My Paris: Interview with Inès de la Fressange

17 October 2022 by Margaret Kemp    1881  
My Paris: Interview with Inès de la Fressange
Margaret Kemp
By Margaret Kemp
“Life is never what it seems – and that’s the great thing about it.” — Inès de la Fressange Inès Marie Laetitia Eglantine Isabelle de Seignard de la Fressange was born near St. Tropez, to an aristocratic family where silver spoons came by the dozen. “I went to a boys school — I was the only girl! Very strange at that time — perhaps more usual in England or the USA. I really enjoyed it, especially playing football!” Inès de la Fressange Later, post-school, Inès de la Fressange became an international supermodel and Karl Lagerfeld’s muse. She was elected the new face of “Marianne,” the symbol of the French Republic, by the Association of Mayors of France in 1989. And her statue sits proudly in the Musée Grevin. In June 2008, she was awarded the Légion d’Honneur by the French Government. The mother of two daughters, Nine and Violette, she says, “It’s not necessary to be born in Paris to have le style de la Parisienne. I’m the best example; I was born in St. Tropez! It’s all about attitude. Parisian women are a mix of Bardot and de Beauvoir, they follow the codes, but break them as well!” Read how it’s done in her little blue book, Parisian Chic: A Style Guide. And also Happiness. Don’t leave home without it! And buy into Brand de la Fressange in her chic boutiques and online. Inès de la Fressange boutique on rue de grenelle, Paris What does Paris mean to you? Many different villages that make a great city. You live – left bank or right bank ? Strangely enough both! (laughs) Actually I am now right bank in a gorgeous street that I love in the 9th district but there is work in progress on a new flat in Montparnasse. Your favorite Paris ‘hood? Depends for what! But 9th and “Les Abbesses” is a delightful place to live. I especially like la rue des Martyrs with all the food shops. Inès de la Fressange
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Lead photo credit : Ines de la Fressange, courtesy of Margaret Kemp

More in alexia silvagni, elie top, Inès de la Fressange, Jardin du Luxembourg, jean-baptiste secheret, les abbesses, Moulin Rouge Paris, The Ritz Paris, zana murat

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By Margaret Kemp

Born in Hampton, Middlesex, UK, Margaret Kemp is a lifestyle journalist, based between London, Paris and the world. Intensive cookery courses at The Cordon Bleu, London, a wedding gift from a very astute ex-husband, gave her the base that would take her travelling (leaving the astute one behind) in search of rare food and wine experiences, such as the vineyards of Thailand, 'gator hunting in South Florida, learning to make eye-watering spicy food in Kerala;pasta making in a tiny Tuscany trattoria. She has contributed to The Guardian, The Financial Times Weekend and FT. How To Spend It.com, The Spectator, Condé Nast Traveller, Food & Travel, and Luxos Magazine. She also advises as consultant to luxury hotels and restaurants. Over the years, Kemp has amassed a faithful following on BonjourParis. If she were a dish she'd be Alain Passard's Millefeuille “Caprice d'Enfant”, as a painting: Manet’s Dejeuner sur l’herbe !