Isabel Marant’s SS21 collection is redefining ‘Parisian chic’
The French designer’s covetable new collection – a riotous celebration of color, sparkle and playful silhouettes – showcases a contemporary and singular take on so-called ‘Parisian style’
Whether you call it ‘French-girl style’ or ‘Parisian chic’, the rest of the world seems to have a very limited – albeit much-loved – idea of how women in France, and particularly the capital, dress. However, the idea that our Gallic counterparts live in a uniform of perfectly fitted skinny jeans and dress in all-black for every occasion is not only reductive, it’s also outdated. While it’s true that Parisian women, on the whole, boast a certain je ne sais quoi that allows them to pull off many outfits with enviable élan and ease; women, no matter where they’re from, don’t represent one single homogenous group who share the same tastes. They’re wonderful because of, not in spite of, their multiplicities. One homegrown designer who not only recognizes but celebrates this fact is Isabel Marant.
Marant has been bucking convention and marching to the beat of her own drum since day one. She began designing clothes in her teens because she simply couldn’t find pieces she wanted to wear. No surprise, then, that the born aesthete went on to study design at the prestigious Studio Berçot and, in the early ’90s, after graduating, launched her eponymous, and now legendary, label. Marant’s Parisian boutique, filled with her exuberant yet effortless pieces, soon became folklore among the fashion insiders who flocked to the city twice each year to see the new collections, including her own.
Eschewing the idea that French women dress in a certain stringent and restrained way, Marant’s designs have always been imbued with a spirit of optimism and rebellion, masterfully combining bohemian, ’80s and rock ‘n’ roll elements to create a sartorial language and style that is all her own. Crucially, though, even worn from head to toe, Marant’s pieces never overpower the women wearing them – and the SS21 collection is no exception.
“Rather than leaning in to lockdown dressing… Marant doubled down on the joy, serving up a collection of wanderlust and disco-inspired pieces cast in mood-boosting hues
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Designed during the height of France’s first lockdown, Marant took a different tact to most designers – as ever. Rather than leaning in to lockdown dressing and incorporating an abundance of neutral sweats and knitwear into her summer collection, she doubled down on the joy, serving up a collection of wanderlust and disco-inspired pieces cast in mood-boosting hues ranging from deep magenta to dazzling metallics. Speaking of the collection, Marant said it was designed to bring women confidence, by bringing a sense of energy and exuberance to their closets, and lives, that might otherwise be lacking given the current climate – and she certainly delivered.
From powder-pink denim mini dresses and blouses to crisp white cotton jumpsuits and bleached denim separates, this dream collection can be worn instantly, but will also instantly transport the women wearing it to brighter days ahead. Consider these pretty-yet-practical pieces a sartorial salve to the drudgery and tedium of lockdown and off-duty dressing.
Elsewhere, Marant taps into her other great passion, music, in the form of iridescent, disco-inspired eveningwear that is sure to excite and entice maximalists at a time when we’re all trying to get our style mojo back after too many months spent in leggings and athleisure. Marant’s tapered silver trousers and bow-embellished camisole might appear outré, but they’ll slot effortlessly into your existing closet and can be styled separately – but, of course, they have the most impact when worn together. For those who are dreaming of a date night beyond the confines of your own living room, Marant’s studded bustier top and coordinating pants are a must-have. Insouciant yet sexy, these understated pieces will come alive in the warm flicker of candlelight.
The magic and enduring allure of Marant’s designs is in their ability to answer the demands of women’s daily lives, while also providing all the fantasy and excitement that pioneering fashion should. These are enchanting pieces that you’ll reach for season after season – and are sure to put a smile on your face every time.
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