To celebrate its role as sole sponsor of the exhibition dedicated to French painter, Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun, currently on show at the Grand Palais in Paris, La Vallée Village has created a temporary installation at its premises on the outskirts of Paris called ‘The White Shirt Manifesto‘.
The installation showcases a curated selection of white shirts available from various brands at La Vallée Village including CH Carolina Herrera, Paul Smith and Kenzo, alongside fashion editorials that celebrate the wardrobe essential. After all, it’s this very piece of clothing Madame Le Brun painted Marie-Antoinette in, which back in 1783, caused something of a scandal. It was a simple white garment, which in the eyes of society, should have been kept away from public eye.
Fashion photographer, writer and illustrator, Garance Doré, is the ambassador for this project and here, she shares her thoughts:
Tell us about your collaboration with La Vallée Village and The White Shirt Manifesto. What was your inspiration?
La Vallée Village asked me to create an illustration for the white shirt exhibition. I know La Vallée Village well; I really like the experience of shopping there – and, as for the white shirt, well, it’s one of my must-have items! It’s featured in my book, which is released this month. It’s a part of my life, just as it is for a lot of French women.
As you know, La Vallée Village is the proud sponsor of ‘Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun’ at Le Grand Palais, a retrospective devoted to the works of the iconic portrait painter. What’s your take on the artist’s work?
Her life and her work are profoundly inspiring. They speak to us of a free, independent and creative woman. For that time, it’s incredibly inspiring!
Elisabeth’s masterpieces made it acceptable for women to freely express their style, particularly her controversial portrait of Marie Antoinette in which she wore a simple white garment. What does the white shirt symbolise for you?
It’s definitely a symbol of freedom, and it’s also proof of an intimate relationship between the subject and its model. As an artist, that’s what I find the most moving. And, as someone who loves fashion, it shows me, once more, how much clothes form a vehicle for the ideals of an epoch.
You’ve expressed your love of the classic white shirt on your blog and even have a section dedicated to the wardrobe staple in your upcoming book, Love, Style, Life. What is it about the white shirt that inspires you?
The white shirt brings absolutely everything together. Originally part of a man’s wardrobe, it is a symbol of independence and at the same time it’s very sexy when it’s worn slightly open. You can wear it in the evening (think of Sharon Stone and her famous white shirt!), but it’s also an incredible work tool: practical, sensuous, sturdy – it protects and yet is revealing at the same time. And finally, it absolutely never goes out of style.
How do you wear a white shirt?
That depends on the season. I wear it in millions of different ways. I like to wear it with a very thin, long gold necklace and red lipstick.
What do you look for in a white shirt?
I like it to be a bit long, quite loose fitting and open very low down!
Your hugely successful blog has become a symbol of Parisian chic. How would you define your look in three words?
Feminine, realistic, Parisian!
What would you say is the key to achieving French elegance?
It’s very simple: less is more.
What are some of your top in-Village brands for finding the perfect wardrobe basics?
Carven, Church’s, Céline, Gucci, Loewe, Maje, Repetto, Sandro and Valentino.
Your illustrations and insightful musings have captivated the fashion world since the launch of your blog in 2006. Can you talk us through your creative process? Where do you go to find inspiration?
Travelling and meeting people, and also, when I have the time, spending hours in bookshops, looking at art books.
‘The White Shirt Manifesto’ is on from now till 31 October 2015 at La Vallée Village, France. Click here for more information.
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