My New Style Icon Is a 65-Year-Old French Actress
Age is but a number, however, we can't say we know many 65-year-old women who are down with wearing velvet minidresses with tights and platforms or mismatched earrings with sheer dresses on a night out. In fact, we don't know many 30-year-olds who would always feel confident to do as such. But that's where Isabelle Huppert—the award-winning French actress and our current obsession—breaks the mould.
Naturellement, there's a lot to be said for being French. If you're lucky enough to be one a Gallic woman—where a certain insouciance and effortlessness carries you through a lifetime of outfits and photo opps—many pieces, trends and styling ideas are but a doddle. We've seen it with Jane Birkin (still influencing our wardrobes at the age of 70) and Vanessa Paradis (we can't pull off half the things this 44-year-old chooses, even on a regular day).
We first penned to piece to celebrate Madame Huppert's stellar run of award season looks in 2017 (hands down, she was the best dressed at the BAFTAs), but since then, we've noticed her at countless movie premieres and fashion week events—with brands such as Chloé, Louis Vuitton and Calvin Klein all courting her. "What I like about Isabelle is that she's a fashionista, she knows the brands and designers," her stylist Jonathan Huguet tells The Hollywood Reporter. "She's completely open to different things, like more underground designers. She's happy to try different shapes, fabrics, designers."
So before we shift into our full-on fan-girl mode, have a look through Isabelle Huppert's best style moments, and see what lessons you can incorporate into your own closet.
Style Notes: Yes, I want to wear a double-denim Calvin Klein look just like Isabelle. Yes, I'd like to layer two jackets. Yes, I want a baby blue roll-neck. This looks has everything.
Style Notes: Looking incredible in Cannes with a fringed tuxedo dress by Antony Vacarello for Saint Laurent.
Style Notes: At this week's Louis Vuitton Cruise show wearing the little LBD we'd like for our next party night…
Style Notes: Could this outfit be any cooler? From the brown flares to the velvet jacket, Isabelle nods to the '70s without becoming a victim to the era.
Style Notes: Clearly we need to invest in more dark-wash denim. Isabelle's Dior show look takes all of the French classics (pea coat, Breton, courts) and flips them on their head.
Style Notes: It's a little bit Gwyneth Paltrow in Sliding Doors, and that's something we really like right now.
Related: The Over-40 Women We Continually Turn to for Style Advice
Style Notes: Rediscovering this shot of Isabelle in Dior's feminist collection for last year's Met Gala has made us want to wear a beret again.
Style Notes: Another day, another fantastic suit from Huppert. Proving the power of tonal dressing when you're petite, this will make anyone on the short side look taller.
Style Notes: Huppert styles this Dior dress to perfection by playing up to its coquettish attitude. We'll definitely be stealing the sheer tights-and-platforms sandal combination for a night out soon.
Style Notes: Huppert's chic Armani Privé gown at the Oscars confirmed that trying too hard is rarely the better option. As her stylist, Jonathan Huguet explained to Vogue.com: "When I'm dressing Isabelle for an awards show, I try to play both games—the French and American … French women tend to not be as done up with the hair and makeup and over-the-top gowns like many American actresses. It's less complicated in a way."
Style Notes: Whilst we've been busy buying heritage-check blazers in bulk, we totally missed just how excellent a pair of trousers could be. Huppert skips the traditional suit and opts for mismatched separates from Chloé, scooping up the Best Actress award at the Spirit Awards on her way.
Style Notes: Think there isn't a grown-up way to do peekaboo? We beg to differ. Isabelle's monochromatic ensemble (another Armani Privé creation) proves it. The semi-opaque chiffon rendered in a very demure shape really is alluring. As Jonathan says on his Instagram in regards to this look, "She's the queen."
Style Notes: FROW-ing at Chloé wouldn't be complete with the brand's signature blush pink in at least one part of any given outfit. Isabelle's pitch-perfect combination of smart and casual will make you rethink your weekend wardrobe.
Style Notes: Another day, another PFW appearance. This time, Isabelle sticks to the number one rule of wearing head-to-toe black: Texture, texture and more texture. Also, props on the mismatched earrings and aviator sunglasses—they exude confidence. All credited to Louis Vuitton, of course.
Related: "Dressing Your Age" Is Complete Nonsense—and These Women Prove It
Style Notes: Alors, our favourite look of the entire BAFTA red carpet. Isabelle's 1970s-inspired gown was so simple but so effective. And so very Chloé: Effortless.
Style Notes: If we led a more charmed lifestyle, we'd honestly wear white suits day in and day out. However, like Huppert showcases, they make for a particularly wonderful going-out ensemble. The simplicity of this look—no top, no jewellery and barely there makeup—makes it come to life.
Style Notes: Because you don't always have to wear your matching tailored pieces together, Isabelle mixes things up with this black-and-white combination. A flash of lace makes it all the more after-dark appropriate. And she clearly knows which trouser shape suits her the most—a slight wide-leg cut is universally flattering and timeless.
Style Notes: Well, why not wear a vibrant Gucci creation if everyone else is? The delicate shape of this perfectly matches Isabelle's slight frame, and we adore how Jonathan's picked out subtle colours in the frock to select her shoes and clutch. "She likes to be comfortable in her dress; it can't be too stiff. I never choose thick or tight fabrics—always soft silhouettes and textures," he tells Vogue.com.
Style Notes: Adhering to the aforementioned head-to-toe black rule, Isabelle adds a little extra pizzazz to this look with sky-high Christian Louboutins and a Chanel chain-link belt.
Next, see the 35 French fashion brands every girl should know by heart.
Hannah Almassi is the Editor in Chief of Who What Wear UK. Hannah has been part of the the Who What Wear brand since 2015, when she was headhunted to launch the UK sister site and social channels, implement a localised content strategy and build out the editorial team. She joined following a seven-year tenure at Grazia magazine, where she led front-of-book news, fashion features and shopping specials as fashion news and features editor. With experience in both print and digital across fashion and beauty, Hannah has over 16 years in the field as a journalist, editor, content strategist and brand consultant. Hannah has interviewed industry heavyweights such as designers including Marc Jacobs and Jonathan Anderson through to arbiters of taste including Katie Grand and Anna Dello Russo. A skilled moderator and lecturer specialising in the shift to digital media and e-commerce, Hannah’s opinion and work has been sought by the likes of CNBC, BBC, The Sunday Times Style, The Times, The Telegraph and MatchesFashion.com, among many others. Hannah is often called upon for her take on trends, becoming known as a person with their finger of the pulse of what’s happening in the fashion space for stylish Brits. Hannah currently resides in Eastbourne with her photographer husband, incredibly busy son and highly Instagrammable cat.
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