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May 9, 2014

40 More Chic French Women

By Véronique Hyland

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Fashionable French women are not exactly in short supply. They are a renewable resource of sorts. And since we can always learn something from their inimitable style, here are 40 more women to add to our original list. From Nouvelle Vague icon Anna Karina to today’s indie darlings, there’s plenty of Gallic glamour to go around.

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1 / 40 Photos
Betty Catroux The YSL muse has always been a paragon of menswear chic. Photo: Mary Russell/Corbis
Anna Karina Godard's wife and muse was born in Denmark, but her gamine style is 100% French. Photo: Keystone-France/Getty Images
Charlotte Gainsbourg When you're the daughter of Jane Birkin, the style stakes are high. Good thing the singer-actress has Nicolas Ghesquiè... 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
Jeanne Moreau Antonioni, Truffaut, and Buñuel all fell under her spell, and it's easy to see why. Photo: Keystone-France/Getty Images
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... 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
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... 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
Claudine Longet The chanteuse's vocal register may have been barely above a whisper, but she made plenty of bold style statements. Photo: Michae... 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
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... 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
Rachida Dati You might mistake her for a Vogue Paris editor, but European Parliament member Dati is simply the chicest politician around. Photo:... 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
Eva Green The actress favors dramatic gowns from Tom Ford and Elie Saab. Photo: Sean Gallup/Getty Images
Niki de Saint Phalle The late artist was known for her outré sculptures (and often, matching outfits). Photo: Keystone-France/Getty Images
Zouzou "La twisteuse," as Paris Match christened her, was an emblem of liberated '60s style. Photo: Keystone-France/Getty Images
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... 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
Maria Schneider With her affinity for Bob Dylan T's and crisp suiting, Schneider had the borrowed-from-les-garçons look down pat. Photo: ... 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
Isabelle Adjani The dreamy video for her Serge Gainsbourg-penned single "Pull Marine," inspired a collection by hip French label Jacque... 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
Romy Schneider From sweeping caftans to artfully titled chapeaux, her style is the stuff mood boards are made of. Photo: Gamma/Getty Images
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 ... 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
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... 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
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
Béatrice Dalle The gap-toothed beauty made her mark in Betty Blue, and while her slightly louche dressing (animal prints, bustiers) migh... 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
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. ... 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
Ludivine Sagnier Red-carpet risks? Saignier takes them regularly, often opting for bright colors and unusual shapes. Photo: Venturelli/Getty Images
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... 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
Audrey Marnay The model bears some resemblance to her fellow Audrey (that would be Hepburn), but has a much more flamboyant aesthetic. Photo: Da... 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
Charlotte Casiraghi Grace Kelly's granddaughter manages to look just as enviably fashionable in her jodphurs (she's an avid equestrian) as she do... 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
Virginie Ledoyen An ingenue in the gamine, Hepburnian mold, Ledoyen doesn't favor showy dressing, but her simple LBDs and classic accessories mak... 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
Anh Duong French-born Duong transitioned from modeling for YSL and Lacroix to becoming a painter whose arty wardrobe perfectly complements her ca... 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
Leslie Caron While playing iconic roles in Gigi and An American in Paris, Caron honed a '50s, ultrafeminine signature style. Photo: Archive Phot... 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
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-... 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
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... 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
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... 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
Agnès Troublé The agnès b. designer exudes rock and roll, even in minimalist black. Photo: Foc Kan/Getty Images
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.... 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
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: ... 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
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
Laure Heriard Dubreuil The owner of Miami boutique the Webster infuses French influences with the city's color-soaked style. Photo: BFANYC.COM
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... 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
Julia Restoin Roitfeld With a mom like Carine Roitfeld, style is pretty much in her genes. Photo: BFA NYC
Garance Dore The blogger and illustrator always wows us with understated pieces, like this classic Perfecto. Photo: BFA NYC
Capucine An ex-Dior and Givenchy model, she always managed to look perfectly put-together. Photo: Mirrorpix/Courtesy Everett Collection
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Tags:

  • paris blog
  • french women
  • anna karina
  • jeanne moreau
  • melanie laurent
  • marine vacth
  • anais mali
  • anh duong
  • constance jablonski
  • beatrice dalle
  • betty catroux
  • charlotte gainsbourg
  • josephine de la baume
  • charlotte casiraghi
  • aymeline valade
  • jeanne lanvin
  • claudine longet
  • sylvie vartan
  • sonia rykiel
  • eva green
  • rachida dati
  • nikki de saint phalle
  • zouzou
  • elodie bouchez
  • romy schneider
  • maria schneider
  • isabelle adjani
  • leslie caron
  • emmanuelle riva
  • ludivine sagnier
  • vanessa seward
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