Time Out with Shonni Enelow



This past week we were lucky enough to have
Shonni Enelow, writer for The New York Times Style Magazine, drop by our school. Shonni, the daughter of our beloved English teacher, is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Pennsylvania after spending her undergraduate years at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. She decided to stop by Rennes during her most recent trip to France, a country that she is no stranger to: she spent several months living in France during her high school and college years. She found some time out of her busy schedule to catch up with us, share her favorite fashion finds, and talk about how her experience in France has undeniably shaped her current style.


She can’t live without: A.P.C., Acne, Dries Van Noten, Vanessa Bruno, Whyred, and 3.1 Phillip Lim. For accessories and party clothes, she prefers vintage.

Self-described as: Jean Seberg meets punk minimalism.


Don’t write her off as a drama dork: “I was an undergraduate at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, where I majored in Theater. I'm now getting a PhD at Penn in Comparative Literature.”


Modest beginnings: “I always loved dress-up. High school was hard because I was this kind of arty punk in a sea of prep. When I got to Tisch, I felt like I'd arrived. I wore '60s minidresses and go-go boots to class. I was surrounded by artists, and we all sort of inspired each other, aesthetically. I've toned it down a lot since then, but I'm still inspired by the louche provocation of the nouvelle vague.”

All roads lead to Paris: "I spent three months in France as a high school freshman, another month as a sophomore. Then, between college and grad school, I went back and lived in Paris. I spend as much time there as possible. I love speaking French; I think that language has an enormous effect on how we think and behave. French dressing tends to be understated, which I love, and less conformist than American fashion (although New York is definitely an exception!). I also tend to associate French fashion with my very chic aunt Patsy, who lives in Paris. She is precise but she always knows when to stop. She's also the one who originally took me to cut my hair off, when I was 14; I've had it boy-short pretty much ever since."

Designer Aspirations: Part 1


Bonjour tout le monde! For my section, “Designer Aspirations” I’ll be keeping you guys updated with what I’m doing in Rennes to pursue my dream of being a fashion designer. Unlikely...well, yeah, but I'm still holding onto that 1/1,000,000 chance. So, until then, I’m designing out of a cardboard box and sewing with a rusted machine - I’m not giving up. In any case, my most recent endeavor was one of the best yet. I spent a week going around Rennes, harassing all the dressmakers and tailors in town with my presence and somehow I landed an apprenticeship with one of the best wedding dress designers and hat makers in France. Each day for a week I rang in, walked up to her studio, and sewed for 4 hours, all while attempting to make conversation in French (it got pretty ugly). She had me make a wedding veil and organza flowers, and after approving my workmanship, had me work on the dresses. It. Was. Ideal. In order to use her studio footage on the site, The Society agreed not to include her name (famous people can be so touchy!) but, nonetheless, we managed to sneak it in the video. See if you can pick it out. Until next time,

Live well, Dress Better,
Maddy

The Society Adores You.


courtesy of www.businessoffashion.com

And to prove our devotion, we're providing you with guilty…but fashionable, pleasures. We're giving out a free Fashion Society T-shirt to one of our lucky commentators who leaves their e-mail address in their comment before December 15th . We know what you're thinking, but it's sooo not like that. We wouldn't dare put our name on some baggy, oversized, cotton-like polyblend bag. Oh, no. Whoever is chosen at random will receive an American Apparel t-shirt in the size of their choice with our silkscreened logo. Trust us, you’re gonna look classy. So, if ready to be showered with gifts from your favorite fashion-obsessed American teenagers studying in France, then leave a comment on any post with your e-mail and just wait for our message to tell you that you've won.

Love, Your Editors
Madeline, Alec, Rebecca and Maddy

VIV’EXPO Fashion Show: 2010 Winter Collection This past weekend, several of us at the Society had the opportunity to help out backstage and model at the Viv’Expo fashion show, featuring 2010 Winter collections of many up-and-coming fashion designers and brands including La Naturalista, Les Mirettes de Cris, Vent d'Ailleurs, and Kiki la Fee. Each fashion designer has a clothing line that features environmentally friendly clothes, made with all natural dyes and fibers. Check out the video for all the backstage and runway action!




Maddy, helping backstage, tries on the Kiki la Fee sac


Rebecca sports the Vent d'Ailleurs vest


Dress from the Les Mirettes de Cris collection


Backstage managers and models try out the "Blue Steel" pose just for kicks

Though the show contained note-worthy designers, here were our favorite designers and brands:

La Naturalista: Super comfy eco friendly shoes in fun and funky colors that will spice up your monotone winter ensemble. Currently sold in most major shoe stores online, including Zappos.


Les Mirettes de Cris: Paris-based designer Christelle Abdelaziz has created a line of extremely cute and flirty dresses that would make a nice addition to any fashionista's wardrobe. We especially love the optional, removable sleeves that make the dress versatile for any weather.


Vent d'Ailleurs: Vent d'Ailleurs specializes in vests made of lamb and sheep skin, imported from Australia and New Zealand. These unbelievably soft and comfortable furs will keep you warm as you fight off the winter blizzards.

All in all, La Société had tons of fun at Viv'Expo, and we've got our eyes peeled for these incredibly talented designers in the future. Stay tuned, and Vive la Mode,Rebecca