What makes a style truly timeless? With fashion designer, stylist and photographer, Yolanda Ng, at the helm, we strolled the streets of Paris to seek out fashionable people – and ask them about clothes, life and how they create looks that stand the test of time.
For some people, timeless looks equate to memorable pieces. Outfits so iconic, they turn the eye and are brandished in one’s memory forever. For Yvette this couldn’t be further from the truth.
The worldly journalist, who’s lived in countries as far flung as Australia, Korea, the Netherlands and France – and has brushed shoulders with more designers than the red carpet at Paris Fashion Week – has a refreshing take on the subject. And it doesn’t only involve style, but also responsibility towards our planet and a slower, kinder approach to fashion.
“For me being timeless means choosing good quality material. Considering whether a design will last at least two years and, actually, more like five,” she tells us in the calm, confident way of someone who knows fashion and doesn’t need to prove it.
“If you are self aware and understand your body shape – what looks good on you – then you don’t make mistakes, or buy wrong items. You wear the things that suit you exactly. That is timeless,” she says.
Dressed in straight-cut jeans, a woolen vest layered over a shirt, and a chequered blazer, she not only embodies her words, but also an effortless “French chic” style.
“When I was young, I tried to follow trends,” she tells us, recalling one time she tried a “ruffled thing”. “I thought it was cute when I first saw it but when I put it on, I saw that it was not for me. Now I know what works; what really fits me. I don’t follow trends at all. I know the shapes that work on my body. It’s a good thing to become wiser with age,” she laughs.
“I don’t want to spend too much money on fashion and I hate spending time shopping or looking around the internet. I’d rather invest in a few good pieces from designers I love,” Yvette tells us. “I try to add maybe two or three items in the spring or summer and in winter.”
And it isn’t only due to the space constraints of having a small Parisian apartment. Yvette is a big proponent of minimalism and, since the birth of her son ten years ago, has focused her energy on becoming more intentional with her choices, perfecting the art of the capsule wardrobe.
“Ten pairs of trousers, including jeans, six or seven skirts, four coats, one trench, two jumpers,” she lists out all of the items she owns, “quite a few T-shirts because I like layering. Oh and one raincoat.” She pauses and follows a slightly different tangent – but one which perfectly illustrates her approach to slow fashion.
“It’s a very fancy raincoat. I’ve had it for like ten years. It was made specifically for me by a Canadian designer friend who worked for a Chinese brand. The fabric comes from Korea. It’s good to have fashion designer friends,” she laughs.
She has many stories like this. A special piece she acquired many years ago from a designer friend or acquaintance and intends to hold onto for a long time. Even in the outfit she’s wearing, most of her items – from her sculptural ear cuff to her blue chequered blazer – have a story of design, quality and craftsmanship behind them.
Yet, despite her connections, designer pieces and the confident way in which she manages to combine patterns, textures and silhouettes without even the suggestion of an effort, she remains humble, averting attention.
“When I dress up, I don’t necessarily want people to look at me. That’s not my intention. I want to be more in the shadows,” she says. And while her look is definitely not showy or ostentatious, one thing is clear: Nobody puts Yvette in the shadow.
- Buy quality – clothes which are meant to last, will last. Give it the five year test. If you don’t think you’ll wear it in five years, don’t buy it
- Be intentional – think about how each new piece you buy can complement your wardrobe
- Turn trousers inside-out – it helps protect them from fading or agitation in the washing machine
- Separate, always – wash whites, blacks and colours separately with the right liquid detergent to ensure they pass the five-year test
- Be gentle with sweaters – read the instructions and hand wash if you have to
- One in, one out – set a rule to donate or sell a piece of clothing whenever you buy a new one
Image credits:
© Yolanda NG Photography
© Antoine Doyen