The Swelle Life: Francoise Hardy: Looks and Style as Inspiring as Her Music

Top 15 Spring 09 RTW Collections

1. Balenciaga
2. Marc Jacobs
3. Alexander McQueen
4. Eley Kishimito
5. Basso & Brooke
6. Luella Bartley
7. Chanel
8. Rodarte
9. Sinha-Stanic
10. Richard Chai
11. Sabyasachi
12. Jonathan Saunders
13. Lanvin
14. Erdem
15. Christopher Kane

This list is interchangeable, really! And could easily have been a Top 25. Selections from these shows can be seen in the 'Spring 09 Wish List' category in the right sidebar

Top Facts about Coco Chanel

1. Began as a hat designer in Paris in 1908.
2. Part of the revolutionising of fashion during the 1910s, freeing women from restrictive clothing such as corseted gowns
3. Launched the famous Chanel suit in 1923.
4. Influential in the creation of the 1920s flapper image.
5. Popularised the LBD with a backless, strapless version that created much controversy.
6. Introduced costume jewelry to the world and the multi-strand style of layering necklaces.
7. Fashion's only figure to be named on Time Magazines 100 most influential people of the 20th century.

May 21, 2008

Francoise Hardy: Looks and Style as Inspiring as Her Music

Let's go back about 40 years or so to the heyday of Francoise Hardy - 'The Yeh-Yeh Girl from Paris' - French singer, actress and muse. A strong yet beautiful voice (still) with looks and style to match (still), making her one of the most influential Francophone style icons to date. Her sideswept, eye-grazing fringe, well-defined features and Courreges wardrobe (Andre Courreges was apprentice to Balenciaga in 1950, while Hardy is muse to Nicolas Ghesquiere, current creative director of the Balenciaga brand) created the look that designers and fashionistas are continuing to emulate today.

Ah, isn't that true style? How many of us can look back to when we were younger and not cringe? And let's see how many of today's Hollywood 'icons' will be identified as such in even five years' time. So few are able to endure to become legendary icons, it's that extraordinary combination of innate coolness, raw talent, unique beauty and that certain 'je ne sais quoi' that makes others follow so faithfully. And that's why we love them.

Francoise Hardy most certainly possesses that irresistable spirit, it comes through in her music and her images and bang, you're hooked. Yet another reason I adore French culture, Paris is the mother of the enigmatic woman.

Here's a live version of Voila from 1967 (she was 23). Hardy looks incredible as she finishes the song, stands there for a few seconds then skips coyly off the stage (and her look is over 40 years old yet hasn't dated whatsoever, I'm in awe):