A Q + A with Inès de la Fressange

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Since I first started my blog over a decade ago, I have been lucky to walk through some surprising doors. I’ve met fascinating people, visited amazing homes and generally been privileged to exchange with some of the names that make France so very special.

For My French Country Home Magazine‘s fall issue – Sep/Oct 21 – “Femme d’Affaires” feature, I was thrilled to interview fashion icon Inès de la Fressange, who has cultivated a long and varied career – first as a successful model, then as the head of her own fashion label. Read an excerpt on myfrenchcountryhomemagazine.com!

She graciously welcomed me to her home to chat with her and at the end of the proper interview for the magazine I gave her a little rapid-fire Q+A! Have a look below.

What should a woman pack when they’re visiting Paris?

For me, less is more… A pair of dark wash Levi’s. A black turtle-neck jumper. A pair of loafers, à la Katharine Hepburn.

The perfect hostess gift?

A scented candle. Not cut flowers… because this means you have to go and search for a vase, fill it with water. 

Your perfect summer’s day?

Walking through Paris. It’s a town where you can discover on foot and get lost in.

Lunch with a girlfriend?

If it’s cold, the Le Salon du Panthéon is a nice and cozy place (decorated by Catherine Deneuve). In summer, I love les Jardins du Musée Rodin or les Jardins du Palais Royal. Both of these bring out my “country girl” side – I love being around nature.

A weekend in Paris or the countryside?

Paris has everything you need. It’s several villages in one city! Saint Germain is nothing like the Marais. And then there are places that even Parisians don’t know very well, like Butte aux Cailles in the 13th arrondissement, which really is a village. The same goes for Montmartre… there are lots of streets where there’s no one! I love being a tourist in my own town.

You have an airplane ticket with no destination: where do you go?

Delhi. Unlike the English, French people are slightly wary of India, but I try to go as often as possible. The more I know it, the more I miss it. Last year I was in Jaipur for Holi festival and it was amazing. The smells, the palaces… there are so many surprises and contrasts. 

Your most used item of clothing? 

A navy sweater. When I don’t feel great, I throw one on and instantly feel better.

The book currently on your bedside table?

I’m halfway through Ikigai: The Japanese secret to a long and happy life, which is fascinating. And the other is Anna Karenina. I read it 15 years ago, tried again four years ago! This time, I’ll succeed in finishing it.

Any new projects in the pipeline?

Fashion is unending; I’m always working on the next collection! For Uniqlo as well as my own line, and then there’s a new book with Flammarion. But, honestly, I’m mostly looking forward to being on holiday! 

For our full interview with Inès, get a copy of MFCH Mag‘s Sep/Oct 21 issue today!