Deep-diving into the inspirations that drive the coolest people we know.
If there’s anyone who has been a modern ambassador for “French girl” style — the combination of sophisticated, simple pieces and effortlessly applied makeup so beloved online — it’s Jeanne Damas. The model and actress started blogging about her outfits when she was a teenager in Paris. Ten years ago, she took the “influencer turned founder” route and launched Rouje, her wide-ranging line of body-hugging floral dresses, sassy tortoiseshell mules, and bright-red matte lipsticks. Today, the line has stores across France and one in New York City, and it has collaborated with J.Crew and Helena Christensen. Meanwhile, Damas has played Paloma Picasso onscreen and given birth twice, and she continues to travel across the world for fashion shows while searching for inspiration for her next collection.
As part of our ongoing series about unlikely muses that inspire our favorite creatives, Damas shared some of her recent obsessions — from French New Wave cinema to vintage nude magazines — that drive her work.
Is there someone who has served as a muse for your work?
My mother, of course, remains my No. 1 muse. When I was 15, I used to borrow clothes from her closet to go out with my friends in Paris. I would watch her walk through her restaurant in 12-centimeter heels and floral dresses.
I have also always been deeply inspired by cinema and actresses. After graduating from high school, while all my friends went to university, I chose to attend drama school. I went to the movies three or four times a week. There were the films of Sofia Coppola, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, the French New Wave. The films of Cédric Klapisch, Arnaud Desplechin, Pedro Almodóvar. And Sex and the City.
People often talk to me about the “French girl,” but many of my style icons are actually American. In the 2000s, I was fascinated by Paz de la Huerta for her glam-trash Hollywood vibe. I love imperfection — a bra strap showing, lipstick slightly smudged, that small imbalance that makes a silhouette feel alive.
I also admired Kristen Stewart, Chloë Sevigny, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, and, of course, Sofia Coppola. Today, I admire Zoë Kravitz. When working on Rouje mood boards, I often rediscover images from the ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s. I love the runway shows of Lolita Lempicka, Prada, Blumarine, and Emanuel Ungaro. All the houses that defined those decades.
To celebrate the tenth anniversary of Rouje, we created a capsule collection of ten pieces centered around cinema. We chose cult and iconic films, actresses, and scenes: the dance scene in And God Created Woman, the polka-dot dress worn by Vivian Ward in Pretty Woman, the white satin dresses in The Virgin Suicides, and the polka-dot and floral prints so dear to Pedro Almodóvar.
Over the last decade, there’s been a lot of focus on “French girl style.” How would you describe that style today? What do you think Americans misunderstand about French style?
I’m often associated with the idea of the “French girl,” but in reality, I’m deeply inspired by other cities. When I travel to Copenhagen, London, or New York, seeing different styles inspires me enormously. I think New Yorkers are always one step ahead, original and free in the way they dress. In Paris, there can sometimes be a more uniform approach. I believe the fascination with the “French girl” is more about lifestyle and the cultural aura of Paris.
When you’re stuck creatively or in need of creative rejuvenation, what do you do?
I travel. Discovering different cultures, different ways of wearing clothes, different attitudes. Recently, a trip along the Nile inspired ideas for next summer.
What’s something surprising or unlikely that has inspired you recently?
I recently came across the Instagram account @idea.ltd, which was selling a vintage magazine filled with iconic images of nude women in Paris with a touch of humor. It felt bold and free and probably something that couldn’t be published in the same way today.
What’s the last photo in your camera roll that proved creatively inspirational? Please share this image.
An image that inspired a collection called “La Perla”: a flamenco dancer. The collection will feature plenty of ruffles, polka dots, and movement.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/52002570691101493/
How has your personal style changed over the last decade? What inspires you when you’re dressing yourself?
It’s funny, my style hasn’t changed much in 15 or 20 years. When I look at photos from 2016, it could easily be me today. It’s as if I understood very early on what I love and what suits me: wrap dresses, ballet flats, a trench coat, the perfect pair of jeans.
I’ve kept the same bangs, just slightly longer or shorter depending on the moment, and the same approach to makeup. The changes happen in the details, in the attitude, and the way I accessorize.
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