Thursday, April 3, 2014

New capsule wardrobe pieces - Ines de la Fressange collection

What I was most looking forward to on our recent trip to Paris, was to visit Uniqlo, a Japanese fashion retailer. The reason for the excitement was to see the result of their close collaboration with Ines de la Fressange, the recently launched Ines de la Fressange collection.


I still remember her from the eighties, when she was a supermodel (well before the supermodels of the nineties arrived!), and muse of Karl Lagerfeld. It was only through her 'La Parisienne' book that I became aware of her activities in recent years. Age 56, she is more amazing than ever, and apart from being the epitome of french chic and style (she is always dressed with timeless and casual elegance) it is her sparkling, charming and unpretentious personality that I find so compelling.


Her collection consists of beautiful basics in great neutrals. Navy, beige, ecru, white and black dominate, but there are also stripes and floral prints, and a few splashes of warm red.


the accessory line consists of hats, and linen and silk scarves





Below the trousers and tops I bought. The wide-leg chino trousers are my absolute favorite (top left and right), the fit is fabulous and comfortable (they come in a straight leg version too).  The sizing of all items is generous, I went down one to two sizes from my normal size.

More on Ines de la Fressange:

'La Parisienne' ~ available through amazon.fr
The book is like her, a breeze of fresh air. With outspoken charm, she guides her readers through fashion do's and don't's (with extra tips for those of us who are 50+), and offers advice on many different aspects of a Parisian woman's chic and stylish life, including tips on where to eat and shop. Many of these places are in the Rive Gauche quarters, and it was so nice to see that some of them are my favorite spots as well (I still remember the first time I had coffee at the Café de Flore 30 years ago). Others I have not heard of before, or they weren't on my radar. I am so happy to have discovered wonderful things through her... most of all, my love for Roger Vivier shoes!
English version (Parisian Chic): available through amazon.com

'Le petit carnets d'Ines'
These are short and whimsical films, where she takes her viewers along to her favorite shops, places and occasional cafés or restaurants. Most of them are less known, and some I've never heard of, which is part of why these films are so much fun to watch. She talks to her audience as if she is with friends... in a conspirational way and a warm deep voice, all coupled with a great sense of humour. It is impossible not to adore her!
The films can be found on Roger Vivier's website (she is involved in many different aspects of the company and brand):
French version: Le petits carnets d'Ines
English version: Ines' little diaries

Her collaboration with Uniqlo: click here to see the video

Re-launch of her own brand: www.inesdelafressange.fr





Capsule wardrobe pieces:  black jersey shirt and Chino wide leg trousers in navy (col 69)
Shoes: canvas sneakers (Superga)
Accessories: Hermès 'La femme aux Semelles deVent' 90 Carré and 'Chaîne d'ancre' printed enamel bracelet
Scarf tying method: basic bias fold




A variation with orange and red





Capsule wardrobe pieces: ecru tank top, charcoal cardigan and Chino wide leg trousers in navy (col 69)
Shoes: canvas sneakers (Superga)
Accessories: Hermès 'Tour des clés' 70 Carré, 'Chaîne d'ancre' printed enamel bracelet and Picotin in sanguine
Scarf tying method: Asymmetrical wrap





Merci, Ines!


53 comments:

  1. Dear MaiTai, I love this post! Being a fan of Ines, I have her Parisian Chic book and have seen all of her delightful "little diaries." How sad, there are no Uniqlo stores in the Seattle, Washington area yet. The collection sold out immediately online, but I believe they have restocked most items now (time to shop!). Your orange and red pairing is stunning; you manage to wear so many different color families in ways that flatter your complexion. Those wide-leg trousers look absolutely huge (in the capsule photos, not on you!). But, if you and Ines can wear them, perhaps I can also.
    Warm aloha,
    Fifi

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Fifi, so nice to find we all have more and more in common.. Ines rocks! For the trousers, you get a better picture when you click onto the link (I lie the items flat when taking photos, which adds to their width!). Hope the online shop is fully restocked, have fun shopping!

      Delete
  2. What a fun post on Ines...love all things Ines! I even cut my hair like her short crop when she was KL muse and the face of Chanel in the mid 80's...ha! How lucky you are to have been able to shop her collection for Uniglo! Love your choices and you look as easy,chic and confident as Ines! I think a huge part of the attraction to her is that she exhibits confidence in her own skin! That same quality, which you exhibit here,post by post, time after time, is what draws us all in! I think she may well be your long lost,long legged,style sister;-) Oh...hello,could the price point be any better? Looking good dear friend! Have a super weekend! T xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh that haircut was so chic! I was thinking cutting mine that way too, but didn’t have your courage! :-) Agree with you on Ines’ self confidence. Love how she comes across in the diary videos, unpretentious and real. And yes, the price point is incredible. My shopping bag came to 189.50 EUR! Have a super weekend xx

      Delete
  3. Thank you for your post on Uniqlo and Ines de la Fressange. I went on the first day of the collection launch here in Shanghai. It seemed like every French person living in or visiting Shanghai was there! I loved the white and blue cotton dress, the workman's shirts and the V-neck sweaters. I snapped up a couple cotton/linen scarves, so suitable for our hot and humid summer here in Shanghai when it is too ruinous to swear an Hermes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Early bird catches the worm, well done! There were no scarves left in Paris that day, would have loved to try them. Wear yours in health and happiness :-)

      Delete
  4. Wow, I love this post! I have always been intrigued by Ines. Her beauty, her sense of style, and her many accomplishments. Enjoyed her videos as well.

    How lucky you are to be able to view her new collection. It looks amazing and very affordable. Love the new pieces you purchased. Looking very smart in your blue chinos!

    I truly enjoyed this post! :-)

    Warmly, Simone x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Love our new little club, all united in our admiration and attraction to Ines! According to her website www.inesdelafressange.fr she’s relaunching her own label, starting off with ballet flats and scarves. So exiting! x

      Delete
  5. Dearest MaiTai,

    I am a fan of Ines de La Fressange too! I have her book in both English and French and often watch her "Carnets". They are lovely!
    She, like you my dear, is efortless chic and has so much style. Her way of moving, talking...
    I like the pieces you bought. They are nice and afordable. Will definitely have a closer look at the rest of her collection.
    Wishing you a wonderful weekend. Spring hugs, Manuela

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Have fun discovering her collection, my dearest Manuela! Great idea to have the book in french too, the english translation sometimes doesn't capture her esprit and humor in quite the same way… Have a wonderful week ahead! xx

      Delete
  6. Great minds think alike. I bought quite a few pieces in London recently. I think Paris has a better collection.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Congratulations on your pieces! Nice to be wardrobe siblings :-)

      Delete
  7. Dear MaiTai, good morning and thank you for this super post on the inspiration of Ines. I was not aware of her book, so I shall seek this out. By strange coincidence, I am in fact in London today on a little spring shopping trip, and off to Uniqlo Regent Street this morning! I have spied some rather nice looking dresses also, so shall try these and let you know. Apparently Regent Street has re-stocked already! I too have heard that the sizes, for some reason, are cut on the large size. PS my order arrived from your friends at Kettlewell, and I am very pleased - various capsule pieces, which I know I shall use over and over. I ordered a number of items in white only, but now I have received them and tried them, and like the quality and fit, I shall order in various colours. Thanks for the recommendation! Enjoy your lovely new wardrobe additions, they look super on you. Have a wonderful weekend and thank you as ever for your wonderful blog.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, hope your trip to Uniqlo was fruitful, please let us know if anything came home with you! So great to hear you are pleased with your Kettlewell items, will make sure to forward your lovely comment :-) Have a great week ahead, and fun with your wardrobe additions!

      Delete
    2. Hey MT, I'm just back after Easter break away and thought I would let you know Uniqlo visit was indeed productive, purchased slim fit shirt and polo, very inexpensive, and nice fit; sadly no jeans or chinos in small sizes, so I am about top do something I rarely do, which is to order online without trying on! Thanks for the pics of your new purchases, your pieces look lovely on you - really helpful! s

      Delete
  8. Thanks for the wonderful post, MaiTai

    So glad to hear that I'm not the only Uniqlo fan who will add Hermes to its pieces! And Ines makes the brand so special now! Of course she was my favorite model back in 80's, iconic and beautiful.
    We just came back from SF but didn't have a chance to go see Uniqlo, hope I'll catch them when we go to Japan this summer!

    ox gkaroma

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Uniqlo’s is such a great brand (love their ultra light downs too), hope you get lucky in Japan! Here’s to Ines and Uniqlo x

      Delete
  9. immediately after reading your wonderful new post I investigated where the next uniqlo-shop could be... Unfortunately it is in Berlin, which I really love, but for a shopping trip it is (in this very moment) too far away :-(
    So I will pine for the ines-collection while looking at your photos!
    You look really great (as always)!
    Have a wonderful weekend! Claudia

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry, I was in hurry when I wrote my comment; so here is my correction: the uniqlo-shop in Berlin will open on april, the 11.
      And I wanted to say: You are looking really great (as always)!
      A wonderful start in a new week! Claudia

      Delete
    2. How exciting re the opening, chances are that they’ll be well stocked too! Berlin ist immer eine Reise wert…hope you can somehow make it. If not, perhaps they’ll have the collection online.. finger’s crossed. Have a great week ahead!

      Delete
  10. She has wonderful effortless style, so am sure she will be a runaway success. Love your navy and black pairing, great minds think alike...I wore the same combination yesterday!! Thanks for a fun post to start my day.

    ReplyDelete
  11. You picked great bits and bobs from her collection, I'd love to try on the wide trousers, I'd quite like to dabble in a different silhouette for a change.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad you like the pieces. I can only recommend the wide leg chinos!

      Delete
  12. I love Ines, as well, but MT, my dear, you could be her blonde sister - the same confidence, joie de vivre; the model-slim figure; the mile-long legs.

    Her collection looks just as good on you - maybe better . . . cause you've added a bit of Hermès to the mix.

    Thanks for this very fun and charming post. Her clothes do look like the kind you'd be comfortable living in for the rest of your life, and isn't that a breath of fresh air!

    Bisous,
    Jerrine

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jerrine...ITA about these two being related! See my same comment above! If not related by DNA, definitely by style and joie de vivre!

      Delete
    2. Trudye, we are definitely of one mind here. If not blood sisters, they're definitely related when it comes to effortless style and the ability to wear anything and look terrific.

      (I jumped right on the Uniglo site and found two wonderful sweaters I loved - all sold out in other than a size x-small. Darn!)

      A happy weekend to you,
      Jerrine

      Delete
    3. I did the same and found everything sold out or wrong size...frustrating! I don't know how often they reload the stock...but,have a feeling that once this collection is sold out ...it is history! I will watch for Ines' own collection that I understand she is resurrecting ;-) Cheers to a great weekend, T

      Delete
    4. Trudye, don't give up! I called the New York headquarters store yesterday and spoke with customer service. They assured me that the line is in the process of being restocked. They couldn't say exactly when, but she did say that they restock the online store about every three days and to keep checking back. You bet I will - I want those sweaters!

      Jerrine

      Delete
    5. Oh Jerrine, thanks so much for doing the intel on Uniglo! I will definitely keep an eye out for the restock...good to know as I thought this may be one of those 'one of' collections! Thanks again, T

      Delete
    6. My dearest Jerrine, you are way too kind! The Hermès does of course a little magic here ;-) So true re the comfort, I have not worn any other trousers since!!

      Trudye and Jerrine, love your exchanges… it makes this such a fun and lively place <3 xx

      PS. You made me glow red hot... could not look any further from Ines!

      Delete
  13. Dear Mai Tai,

    What a wonderful post!!!!

    Is my former mothr in "love" used to tell me "Birds of a feather flock together"...

    I do love Ines collection and have been browsing the her Uniqlo colection but unfortunately there isn't still any Uniqlo store in Spain...

    I don't dare to but things like trousers on line as you said sizes could be really different..

    Anyway I like very much the ones you choose and your outfits are So Ines.. or SO Mai Tai... chic, smart, and beautiful.

    Regards from Barcelona!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, dearest Ilsa! How wonderful to change ‘law’ into ‘love’, this is heartwarmingly beautiful. Tweet tweet from one orange feathered bird to another xx

      Delete
  14. De très beaux achats comme d habitude j aime beaucoup aussi la robe portefeuille sur la photo INS est magnifique avec la longueur aux genoux juste se qu il faut .
    Ces achats vous vont a merveille et vous avez sue marier des petits prix avec de tés belles choses hermès tout a fait l etat d esprit d INES .
    Passez un très bon weekend . Bises .
    MYRIAM

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Merci pour votre gentil commentaire, ma chère Myriam. J’imagine que la collection vous plaît…c’est un vrai festival de noir et blanc! Une belle semaine a vous. Bises

      Delete
  15. Oh if only I had the height to wear wide leg pants! The chinos look super comfy and you make them stylish. I adore Ines Parisian Chic. Feeling inspired I got my lightweight trench out of the wardrobe and will add it in the mix here this autumn.

    Xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It isn’t often that our temperatures coincide, but right now, it is perfect trench weather here too! The chino comes in a straight leg version too, which is equally gorgeous. Have a happy autumn ahead xx

      Delete
  16. Well dear MT you already know what I thought if Ines de la Fressange!
    I am absolute fan of her and this new large teousers seems very very fantastic on you so tall and thin. Hope they will open something soon in Geneva but unfotunately we have not so many choice in this towm....
    Amities
    Monica

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So nice to have so much in common, chère Monica! And it’s fun to have our own Ines fan club here.. Fingers crossed for an opening in Geneva. If not, I hope you’ll be lucky on one of your travels! Amities

      Delete
  17. Chére MONICA actuellement j habite dans le sud de la France mais avant 2011 j habitais dans se fabuleux quartier car mon beau fils travaille au SENAT donc se quartier et les alentours de st Sulpice et jusqu au bon marché sont mes endroit de predilection et en plus très pratique a pieds sans vehicules dans PARIS.
    Je vous souhaite un très bon weekend. MYRIAM

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. J’ADORE cette quartier, chère Myriam… mais vous le saviez déjà :-)

      Delete
  18. P.s. This new pants larger remind me the years 80!
    But fashion is an eternal re-beginning....
    Monics

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh the eighties! The clothes we’ve been wearing!!

      Delete
  19. Chere Myriam,
    Je parle de Geneve en Suisse.
    Cordialement
    Monica

    ReplyDelete
  20. I must confess to a girl crush on Ines, she is so fabulous, so chic. I love those chinos on you, would love some like that, must check out the website. xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is impossible not to adore her!! Good luck with the chinos xx

      Delete
  21. ITA w/ Jerrine and Trudye. You could be Ines' blonde sister! I really like the detail on the cardigan, but will likely have to wait for restocking!

    Scarf twins with you on Tour des clues, dear! :-) May I ask a favor of you? I failed to keep my tags for many scarves; this one being one of them. Since you have wisely saved all of your tags, what are the colors in this scarf? I wore nearly the same outfit a week ago, but wore jeans instead of chinos. A simple, yet elegant style that I've learned from you, dear. Isn't that little 70cm just the right punch of color on those in-between winter and spring days?

    Congratulations on your new score, dear.

    Warm orange hugs,
    CS

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know our dear MaiTai will provide a more charming response herself, but while we all wait, can I add that I had the same question, and found my answer in MaiTai's post of April 6, 2010? I think it was "orange/mastic/prune"; color way 2. It's a delight -- clever you to have snagged one!

      --Azalie

      Delete
    2. Thank you, very much Azalie! So very kind of you to search the archives and find this for me. XX The soft background color in this scarf makes it a great base for many neutrals. If it is on your wish list, I hope that your search ends soon. :-)

      CS

      Delete
    3. Dearest CS, so lovely to be TdC scarf twins with you! And yes, it’s perfect for early spring :-) Your outfit sounds lovely (I wore the cardie with jeans the next day too!). Enjoy a beautiful spring xx

      Delete
    4. Azalie, thanks so much for stepping in, that was so kind of you!

      Delete
  22. I like those slouchy wide leg chinos you chose very much! They look so chic and modern on willowy figures such as yours. Sadly, they don't suit me but I managed to get a few great basics from the collection. Love the pictures you posted and it does look like Paris got a better selection.

    I've been enamored of Ines and her style since the days she was the model for Chanel. I actually met her in the mid 80's when she was touring the US to promote Coco perfume. I sputtered some nonsense to her.and she signed a photo of herself to me - which I still have. She was head to toe in black/white Chanel - a dress I remember - with that perfect tousled bob and red lipstick and a darling heavily French-accented English .:An oasis of French chic in a suburban American mall. :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Nice picks from the line, I had no idea she had a collaboration with them. Your outfit is fab, you're amazing with scarves.

    ReplyDelete