In today’s time when the fashion fanatics couldn’t get enough from ogling & drooling over Carrie Bradshaw’s wardrobe from Sex and the City, creator Darren Star released yet another a la mode version of the century with Emily in Paris on Netflix, paying homage to the most desired character of the ’00s HBO show. With actress Lily J Collins as Emily, an all American woman who moves to Paris for a job opportunity in a French luxury marketing company as a social media strategist, Emily’s wit and charm mesmerizes men while her inept command over the French language creates cultural differences in her workplace and for us the audience her sartorial elegance led us to worship her. The costume designer for this show was Marylin Fitoussi, and even included a costume consultant, the one and only Patricia Field.
For me, ‘Emily in Paris’ in certain ways was an elongated version of Carrie in ‘Sex and the City,’” said the legendary Costume Designer Patricia Field the face behind the iconic looks from Sex and the City, Oscar-nominated Devil Wears Prada now Emily in Paris which is already making a buzz among the fashion fiends as Field gussied-up Emily in French luxury pieces, Chanel & Dior, to fashion-forward retailers Farfetch & Net-A-Porter.
The first episode unfolds as Emily walks into her Paris office wearing an Eiffel Tower printed button-down paired with a snake-skin leather mini skirt and a Paris inscribed Louboutin heels, much of a street-style look at any fashion show rather than at a marketing company. As her co-workers scrunch up their nose in disapproval and her lady boss Sylvie gives her a lesson or two on ‘French-girl’ sophistication, the viewers get a look at her over-the-top style, bright hues (shades of pink & green in particular), well-executed outfits (pairing letter & animal print together, donning one jacket on top of another, layering tons of different fabrics together) with an overly fancy handbag or cross-body and her bold tinted lips won her the likes and of course the Off-white floral puffer jacket which has our hearts.
As she settles in, Emily’s wardrobe hinted the likes of any French fashion girl from Beret to Plaids & overcoat to pearl handbags & hoops to a knotted scarf at the neck (French style!) with each ensemble nodding to the likes of 2020 fashion runways pieces- Bucket hat & bag! Check, Tabi boots! Check, Houndstooth! Check, Co-ords! Check, Blazer-dress! Check, Turtleneck! Check, Socks and Heels! Check, Statement Jackets! Check, Dr. Martens! Check and a lot of Checks! Check, leaving the audience spellbound and fashion influencers to recreate looks. While we are on this topic, let’s not outlook the most iconic Carrie Bradshaw white tulle skirt ‘tutu’ look emulated in the show’s second episode as Emily dons a black tulle skirt and a tube top paired with effortless makeup and hair pinned back loosely- a classic.
For a night in the opera, Emily wears a stunning off-shoulder chevron-sheer black midi gown paired with evening gloves, a vintage jeweled bag, embellished pumps and a delicate neckpiece as a hair accessory. This was a nod to Audrey Hepburn’s portrayal in the movie Funny Face.
Field made sure to bring back the ’00s trends quite literally by adding few elements of that decade from the choker to asymmetrical hem and navy-inspired jacket to metallic tinted ensembles and wide-belts for our benefit.
Emily’s closet is an extreme explosion of colors, prints, fabrics, trends and classics, each look adorned by her is a runway brought-down and oh-so coveted, turning heads on the go (twice!).
Darren Star, Marylin Fitoussi, and Patricia Field pulled in yet another fashion-charged watch, an enthralling of oohs and aahs with each episode and a lot of Chanel and Eiffel Tower in the background. Finally a breath of fresh and exciting air in 2020.
