she was going out to a party. Those bracelets brought so much light to her outfits, and the idea of adding a little something extra is a principle that’s stuck with me. In fact, my best piece of fashion advice is to always add something a little unexpected to make your look feel more personal to you.
My biggest source of style inspiration has always been Charlotte Rampling. I find her effortless and pared-back approach to style and beauty extremely powerful, elegant and sexy. She’s comfortable with what she has and to me, nothing is more important than confidence when it comes to looking good. I also love the way she plays with both masculine and feminine clothes – it’s something I keep in mind when I’m putting an outfit together, too.
@CAROLINEDEMAIGRET
@CAROLINEDEMAIGRET
I try not to be confined to fashion rules, but there are a few things I think about when getting dressed and shopping for clothes. In general, I don’t mix more than three colours in any outfit – it’s not a hard and fast rule, but it’s an easy way to make your look feel a little more coherent. Don’t feel governed by the number on the label, either. When buying jackets and coats, I will often size up by one or two as I find the sharp lines and oversized look adds a certain allure. If you’re apprehensive about styling statement pieces, make the rest of your look monochrome – not only is it a clever way to balance out that piece, it’ll enhance your look with some subtle elegance. Finally, don’t be afraid to mix and match separates from your matching suits – it’s a surprisingly way to make your existing wardrobe feel new.
My modelling career has provided plenty of great memories. One of my earliest runway shows was walking for Ann Demeulemeester – it was one of my favourites. I remember seeing Patti Smith in the crowd, which was a pinch-me moment as she was one of my music idols. It was then that I understood rock’n’roll and fashion went hand in hand, which has partly influenced my decision to go into music production. One of my proudest moments was when Virginie Viard and Karl Lagerfeld asked me to walk in a Chanel show when I was 35. It was incredibly special to be asked back after I’d become a music producer and a mother – it gave me a lot of confidence.
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There was no one quite like Karl Lagerfeld. He’s probably the one person I’ve met in the fashion world who has surprised me the most – he was so witty and brilliant. Being around him always pushed you to learn more and be better, so I feel very fortunate to have worked with him during my time as an ambassador for Chanel. Chanel remains one of my favourite brands under Virginie Viard’s direction – I love how she plays with the masculine and feminine elements of a woman’s wardrobe. Everything she creates is always smart and elegant, but with a cool edge. My favourite thing in my wardrobe is a Chanel jacket – it just goes with everything.
ANN DEMEULEMESTEEROFFICIAL
French girl style doesn’t fit into a box. My style is often labelled as epitomising it, but there are lots of different ways French women dress. I suppose the cliché is quite classic, not too bold and with a touch of nonchalance, but I like to mix in pieces which reflect my personality. For example, I picked up a really cool ACDC t-shirt last week in a vintage shop in Paris. The golden rule with band tees is to make sure it’s a band you actually like!
My most extravagant fashion purchase was a red leather biker jacket. It was a great piece but sadly it never worked every time I tried it on, so I’ve rarely worn it. My first ever designer purchase was a Helmut Lang suit while it was him still designing – I don’t have it anymore as I gave it to my niece… I no longer fit into it! My most worn pieces are my jeans – I wish I could say I was more adventurous, but they’re just my go-to.
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