8 years ago by
I have a giant, a great, a super mega crush on Aymeline Valade. And, since I’m the loyal type, this has been going on for a long time. We met her during a Pardon My French shoot — and we all fell under the charm of this tall, beautiful girl with a husky voice. She’s a skater and model, and she’s super smart, adorable, and chill.
It’s been really cool to see her evolve — she’s an actress now and her career has really blossomed, along with her style.
She expresses exactly who she is in the way she dresses, which I really love. We both have a taste for simple things that aren’t too chichi, but she is much more daring and really comfortable breaking the rules and being totally herself, which I assure you isn’t so easy these days when everyone’s trying to shine brighter than the next. She stays herself in all circumstances, even on the red carpet, which, I can tell you after having done a few, is a real challenge. Because of all that, she’s on all my mood boards :)
It’s hard to talk about her without talking about her blonde hair, which I think suits her divinely and adds a very interesting, finished look to all her outfits.
It’s proof of the advantage a good haircut or strong color can give you — it carries your personality through into any outfit…
Translated by Andrea Perdue
Describe your style in three words.
Easy-going. Classic. Modern
And your most beloved item right now?
My little black Prada bag…
How has your career as a model influenced your style?
Modeling has made me incorporate more feminine pieces and wear make-up. But I only do so for special occasions.
You make bold style choices, like wearing flats on the red carpet. Where does that confidence come from?
Thank you! My boldness comes from my need to be comfortable. Heels are too lady-like for me, and I actually don’t have the boldness to assume complete femininity. it’s true that my choices can look a bit unconventional, but they stick to my personality. I’m not looking for the trend, but instead I look for what suits me the best – from shape to spirit. I like to wear what no one is wearing. So yes, maybe I end up looking bold but it’s more due to a mentality of anti-conformity.
Are there any styling tricks you’ve learned on the job that you use in real life?
Haider Ackermann taught me to use a hair band to hold long sleeves exactly where you want them. You don’t have to fold so many times and it doesn’t look messy.
You travel a lot. What are the essentials that you always take with you?
All the products for my bleached hair, my Fresh Soya facial soap and sugar mask. And a Pallas tuxedo… you just never know…
Do you wear a lot of jewelry?
I do. I bring pieces back from traveling, so they have a lot of significance to me. They are like talisman, and when I look at them, they bring me back to places and times during my travels.
Would you describe your style as quintessentially French?
It’s true that my style is very French, as I do not wear very eccentric clothes. I near wear more than three colors in my look without being too feminine, but I try to bring a touch of elegance and cool at the same time. The infamous French-chic-effortlessness is what I live by, but I hope to do it in my own way.
Where do you like to shop?
I actually do not like to shop since it reminds me of work. I also have to say I’m quite lucky to be gifted from brands so I generally look for basics in COS or & Other Stories. But I would advise to always go visit Céline, Prada, or Chloé during the sales.
Do you have a fashion muse?
Haider Ackermann and The Row. They make the best quality clothes with such a cool and elegant style. They inspire me a lot by the way they mix fabrics, silhouettes and colors. Their designs resonate with me, and they represent the woman I want to be.
Look 1: suit, made in collaboration with Pallas Paris; top, The Row; shoes, Church’s; watch, Boucheron; earring, Swarovski / Look 2: top and pant, The Row; sandals, Chloé; necklace, VK Lillie / Look 3: necklace, hand-crafted from Africa; silver rings and earrings, Dior; skirt, sweater and sandals, The Row / Look 4: jacket, Studio 189; t-shirt, Alexander Wang; jeans, Rag and Bone; sandals, Chloé; bag, Loewe; earring, Dior.
Text: Garance Doré | Photos: Erik Melvin | Styling: Brie Welch & Aymeline Valade
With thanks to The Mark Hotel | 25 E 77th St, New York, NY 10075 | +1(212) 744-4300
Je trouve ce reportage et ce portrait très “frais”. Il se dégage une sensation de bien être et authenticité de ces photos !
Amélie
http://charlesrayandcoco.com
C’est fou parce que j’ai commencé à m’intéresser à son univers il y’a quelques temps et je me suis dit (sans avoir vu le Pardon My French) que ça ferait une super belle rencontre le monde Valade + le monde Doré :))
And obviously i wasn’t wrong :)
Belle interview, belles images… merci Garance!
Wow! What a strong face, and strong (yet so simple) look. I’m not easily struck by appearances, but here something got to me! Beautiful article, GD-team!
Ah, c’est bien de mettre qui a fait quoi dans l’histoire !
Bon alors, les cheveux blonds d’Aymeline… J’avoue que je n’accroche pas, il reste un truc artificiel, ou quelque chose de trop pâle. Un changement de nuance, toujours en blond, pourrait coller mieux avec la peau.
J’ai peut-être mauvais goût, j’en sais rien.
Mais toi, t’as bien changé plusieurs fois de nuance avant de trouver la bonne.
J’adore cette fille! Elle dégage un truc élégant et décontracté à la fois, Elle a l’air d’être très sure d’elle, un peu comme un grand chat (pardon, mais j’adore les félins, et dès que je peux je trouve des liens ;-) )
We have to admit that all clothes looks better when you have long legs and a xs size …..and this is the only time i love to see a white costume..because when you move to l and xl it just doesn’t look the same…
xoxo
Yael Guetta
http://www.ftwwl.com
I couldn’t agree more! She is dead gorgeous though…
Great style! Although she seems to me more Scandinavian then French in her style of dressing.
Lovely article.
Colleen
http://www.blushandbeyond.com/skincare/pumpkin-as-a-skin-care-ingredient/
She is the representative of modern sassy women! From the haircut, to the outfits, once you see her, you immediately recognise who she is. Be authentic, be true and be persistence to perfect.
http://www.swingsnowman.wordpress.com
Proof positive that style and substance always trumps ‘fashion.’ I love this. Thank you.
love her effortless minimal style
Ray-Ban Giveaway on my blog!
http://hashtagliz.com
Ces photos sont superbes et quel style!!!
J’adore comment elle s’habille, c’est simple, élégant, féminin et chic en même temps!
Belle soirée
Petite and So What
elle aussi la chance d’être super grande (cf les talons plats). Sorte d’Ines de la Fressange blonde, quoi :-)
love it <3
Elle est juste parfaite.
Le jour où je pourrais me permettre de porter un pantalon blanc sans prendre instantanément 10kg et un blazer blanc sans avoir l’air d’un médecin n’est pas encore arrivé malheureusement :-)
http://www.skandinav.fr
I visit your website daily and I really enjoyed this one! The styling and the clothes are beautiful and made me want to SHOP! I want everything in this post! But also inspiring to see what I already have in my closet to put together like this! LOVE IT!! :)
N’aurait-elle pas été mannequin pour Margaux Lonnberg ? :)
come to visit my blog! http://youngwild-c.blogspot.fr/ :)
Elle est tellement plus wahou en blonde et son style s’est affirmé. Elle est superbe !
http://www.mode9.fr
I love this post! This is the way I am organizing my closet right now – modern, classic, French effortlessness, but in the way it fits and suits me.
Thanks for the inspiration! That white suit is amazing!
Garance, I think I’m joining you on your girl crush!! Aymeline is truly inspiring. I agree with you that it’s her person, and the hair which fits her so well (bring her face to the forefront), that bring an edge and style to the clothes. The outfit are simple enough to let her shine, like the stem of a flower, there to highlight not compete with the rose. I love that she is secure enough to put her needs first and not try to conform to a standard, her boldness comes from that and not from an attempt to be bold.
A lot of inspiration, beautiful lady, thanks. Does somebody know who makes the boots in the second to last picture?
Ava
Belle histoire, une femme super cool et admirable.
http://lifeandcity.tumblr.com
I’ve seen her on the streets in Paris, yes, she is very tall and has a striking face but when it comes to her style, she rather looks the average bobo parisian.
J’adore son style, vraiment très simple mais travaillé!
L.A
Tellement contente pour toi, tu as fait ton bonhomme de chemin et franchement bravo pour ce beau parcours…
Tu dégages la simplicité la fraîcheur aucun changement depuis notre enfance…
Continue comme ça…
Style masculin/feminin, lignes pures, couleurs classiques. J’aime beaucoup.
Aymeline a la chance d’etre grande et mince, ce qui ne gache rien !
Love her style !!
Yes, and you forgot to add that she has a killer body and being that tall allows her to wear flats and still look so sleek!
Excellent! I love reading about styling- I think that’s the area that most interests me in the fashion world. Seeing why people pick something and what it means to them, this really resonates with me.
Hi! Your blog is absolutely amazing! I have been foloowing it for a long time, and it is the only blog Worth checking daily, in my opinion. Cannot wait to receive the book too!
I have a question: is the Dior Double finger ring from a current collection? I can’t seem to find it anywhere. I would greatly appreciate an answer!
simple but awesome!!
Super interview et Aymeline a l’air d’être une personne très humble et sympa! Ca fait plaisir!
Et puis ce petit Prada… au top!
Bizous, Christelle
http://www.lipleblog.com
She looks amazing, but her style has mostly to do with the fact that she can pull off flats and oversized clothes (being tall and very slim helps here).
Effectivement il y a vraiment quelque chose chez Aymeline… comme si une méga force intérieure était bien camouflé dans une enveloppe de coton très douce! C’est très étonnant!
Comme toujours j’aime beaucoup les photos, le ton et le sujet de tes articles Garance !
Belle journée !
She is amazing! Love her attitude!
http://thegaragestarlets.com
Une des meilleures style stories ! Cette fille est sublime, aussi bien en brune qu’en blonde, et j’adoooore son style !
http://www.pardonmyobsession.com/
C’est vrai qu’elle a un style de dingue. J’adore.
Romina | http://www.blaastyle.com
hello Garance! je ne sais pas pourqu oi mais cela fais un moment que je ne suis pas venue sur ton blog et ça m’avait manqué!
Adore the blonde, softens in such a polished way and adds sophistication to her bone structure, not as harsh as when darker, adds just elegance. And her clothing has adapted and grown with her, a nicely balanced maturity, in these images. Nice story.
Me encanta su estilo! simple, pero con detalles que me encantan.
y ella es realmente linda!.
y me encanta tu blog Garance!, una inspiración.
saludos! (desde Chile)
Paz
Wow this is amazing! I loved every shot!
silvergirl.org
J’aime beaucoup son style minimaliste et cependant très inspiré !
Christine
L_O_V_E_ I´m so into her….fashion wise… She has that special something like Daria Werbowy.
Great post, pictures and hairdo! best chignon!
Super style story! Jaime beaucoup son style, c’est le genre de fille avec qui on aimerait être amie! Elle est très belle en brune aussi. En blonde je trouve qu’elle a un petit air de Vanessa Paradis.
Aurelie | http://www.surface85.com
I’m so with the blue shirt and pants pajamas-style outfit, she looks so effortlessly stylish in it. Also one thing to take away from this — the tip to use a hair band to hold long sleeves. Definitely trying that!
Erik, you are definitely the best photographer ever !
Every single photo is stunning, has a soul, softness, details, right on point
I am the most fervent admirer !
And you are definitely the SWEETEST person ever! … Thank you so much, I really appreciate it!! :)
Sublime!
I love her style, and have seen her in other photos. Such laid back beauty. Nice post!
http://www.pippiehepburn.etsy.com
She has beautiful face indeed! I actually googled her and found her really beautiful with dark hair. Also she is beautiful woman, she would look gorgeous in more feminine style.