Columns on fashion, culture and ideas

All posts in Inner Chic

Written by Natasha Fraser-Cavassoni and illustrated by Robert Beck, this column focuses on life in Paris, pepped up by the insiders who are steeped in chic

  • Deena Aljuhani Abdulaziz

    Inner Chic | Deena Aljuhani Abdulaziz

    At the tender age of 4, Deena Aljuhani Abdulaziz discovered Yves Saint Laurent. It was via a scent ad, showing “a model with slicked back hair, wearing a V-neck jumpsuit. It’s the kind of glamour and beauty that still resonates with me..."

  • Farida Khelfa

    Inner Chic | Farida Khelfa and Schiaparelli

    After a joyless couture show in January, I ventured out into the snow and caught sight of Farida Khelfa. She was wearing a maxi-length Azzedine Alaia coat, a dark mink scarf while her tapered trousers fell just above her sparrow-sized...

  • Galerie du Passage

    Inner Chic | Galerie du Passage

    Martial Cherrier is another lucky photographer to be showing at Pierre Passebon’s Galerie du Passage...

  • Van Cleef & Arpels

    Inner Chic | Van Cleef & Arpels

    Darling Santa Sugar Daddy, please hop on your reindeer, find the right private collector in Los Angeles and steal this Van Cleef & Arpels emerald collar...

  • Blanca Li

    Inner Chic | Blanca Li

    If in Paris this month, try to see a performance of Elektro Kif at La Cigale. Full of pep and performed by very young dancers (the oldest is 23) it’s directed by the Spanish dancer Blanca Li...

  • Thadée Klossowski de Rola

    Inner Chic | Thadée Klossowski de Rola

    I first heard about Vie Revée – Thadée Klossowski de Rola’s memoirs – through Karl Lagerfeld. “The book is really charming,” Karl said, with a soft smile. And ‘charming’ is the perfect word for Thadée...

  • Eileen Gray

    Inner Chic | Eileen Gray

    I first heard about Eileen Gray (1878 – 1976) via Andrée Putman, the recently deceased interior designer. Andrée who pulled off glove-tight Alaia dresses and towering Louboutin heels like no one else...

  • Hermès Scarves

    Inner Chic | Comme des Garçons x Hermès

    Sometimes the best birthday gifts are purchased by yourself. I realised this when I fell in love with Cheval Surprise – a silk square from Comme des Carrés, Hermès' collaboration with Comme des Garçons – and handed over my dosh...

  • Olivier Echaudemaison

    Inner Chic | Olivier Echaudemaison

    Olivier Echaudemaison – Guerlain’s artistic director - is one of those utter originals. Albeit a legend in the makeup world – his first fashion shoot was with Suzy Parker and Richard Avedon...

  • Nadine de Rothschild

    Inner Chic | Nadine de Rothschild

    Whenever one of Nadine de Rothschild’s girlfriends ties the knot, she gives them one of the Three Wise Monkey bronze statues. “Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil” is very much her attitude to marriage...

  • Creel and Gow

    Inner Chic | Creel and Gow

    Starting with their Persimmon-coloured paper bags, Creel and Gow is a visual feast. The Manhattan boutique, which sells decorative accessories and gifts based on Mother Nature...

  • Laetitia Casta

    Inner Chic | Laetitia Casta

    Soirées in Paris can lead to the occasional memorable quip. And one of my all-time favourites is: “skin is the best accessory.” It was André Leon Talley who uttered this terrific line...