When it comes to the intoxicating demeanor of the exquisitely “unkempt” Parisian, we demand the secret to the chic…
Another book review… In my defense, though, as the weather gets chillier, so does my desire to curl up in a cozy turtleneck and read about how to be chic… If I ever venture outside that is. How To Be Parisian is written by four highly reputable Parisian women, Anne Berest, Audrey Diwan, Caroline de Maigret, and Sophie Mas.
If there was one absolute underlying them of the book, it may be the cool and sensuous ‘femme’ figuration. This imagery alludes to an aura of sultry ease and confidence… something that Parisian women seem to be the innovators of. It is a book of absorption, as though the narrator is pouring class and sass into the reader, and one I thoroughly enjoyed. Certain elements of the book really seemed to point out the secrets of the Parisian women that we adore…
“Trust firmly in your luck, cling to your happiness and dare to take risks. They will see you and learn to accept you.”
-Rene Char, The Dawn-Breakers
This reminded me of a piece of wisdom once shared with me, 'always act more experienced than you are.' Isn't that the divine truth though? Countless opportunities have risen for me by simply acting and behaving in a way that I belonged there, persuasion in the vainest insistence of my competency, but with the grace of never saying so. Once my sister had applied for a part-time job as wait staff, and during the interview they had asked if she could cook. Rather than declining, she insisted out of nerves that although she couldn't cook she was an excellent baker, She left the interview with a job, but also a request for pies by next week for sale to customers. I've never seen the girl pickup a cookbook so fast...
A large theme of the book is aging, which articulated interestingly to me as the authors wrote with a ‘forever young’ voice. The beginning of the chapter “The Best Version of Yourself” rings in with a quote from Coco Chanel, Once you reach a certain stage in life, “you have the face you deserve.” Although Coco’s words weren’t spoken in this exact context, the book points out that her ‘Parisian Psyche rings true’ which is incredibly insightful and life does come full circle sometimes. Point being, you become a visual representation of your perception of the universe, so make it good. The book makes a blunt point that if you can tell that you’re had cosmetic surgery, it was done badly. Your beauty is a direct reflection on your ego’s perception. Make it beautiful, make it confident, and make it unforgettable.
“If her wardrobe is made up only of black, it’s not because she’s in mourning. Quite the contrary. Black is the color of celebration, the color of nights that never end, of women who pull the blinds to shut out the dawn. A long, dark silhouette, slender and elegant. That is the definition of a party here. And it seems that a tacit agreement on this code is shared by all those on the streets past midnight. Even white can appear as a stain on this darkened tableau. But don’t think this image is monotonous: Paris has found a name for this particular style. Words that come from the mouth of the man who, alone, seems to have invented black, Yves Saint Laurent. He used to say, “There’s not one black but many blacks.” He managed to convince people that this achromatic style is subtle art. If God made light, it seems that Saint Laurent turned it off just as successfully.”
If I could rip a page out of any book and stuff if in my wallet in case someone need to learn my identity it may be this one... The monochromatic art of dark and it's affected, aka me.
‘Intellectual Wealth’ was another major theme throughout the book, and I’ve never heard of the phrase prior but it seems to encompass my highest point of respect for male or female. Stating that the Parisian women finds it imperative to not only appear effortlessly chic but to also stay up-to-date on today’s politics and going-ons about the world. After all the most attractive look on someone is the passionate look when reading a book or journal that truly enriches them.
The illustrations in the book really brought the content to life. With beautiful pictures of Romy Schneider and Coco Chanel, the breezy and sensual French woman is shown with carefully chosen photographs. The images capture the femme mood of the book, giving the reader a seemingly obtainable goal. I believe the femme image is of importance as that theme attracts both men and women. It provides a sultry and intriguing image of ‘woman’ with ease. Clearly, the French have this song and dance mastered.
Post reading this, with plans in both Chicago, IL and Louisville, KY before Saturday, I will be stopping to grab a white silk shirt to wear with a lovely black brassiere, as well as a news journal, and a new pair of flats.
Adieu!
The Pardon 