How do you handle the conundrum of party season dressing when you’re allergic to sequins, hi-shine and anything that feels a little too… done? With her second Rouje collection, model slash designer slash Instagram star slash quintessential ‘French girl’ Jeanne Damas has the answer.
The velvet mini-dresses with low-key sparkle, lurex knits and silky wrap tops in animal print present a compelling option for those keen to avoid festive fashion clichés come December. And if the pieces look Instagram-friendly, that’s because they’re inspired by Jeanne’s own wardrobe. ‘It’s the continuity of what we’ve done before. It’s still my perfect wardrobe, dropping every six months: I have to be able to wear everything, so that’s why it’s in small collections,’ she explains to Grazia. ‘We kept the dots [from Rouje’s debut drop] because they’re very Parisian. We added some Studio 54 influences because I love that ‘70s mood for going out, paired with big curly hair. And I love working with silk because I loved it paired with jeans: it has a vintage feel, it’s easy for dinners out. Plus the wrap dress is back – it’s easy to wear and works for every shape.’
A statement-making party ensemble isn’t necessarily just about the dress: this time, Rouje’s sophomore collection branches out into outerwear and accessories. ‘For me, it was also important to have bigger pieces for winter, like the coat [the grey checked style and ‘Felix’ jacket in faux fur are standouts. It’s the first time we’ve done boots, shoes and belts, too. Next year we are going to do more accessories,’ Jeanne reveals, showing us a prototype that’ll (whisper it) surely be all over our Instagram feeds come spring. Fine-tuning the perfect pair of jeans is another preoccupation – but when the woman who has basically trademarked a lo-fi chic version of ‘jeans and a nice top’ talks denim, we listen. ‘We are all looking for the perfect jeans… I have to do a lot of clearing out,’ she laughs. ‘I buy vintage every time – my favourite spot is called La Mode Vintage, in Paris. The perfect blue colour is true with no green or yellow in it – I like it to be not too stretchy, but not not comfortable. It’s our objective, every season, to do a better one.’
As you might expect from the woman who’s become synonymous with a particular brand of Parisian chic, her style touchstones include the messy-haired likes of Charlotte Gainsbourg and Lou Doillon, along with vintage pieces from brands like YSL and Courreges plus a handful of more surprising reference points. ‘I love One Deadly Summer (L’Été Meurtier) with Isabelle Adjani,’ she says. The film, which Jeanne describes as ‘really famous in France, but no one knows it here,’ is a dark thriller: a cursory Google Image search shows the star reclining in a Rouje-esque array of slip dresses, cut-off denim and off-the-shoulder tops.
And as for the elusive concept of ‘French girl chic,’ inspiring endless #content promising to share the one style secret that all Parisians swear by? ‘There is no secret! The only thing you have to do is move to Paris,’ Jeanne says. ‘For Parisian women, it’s not about looks, it’s not about style – for me, it’s more about this beautiful city, culture and lifestyle. It’s more about attitude – style it your own way.'
*Rouje's A/W collection is available now on *rouje.com