party lines

Simon Doonan Does Not Understand Why Americans Seem to Worship French People

There’s a reason why Barneys creative director Simon Doonan moved to New York instead of Paris when he left England, and, as he told us at a dinner for the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) Style Étoile Awards earlier this week. It’s mainly because he thinks French people are “horrible.” “I wrote a whole chapter in my book about it. I’m always amazed at how Americans had this masochistic, groveling attitude towards French people, that they always thought they were so much chicer. Because Americans are actually a lot more fun,” he said. “Think about Miami Beach — there’s no equivalent of that in France. Hello!” But what about the Riviera? “Oh, it’s all about sucking in your cheeks down there. French people are anti-fun. With the exception of Jean Paul Gaultier, who is totally fun.” View more in the Party Lines slideshow.

Simon Doonan Does Not Understand Why Americans Seem to Worship French People