Have you found the customers are different in New York to France? And how has this affected your own personal style?
Honestly, I’ve found that in recent years, fashion in NYC and France feels pretty similar in some ways, but there are definitely still some differences.
For example, athleisure. Since moving to New York, I’ve never been more tempted to wear leggings or biker shorts! There’s this relaxed, casual vibe here that doesn’t really exist in France. In France, people tend to dress more ‘properly,’ even for errands or grocery shopping. But in the U.S., it's totally normal to throw on athleisure and head out for coffee or lunch with friends. You’d never catch a French person doing that—athleisure is strictly workout gear. France has pretty strict rules when it comes to fashion, and that applies to how people dress day-to-day.
On the other hand, I think New Yorkers, especially the younger generations, are so bold and creative with their fashion choices. There’s a lot of audacity in the way they dress. In contrast, French style is more about elegance and being visually pleasing, which is inspiring in its own right. But there’s less room for creative experimentation, partly because of the strong cultural norms around how to dress.
Another thing I’ve noticed is how Americans really appreciate European luxury fashion brands, especially the ones from the '80s, '90s, and early 2000s. Since most of these fashion houses—like Chanel and Dior—are European, they’re kind of woven into French culture. But for Americans, these brands are symbols of something rare and exclusive, something that not everyone has access to. There’s a sense of history and refinement that’s tied to them, and I think that makes them extra special here.
