IWTBAA Love Note: The French Femme
IWTBAA Love Note: The French Femme
By Bernie Rothschild
What comes to mind when thinking of French women is glamorous, sharp, alluring, and chic. The French femme, in particular la femme parisienne, has this impeccable style that is divine and immaculate. In fact, the French make everything so chic, even things that may be a bit irreverent… Take, for example, prostitution. One of the images that sticks in my mind is the editorial "Nocturne Parisien" that Emmanuelle Alt styled for Vogue Paris in August 2006 starring Eva Herzigova. Photographed by Mario Sorrenti while she roams around looking sensual in the streets of Paris, this reminded me of prostitute chic. Then Marc Jacobs glamorized prostitution in one of his last collections for Louis Vuitton. And of course who could forget Catherine Deneuve's iconic portrayal of a prostitute in Belle de jour dressed in Yves Saint Laurent. Prostitution is wrong in every way but the French make it look so chic.
Let's also remember that it was the French who made infidelity fashionable for a time, think about the 18th century maîtresse-en-titre at the court of Versailles. Infidelity was acceptable among this decadent court, the mistresses had their etiquette and titles, some were even given power by the king. The greatest example of this is Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson, historically known as Madame de Pompadour, the notable mistress of Louis XV. Madame de Pompadour's "service" was not just useful for pleasure, she wielded influence which extended to art and political power in the king's court during the rise of the Enlightenment. Madame de Pompadour was involved in matters of diplomacy between France and its worst enemy, Austria, which made possible the marriage of the Austrian Marie Antoinette to Louis XVI.
Known for her exquisite taste for rococo style, Madame de Pompadour oversaw and planned the construction of the Palais de la Concorde and the Petit Trianon in the garden of Versailles that was built after her death. The Trianon was occupied by Madame du Barry, the last maîtresse-en-titre of Louis XV, and then was given to Marie Antoinette by Louis XVI when he acceded to the throne. (Take note that the Trianon was intended for the mistresses of the king and Marie Antoinette was claimed to be the first queen consort who can be a wife and mistress to the king.) Madame de Pompadour was also the patron of many artists and intellectuals of her time such as Voltaire. The king even gave her the Palais de L'Élysées, one of the most beautiful palaces in the world, as her residence. Madame de Pompadour was a notable women of such intelligence and great style that she become the unofficial Reine de France, the power behind the throne. Vive les femmes françaises !
