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Betty Catroux The YSL muse has always been a paragon of menswear chic.
Photo: Mary Russell/Corbis
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Anna Karina Godard's wife and muse was born in Denmark, but her gamine style is 100% French.
Photo: Keystone-France/Getty Images
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Charlotte Gainsbourg When you're the daughter of Jane Birkin, the style stakes are high. Good thing the singer-actress has Nicolas Ghesquiè... more
Charlotte Gainsbourg When you're the daughter of Jane Birkin, the style stakes are high. Good thing the singer-actress has Nicolas Ghesquière in her corner: She's been one of the biggest red-carpet proponents of his Louis Vuitton debut collection. Photo: Rindoff Petroff/Durand/Getty Images
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Jeanne Moreau Antonioni, Truffaut, and Buñuel all fell under her spell, and it's easy to see why. Photo: Keystone-France/Getty Images
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Jeanne Lanvin The founder of the house of Lanvin may not be the household name that Coco Chanel is, but she was just as much of an influence on F... more
Jeanne Lanvin The founder of the house of Lanvin may not be the household name that Coco Chanel is, but she was just as much of an influence on French fashion.
Photo: Lipnitzki/Roger Viollet/Getty Images
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Aymeline Valade Her scruffy, model-off-duty looks are the stuff Tommy Ton's dreams are made of, but she also can pull off more formal looks, as s... more
Aymeline Valade Her scruffy, model-off-duty looks are the stuff Tommy Ton's dreams are made of, but she also can pull off more formal looks, as seen here. Photo: John Edouard Anderson/Corbis
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Claudine Longet The chanteuse's vocal register may have been barely above a whisper, but she made plenty of bold style statements.
Photo: Michae... more
Claudine Longet The chanteuse's vocal register may have been barely above a whisper, but she made plenty of bold style statements.
Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
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Sonia Rykiel Known for her playful designs, Rykiel isn't afaid to try a daring, epaulet-centric look. Her daughter Lola is carrying on the family... more
Sonia Rykiel Known for her playful designs, Rykiel isn't afaid to try a daring, epaulet-centric look. Her daughter Lola is carrying on the family tradition of style.
Photo: Rose Hartman/Getty Images
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Rachida Dati You might mistake her for a Vogue Paris editor, but European Parliament member Dati is simply the chicest politician around.
Photo:... more
Rachida Dati You might mistake her for a Vogue Paris editor, but European Parliament member Dati is simply the chicest politician around.
Photo: JOSEPH EID/Getty Images
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Eva Green The actress favors dramatic gowns from Tom Ford and Elie Saab.
Photo: Sean Gallup/Getty Images
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Niki de Saint Phalle The late artist was known for her outré sculptures (and often, matching outfits). Photo: Keystone-France/Getty Images
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Zouzou "La twisteuse ," as Paris Match christened her, was an emblem of liberated '60s style.
Photo: Keystone-France/Getty Images
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Élodie Bouchez A tossed-on denim jacket matched up with a red 2.55 bag? Bouchez has mastered the art of trying-just-hard-enough casua... more
Élodie Bouchez A tossed-on denim jacket matched up with a red 2.55 bag? Bouchez has mastered the art of trying-just-hard-enough casual.
Photo: Francois Durand/Getty Images
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Maria Schneider With her affinity for Bob Dylan T's and crisp suiting, Schneider had the borrowed-from-les-garçons look down pat. Photo: ... more
Maria Schneider With her affinity for Bob Dylan T's and crisp suiting, Schneider had the borrowed-from-les-garçons look down pat. Photo: RALPH GATTI/Getty Images
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Isabelle Adjani The dreamy video for her Serge Gainsbourg-penned single "Pull Marine," inspired a collection by hip French label Jacque... more
Isabelle Adjani The dreamy video for her Serge Gainsbourg-penned single "Pull Marine," inspired a collection by hip French label Jacquemus, proof that Adjani's '80s-era style is still completely relevant.
Photo: Ron Galella/Getty Images
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Romy Schneider From sweeping caftans to artfully titled chapeaux, her style is the stuff mood boards are made of.
Photo: Gamma/Getty Images
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Sylvie Vartan The pop star isn't as well known stateside as many of her yé-yé peers, but she and husband Johnny Hallyday were once ... more
Sylvie Vartan The pop star isn't as well known stateside as many of her yé-yé peers, but she and husband Johnny Hallyday were once the "it" musician couple, and her ultra-girlie outfits made plenty of waves. Photo: Gianni Ferrari/Getty Images
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Marine Vacth The former model is starring in indie drama Jeune et Jolie , and she's definitely both of those things. She's also got a lock on tomb... more
Marine Vacth The former model is starring in indie drama Jeune et Jolie , and she's definitely both of those things. She's also got a lock on tomboyish allure.
Photo: Dominique Charriau/Getty Images
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Emmanuelle Riva Riva looked just as fabulous at last year's Oscars in Lanvin as she does in this vintage photo. Photo: Gamma/Getty Images
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Béatrice
Dalle The gap-toothed beauty made her mark in Betty Blue , and while her slightly louche dressing (animal prints, bustiers) migh... more
Béatrice
Dalle The gap-toothed beauty made her mark in Betty Blue , and while her slightly louche dressing (animal prints, bustiers) might not be typically French, it's utterly distinctive.
Photo: BERTRAND RINDOFF PETROFF / ANGELI/Getty Images
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Joséphine de la Baume Scan a French fashion show's front row and you're likely to see the bohemian de la Baume somewhere in the mix. ... more
Joséphine de la Baume Scan a French fashion show's front row and you're likely to see the bohemian de la Baume somewhere in the mix. Photo: Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho/Getty Images
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Ludivine Sagnier Red-carpet risks? Saignier takes them regularly, often opting for bright colors and unusual shapes. Photo: Venturelli/Getty Images
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Julie Delpy The triple threat (actress, screenwriter, and director) somehow looks both chic and comfortable, which isn't easy to do on a step-and... more
Julie Delpy The triple threat (actress, screenwriter, and director) somehow looks both chic and comfortable, which isn't easy to do on a step-and-repeat. Photo: BFA
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Audrey Marnay The model bears some resemblance to her fellow Audrey (that would be Hepburn), but has a much more flamboyant aesthetic.
Photo: Da... more
Audrey Marnay The model bears some resemblance to her fellow Audrey (that would be Hepburn), but has a much more flamboyant aesthetic.
Photo: Danny Martindale/Getty Images
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Charlotte Casiraghi Grace Kelly's granddaughter manages to look just as enviably fashionable in her jodphurs (she's an avid equestrian) as she do... more
Charlotte Casiraghi Grace Kelly's granddaughter manages to look just as enviably fashionable in her jodphurs (she's an avid equestrian) as she does in a gown.
Photo: Dominique Charriau/Getty Images
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Virginie Ledoyen An ingenue in the gamine, Hepburnian mold, Ledoyen doesn't favor showy dressing, but her simple LBDs and classic accessories mak... more
Virginie Ledoyen An ingenue in the gamine, Hepburnian mold, Ledoyen doesn't favor showy dressing, but her simple LBDs and classic accessories make her worthy of inclusion.
Photo: Venturelli/Getty Images
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Anh Duong French-born Duong transitioned from modeling for YSL and Lacroix to becoming a painter whose arty wardrobe perfectly complements her ca... more
Anh Duong French-born Duong transitioned from modeling for YSL and Lacroix to becoming a painter whose arty wardrobe perfectly complements her canvases.
Photo: Ben Gabbe/Getty Images
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Leslie Caron While playing iconic roles in Gigi and An American in Paris, Caron honed a '50s, ultrafeminine signature style. Photo: Archive Phot... more
Leslie Caron While playing iconic roles in Gigi and An American in Paris, Caron honed a '50s, ultrafeminine signature style. Photo: Archive Photos/Getty Images
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Vanessa Seward After relauching Azzaro to great acclaim, the designer now consults for A.P.C. Appropriate, given her mastery of the bon-chic-bon-... more
Vanessa Seward After relauching Azzaro to great acclaim, the designer now consults for A.P.C. Appropriate, given her mastery of the bon-chic-bon-genre edict.
Photo: Petroff/Dufour/Getty Images
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Mélanie Laurent Whether it's a crisp trench or a Big Bird-esque feather gown, Laurent pulls it off with panache. Photo: David M. Ben... more
Mélanie Laurent Whether it's a crisp trench or a Big Bird-esque feather gown, Laurent pulls it off with panache. Photo: David M. Benett/Getty Images
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Audrey Pulvar Pulvar, a well-known TV personality, made headlines when she spent 12,000 euros on her glasses. She refused to apologize, and why s... more
Audrey Pulvar Pulvar, a well-known TV personality, made headlines when she spent 12,000 euros on her glasses. She refused to apologize, and why should she? She looks great. Photo: MIGUEL MEDINA/Getty Images
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Agnès Troublé The agnès b. designer exudes rock and roll, even in minimalist black. Photo: Foc Kan/Getty Images
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Sigrid Agren The model is one of the reasons street-style photographers cluster around the backstage exits: Her off-duty style is just that good.... more
Sigrid Agren The model is one of the reasons street-style photographers cluster around the backstage exits: Her off-duty style is just that good.
Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
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Maripol Maripol styled Madonna, who adopted her rubber bracelets as a signature look, but she's equally as chic as the star she groomed.
Photo: ... more
Maripol Maripol styled Madonna, who adopted her rubber bracelets as a signature look, but she's equally as chic as the star she groomed.
Photo: Andrew Toth/Patrick McMullan
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Constance Jablonski Denim on denim to a formal event? Only the legs-for-miles model could risk this and come out winning. Photo: BFA NYC
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Laure Heriard Dubreuil The owner of Miami boutique the Webster infuses French influences with the city's color-soaked style.
Photo: BFANYC.COM
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Anais Mali We love seeing the model and current Akris face on the runway, but her rare red-carpet appearances show she's adept at dressing withou... more
Anais Mali We love seeing the model and current Akris face on the runway, but her rare red-carpet appearances show she's adept at dressing without a designer's help. Photo: BFA NYC
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Julia Restoin Roitfeld With a mom like Carine Roitfeld, style is pretty much in her genes. Photo: BFA NYC
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Garance Dore The blogger and illustrator always wows us with understated pieces, like this classic Perfecto. Photo: BFA NYC
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Capucine An ex-Dior and Givenchy model, she always managed to look perfectly put-together.
Photo: Mirrorpix/Courtesy Everett Collection