Inès de la Freessange, the model that conquered Karl Lagerfeld and Chanel

  • By:karen-millen

16

06/2022

Su chic francés cautivó al mismísimo Karl Lagerfeld, que la convirtió en su musa. Inès de la Fressange fue la primera modelo en firmar un contrato exclusivo con Chanel. Hoy brinda su personalísimo estilo a Roger Vivier como embajadora.Inès de la Fressange, la modelo que conquistó a Karl Lagerfeld y a Chanel Inès de la Fressange, la modelo que conquistó a Karl Lagerfeld y a Chanel

On one occasion, the writer Milena Busquets was asked if she feared she was frowned as frivolous and she, who recognized having been educated "very bourgeois," replied: "Lightness is part of good education."The phrase of her goes to my memory while I transcribe this interview with Inès de la Freessange (Gassin, Var, France, August 11, 1957), which at her incredible 62 years continues to embody the quintessence of chic.But his lightness has nothing to do with frivolity, but with that mundane and carefree attitude of who, being an icon of fashion and belonging to the crème of Paris, behaves as if nothing weighs him.Elegant and nothing conventional, it is a mixture of charme and self -confidence.

Known as "La Maniquí who speaks" for not biting her tongue before macho prejudices at the beginning of her career, in the 80s it was the muse of creators such as Karl Lagerfeld, exclusive model of Chanel and incarnation of the new Marianne (symbol of the French Republic)To later become a designer, fashion consultant, style prescriber and ambassador of Roger Vivier, the luxury firm famous for his shoes with silver buckle that has come to promote Madrid.

Inès Marie Lætitia Églantine Isabelle de Seignard de la Freessange was born within an aristocratic family. Her father of her (André de Seignard, Marqués de la Freessnge) was a broker and her mother Argentina (Cecilia Sánchez Circez), Haute Couture Model. The paternal grandmother of her, Simone Jacquinot, heiress of Lazard's Banking Fortune, was a usual client of designs like Guy Laroche. Until 20 years, Inès lived with her three brothers in Moulin des Dames, a 18th century mansion 60 kilometers from Paris. In the middle of the field and surrounded by her friends from her parents. At age 17, while studying art history at the Louvre school, she appeared to a casting animated by her boyfriend. With a asparagus physicist (1.81 cm), jet hair, populated eyebrows and deep dark circles, she at first did not fit with the prototype of "Surfera blonde with teeth as piano keys". But her style conquered Lagerfeld and thanks to the German designer she was the first model to sign an exclusive contract with Chanel, in 1983. Her friendship with Kaiser continued until her death on February 19. "He hated hospitals and couldn't have lived diminished. He had to die like Molière on stage," she says in the Madrid hotel where the interview takes place. Between question and asks she gives her an electric cigarette of her. She wears a Sulka brand shirt that cost him 10 euros in a vintage market, Japanese hemp pants, a classic gentleman and some Roger Vivier sandals that give her the sophisticated counterpoint. The best complement to her, however, is her luminous smile. She pure lightness.

QUESTION.The model profession cannot be chosen: "They imposed it to me," she says.

RESPONSE.The vocation is not enough, they have to choose you.I speak a lot with young model candidates who dream of having an easy life.They believe that they will be admired by all, that they will receive gifts and travel to Paradisiac islands in private Jet, but it is not entirely true.I recommend that you choose a creative profession because it is more interesting and lasts more.Even if they work in a model agency, they will often have to get up at five in the morning for a photo shoot in Düsseldorf, instead of spending 10 days to the sun in San Bartolomé.

Q. I have read that he inherited his mother's photogeny ...

A. I feel disappointed, but I don't consider anything photogenic.I move and talk too much.One day I agreed with Claudia Schiffer at a film premiere and took many photos.I appeared in all turning left and right, putting morritos, while she went out with her little smile, divine!

Q. Your aristocratic pedigree opened doors?

Inès de la Fressange, la modelo que conquistó a Karl Lagerfeld y a Chanel

A. This question would have been impossible in France!You have king and we have not [laughs] for centuries.Now seriously ... when I started working as a model I only gave my first name, Inès.My mother had worked for the designer Guy Laroche and my grandmother was among her best clients, but the first time I went to see him I didn't tell her because she had my pride and wanted them to hire me for myself.In this work there are no plugs that are worth.In fact, I met many girls with much more prestigious names than mine and were not successful.

Q. What did Karl Lagerfeld see in you to turn it into your muse?

A. When we met I worked for Chloé and Fendi.One day I accompanied him to a trip through several cities in the United States to promote a perfume;In my suitcase I only wore my Little Black Dress [black cocktail dress] and many pearls and scarves, which looked a different appearance every night.In addition, I liked to dress wide pants and blouses, like Coco Chanel.The image of the brand had been outdated and he was looking for a woman to symbolize that style in the 80s. We must not forget that at that time the Maison did not work well.The new generations will seem incredible, but when I started working there, there was only one store at number 31 of Rue Cambon, the only one.

Q. The truth is that in the French fashion Olympus of the 80s were Inès de la Freessange and Loulou de la Falaise, Yves Saint Laurent's muse ...

R. Interestingly, both considered sophisticated parisins, and that we both came from the countryside and we had short and unpainted nails.[Laughs].

Q. Your tandem with Lagerfeld broke when you agreed to lend your image to a bust of Marianne, a symbol of the French Republic.This caused Chanel to cancel her contract in 1989.

A. Actually I broke the contract.I felt very flattered when the Marianne of the 80s designated me, relieving Brigitte Bardot and Catherine Deneuve.Thanks to this I became very popular in France and in Chanel they were delighted because they could sell more perfumes, but Karl my decision did not like anything.According to him, Marianne was the symbol of everything that is "boring, bourgeois and provincial."But I am not a grudding person, we recover friendship.

Q. In the "prêt-à-porter" spring-summer 2019 parade, already sick of cancer, the "kaiser" shake hands and did not release it.How has the loss of his mentor fit?

A. I am very believer, and for me death is not a catastrophe.He was a very brave person, with courage, and although he was sick he never talked about it.He hated hospitals and could not have lived prevented, because he was a very creative person.He had to die like Molière on stage.

Q. Those deep religious convictions made you live in a special way the fire that devastated Notre Dame?

A. It was a shock for everyone, believers or not, because faith does not need monuments.Apart from its religious meaning, Notre Dame is a testimony of the past.For many people this cathedral was a symbol of the unalterable, but the lesson after the accident is that nothing is eternal.

Q. Did you surprise you that the fashion industry, with François-Henri Pinault and Bernard Arnault at the head, turned to the reconstruction of the cathedral?

A. No, because fashion in general is very generous.In the 80s, the great firms were the first to help AIDS patients with galas and charity works, and in the 90s the victims of Rwanda's genocide.

Q. They came to define it as "the model that speaks."How strange was a mannequin freely express her opinions?

A. At that time there were many macho prejudices against the models.The idea was that they only ate lettuce, sucked ice cubes and were a bit silly.And that's why he surprised so much that someone expressed himself with a little wisdom.

Q. Does the "#Metoo" movement support or, on the contrary, share the claims of French intellectuals who in a public letter censored puritanism imposed from Hollywood?

A. Today there are still many countries where abuses against women are committed, then it is impossible not to be in favor of this cause.In France there are many women who are still mistreated, and that is why it is important to open the dialogue.I think that the French women who signed that manifesto are in favor of equality and against abuse, but sometimes you have to be a bit uncompromising to make themselves heard.

Q. Do you think the "fourth feminist wave" can end seduction between men and women?

A. The problem is that there are still women who are not even feminist, because they themselves set limits.In some countries they are considered lower and do not have the same rights as their husbands;This is unbearable, but we still cannot continue to maintain the image of a male and aggressive feminist.What defends feminism is equal rights between men and women.

Q. I find it wondering, but ... Have you suffered any sexual abuse throughout your career?

A. Yes, Karl Lagerfeld raped me.Exclusive![Release a laugh and celebrate the occurrence].

Q. Does French "chic"?

A. Today my chic doesn't interest anyone.But I think there are women who have grown with me and for them it is very comforting to see that I am still here.In fashion magazines women are barely represented.Almost none is over 30 years old, with the exception of policies such as Angela Merkel or Cristine Lagarde.It is a shame, that's why I feel so proud to work in fashion without Botox and without liftings.

Q. It is recognized when seen, but it is a difficult concept to define ...

A. It has to do with attitude, rather than with appearance.If you want to look rich you will never be chic.

Q. That is, it has nothing to do with money.

A. That is fashion justice.Today, one can be very elegant without spending much.That is why I am excited to work for Uniqlo [the Japanese Zara, a signature for which he has designed 14 collections].It is possible to make quality fashion, elegant and not too expensive.

Q. He commented that the main mistake that women make is excess (in makeup, in jewels, etc).And that of men?

A. Put short socks that show their legs when they are sitting [laughs].However, when a man is intelligent, cultured and has a sense of humor, you forget his clothes;With women this does not happen so much, and it seems a bit unfair.For my Los Parisian style manual [published in 2018 after the success of Parisine, which sold a million copies] I had my friend Yves Coppens, the French paleontologist who discovered Lucy [the famous African Australopithecus].He missed him to call him, because he was not interested in fashion.But he transmits his passion in such a way that he makes that an elegant person.I think it's a good lesson.

P. In 2015, after 16 years without selling under his name, he opened his store again at number 24 of Rue Grenelle.I think Brigitte Macron has not yet stepped on her boutique ...

R. Brigitte is an exceptional woman;The only mistake is that she still doesn't watch my clothes.

P. He has been as an ambassador of Roger Vivier for 17 years, a luxury firm known as "The Fabergé del Calzado".Her role of her is still "Payasa de la Court", as she said years ago?

A. It is very important that in a company there is a person who tells the truth even if it bothers.My role is a bit: being the court jester, saying things freely, like the choir in the Greek dramas.

Q. I recently read that "heels are the burka of Western women."What do you think about the flat shoe muse?

A. I have the impression that women wear Burka because her husband is ordered.And that, on the contrary, the heels are put because they want.Then the metaphor does not seem very successful.I also like heels, but one should never wear them to look taller, but because they combine well with her styling.And of course I am against prejudice according to which low women cannot wear flat shoe.

P. states that "women at 60 are experienced teenagers" ...

A. Have I said that?How funny I am!

Q. Is it true that you have never resorted to the Botox?

A. At the moment I prefer not to use it, because I don't want to look like a cat.I prefer to be an old Golden Retriever!

Q. Has become more conservative or more eccentric with age?

A. I don't like conventions, but traditions.And luxury is related to tradition.I like the Savoir Faire of the artisans who work with their hands to create new things.Bourgeois conventions bore me, because they work apart from creativity.I am not revolutionary, but I am always in favor of the new.

Q. It has 62 and appears 40. Men of genetics?

A. Genetics can help, but the important thing is to lead a healthy lifestyle: recently squeezed juices in the morning, more vegetables, less meat ... Many people keep eating when you are not hungry, just for anxiety.Or it is seeing Netflix to the many although the next day I have to get up early, without having slept enough.I don't like sport, but I walk whenever I can instead take the car.

Q. After sending her first husband, Luigi D'Arso, had to move her two daughters, Nine and Violette (25 and 19 years old).Is it easy to live with two "centennials" (generation of those born between 1994 and 2010 that is characterized by irreverence and immediacy)?

A. My daughters are very educated, affectionate, intelligent and cultivated.Wait, that now you are going to pass out [he teaches me photos of both through the mobile phone screen].What is easy to live with them?I thank God every day![The Major, Nine, Childhood of Carolina de Monaco, studied theater and collaborated with the fashion firm Bottega Veneta].

Q. What is your greatest satisfaction as a godmother of the NGO Mecénat Chirurgie Cardiaque Enfant du Monde?

A. It is an association dedicated to supporting children with cardiac malformations and without resources so that they can be operated in France.Before taking the flight for Madrid, I sold breakfast in the Plaza de Paris to raise funds.After each event we can operate two, four or 10 children.If notoriety can help disadvantaged people, welcome.

Q. What would you like to be older?

A. I just hope to be a happy grandmother and give my grandchildren whims.The important thing is that they love me, even if it is wrinkled like a dry apple.

Roger Vivier ambassador

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Inès de la Freessange, the model that conquered Karl Lagerfeld and Chanel
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