'It's a love affair I’m getting to have with Italy right now,’ laughs Ashley Park. The actor, otherwise known as Mindy of Emily In Paris phenomenon, has doubled down on all things Italian: not only did she spend most of season four shooting in Rome, she’s collaborated with Weekend Max Mara – the quintessential Italian brand – on a brand new capsule collection titled ‘A Weekend With Ashley Park’.
‘1,000%, it’s la dolce vita lifestyle,’ she says, fresh off a flight from NYC. ‘With a little bit of the French Mediterranean in there. It’s fun and flirtatious, with a bit of regal elegance.’
Emily In Paris, the Netflix hit which made Park and her fellow castmates – Lily Collins, Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu and Lucien Laviscount – household names back in 2020, is a romcom of love triangles, marketing campaigns and, of course, mostly bonkers fashion. ‘Working in France and Italy, these are two cities with such a deep history of fashion with ateliers. I’ve really learned a lot about the craftsmanship and legacy; fashion isn’t just about clothes, it’s an entire ecosystem.’ Designing a collection for Weekend Max Mara has brought the experience full circle. ‘In Emily In Paris, we use the costumes for story-telling. Every single outfit is a collaboration [between Park and the costume design team]. Mindy actually borrowed a lot from my wardrobe this season,’ she laughs. ‘Working on this collection was the same – we wanted it to transport you to a weekend in Liguria, where it’s peaceful, ensuring you are taking time to smile, rest, nap, eat good food. That’s what a weekend with me looks like!’
So, what does a corresponding wardrobe look like? Off-the-shoulder flared dresses, sleek shifts, cropped blouses and printed skinny pants fit for a weekend at the seaside. A reimagined Weekend Max Mara signature trench coat comes adorned, in typical Park style, with a bold brushstroke motif. ‘There’s a rich colour scheme – we’ve tried to infuse my sense of style into the collection.’
Born in California and raised in Michigan, Park first discovered Paris when filming season one. ‘Like many Americans, I’ve had this long-distance love affair with Europe and the Mediterranean lifestyle by the seaside,’ she recalls. ‘I remember the first time I went to the Amalfi Coast and it was incredible; we wanted to capture the spirit with this collection – the lightness, breathability and colourfulness. It completely puts you in a relaxed state of mind.’ Not that Park – as exuberant and positive as her on-screen persona – shows any signs of slowing down.
Jane McFarland is Grazia’s Associate Editor, overseeing fashion, beauty and luxury content. A fashion journalist for over ten years and previously The Sunday Times Style’s Wardrobe Mistress, Jane loves dissecting trends, discovering new brands and writing about personal style.