No matter how much we love New York, Paris is inarguably the fashion capital of the world. This exclusive biweekly version of Fashion on Fifth based at Parsons Paris highlights the international student fashion scene. Our returning writer Jane Lewis transports you beyond Fifth Avenue.
This week for Fashion on Fifth, I’m practicing my French. I’m only slightly kidding, but Fashion on Fifth has officially touched down in Paris. The New School’s campus in France predominantly attracts international students from Europe, Scandinavia, and the Middle East, providing a diverse range of cultural backgrounds that inspire everyday fashion choices. Frankly, I’m swooning everywhere I look, and I’m completely spoiled for choice in my student style selection this week.
If there is one thing I’ve learned since starting my studies here, excluding the lessons from my phenomenal professors, it’s that French style, specifically the essence of chic, is not contained in a few select garments. That striped top, unfortunately, is not going to turn you into Brigitte Bardot. A cigarette between your fingertips will not make you cool (debate me, I don’t care). And a beret will absolutely not get you confused with a French person — you’ve just been watching too much of Emily in Paris. But honestly, perfectly cut bangs are undeniably a gift from the fashion gods. You’ll hear my thoughts at the end, but here are what Parsons Paris students think will make you très chic.
Ahmad Dove he/they & Raky Wane she/her — @ahmadsatelier, @rakyjosefine
First-year Parsons Paris Fashion Studies MA students
Ahmad and Raky were strutting in unison down Rue Saint-Roch for a video when I rudely interrupted them because they looked like long-lost fashion twins. Their pose together came effortlessly just like their chosen outfits. Ahmad wears a black tank top, classic blue jeans, and pointed round toe boots which seamlessly matched Raky’s metallic asymmetrical top, silver ornamental belt, gray pants, and almost matching pointed boots. Neither of them believe that chic is embodied in a piece of clothing but rather an attitude. “To me it’s an energy,” Raky muses. “A way you carry yourself.” Ahmad steps in to add that “chic is a statement.” Not a statement piece but perhaps an inward one: an intention you set as you choose your outfit, your hairstyle, or even those you call your friends. “It’s not just a feeling,” Ahmad says. Dare I say that chic is a way of life?
Emma Schill she/her — @_emma_sph
Second-year Parsons Paris Art, Media, & Technology student
Emma is my monotone muse, pairing her Comme des Garçons knit sweater, the back of which is emblazoned with the brand’s name in a contrasting leather, with Urban Outfitters jeans and a simple COS T-shirt. Of course, every girl who knows how to dress will match their shoes with their bag. In Emma’s case, the vintage brown leather of the two elegantly contrast against the navy blue of everything else. “Chic is having a cool statement piece, like my sweater,” she tells me. “You don’t need so many loud pieces. Just one loud piece and style around it.” I must agree that too many colors and patterns can overwhelm a tasteful eye. By pairing a tactile knit (don’t forget the leather detail on the back) with a timeless denim, the textures of this outfit contribute to its simple complexity. Of course, nothing is an accident in a good outfit. “I love a good color coordination.” Emma smiles. Well, I love a girl with taste.
Cristina Salinas she/her — @crissalinaas
Second-year Parsons Paris Strategic Design and Management student
I have never seen so many heels in class as I have at Parsons Paris, and I love the ones Cristina pairs with white tights. Tights have always seemed conservative to me, stuffed under a school uniform or forced on by a mother who’s late to church. But Cristina has changed my mind. “Chic is elegant. Structured and classic shapes with a bit of a fun accessory,” she tells me. It’s true that perhaps the white tank top, skirt, and tights may seem a tad bland on their own, but add the leopard print scarf, kitten heels, and matching bag (are we seeing a theme?), and suddenly we have something reminiscent of a 1990s Dolce & Gabbana runway.
Ranze Zhang he/him & Ruosi Ni she/her — @zhangranze, @xc_milkt
First-year Parsons Paris Fashion Design MA students
What is chic? “Head to toe Balenciaga,” Ranze says. “I’m kidding.” (He’s not). Ranze is in fact wearing all Balenciaga, and it comes off as casual yet refined. He only wears black. It makes it easy to select an outfit in the morning, and as a genius yet busy fashion designer, he has more important things to worry about than whether he looks good. With all black, it’s guaranteed. Ruosi and Ranze were immediate Paris besties, and I’m smitten by the fact that she also only wears black, white, or gray. Today it’s white. Her silhouette is gorgeous, airy, and easy, and I can’t help but drool over her Miu Miu x New Balance sneakers with mismatching laces. “Ranze won’t wear white because he’s a messy eater,” she teases. In all seriousness, the two agree that chic comes from a good personality. That, and of course, Balenciaga.
Siena Levan she/her — @sienasofia
Second-year Parsons Paris Art, Media, & Technology student
Siena eats, breathes, and sleeps in perfect basics. Yes, she literally slept in this shirt. I hope she doesn’t mind me mentioning that, but it’s too endearing to leave out. I aspire to sleep in clothes that are up to par with my daily wardrobe. To her, chic is classic colors and “when you coordinate bags to shoes.” Black Air Forces are undeniably classic no matter what people may argue, and they do in fact match her black bag along with her sunglasses. Siena is unintentionally coordinated, and I can only dream of achieving this stylish simplicity on my smoke break.
My first two weeks in Paris have been a dream, filled with walking into people because the beautiful buildings are so distracting. I’ve also been drinking too much coffee — espresso is such a cute accessory. But my thoughts on chic are, since you asked, that it is absolutely an attitude and sense of confidence more than a piece of clothing. That being said, I do think that certain pieces in your closet can help you achieve this state of being. For example, a pair of pants that fit you perfectly.
Recently, after reading an article by fashion writer Liana Satenstein about how she took a Uniqlo tank top to the tailor, I got a pair of pants professionally altered. Let’s just say it changed my life. A new kind of confidence entered my body when I no longer had to fidget with the waistband or manually cinch them while looking in the mirror to wonder how different my life would be if they fit me correctly. I don’t need to wonder anymore.
But then there’s the rare occasion that you find a pair of perfect pants on the first try. This happened on my first day in Paris (certainly a good omen) at a delicious vintage store called At Dawn in the neighborhood Les Marais. The jeans slipped on effortlessly and buttoned with no room to spare. I glided around the store with no discomfort or consciousness about whether or not I looked good. I knew I did. They are a blue-gray wash by French brand Damart, and the girl working there said her mother and grandmother wear this brand, which frankly was all the approval I needed. I could continue a legacy of people I didn’t know.
Perhaps the essence of chic is just continuing a tradition or a legacy (whether your own or not) of wearing what makes you comfortable and not paying attention to the noise of microtrends or social media or whoever else is trying to dictate your wardrobe. Because as long as your bag matches your shoes, you’ll be fine!