While Emily in Paris (emphasis on the Emily) has inspired both devout fashion stans [1] and fierce critics, Emily's Parisian pal Camille (played by Camille Razat) offers a more subtle style that we're not talking about nearly as much but certainly should be. Between the "ringarde", the printed or brightly coloured, and the matchy-matchy ensembles Emily Cooper dons [2] as an American in Paris, I've come to regard Camille's scenes, with her brand of chic dressing on display, as a kind of palate cleanser. While Emily — and Mindy, too — is a maximalist at heart, Camille reminds us that less can be more with the right tailoring, a standout cut, or the juxtaposition of two seemingly unlikely pieces paired together.
The real-life Camille agrees on that much. Describing her favourite look from the series for POPSUGAR, the actor landed on this: "The Yves St. Laurent dress that looked like a heart here [pointing to her chest] and with the huge leather jacket oversized — that's very me putting something so feminine and chic and putting something very masculine on the top of it. This look I love." The 27-year-old French actor and model seems to embody that enviable Parisian aesthetic off screen, too, though hers comes with a twist. "There [are] so many similarities, but I think my style in real life is more bizarre," she told us when we asked her to compare the style of her onscreen counterpart with her own. "I like oversized stuff all the time, you know, and I love, for example, if I wear like all-black look, I will put like crazy socks or a crazy hat with like colourful thing. So more edgy, I would say."
Her style, too, influenced the looks you'll see on the show, thanks to the collaboration between the actor and the wardrobe department: "It was such a good collaboration. Patricia Field is amazing. She's a true punk, and I love that . . . The costume designer, the French one [Marylin Fitoussi], she's great because she really listened to what I imagine. It's a real collaboration. And I love the fact that she tries — and I try, too — to put some smaller designers so they can get recognised."
The resulting looks are effortless in the way that have earned Parisian women a reputation as some of the most fashionable on the planet. Camille's outfits are the cool antidote to Emily's overdone ensembles, and there are some styling gems in each and every one. Here, we're looking at a few of the best from season two [4].
A jumper and denim done right is never boring — Camille's cropped knit and loafers make this look très chic!
Camille's take on casual park wear is understated but comes with enviable boots.
In a sharp Balmain blazer and wide-leg pants, Camille puts classic Parisian-chic dressing on display.
Camille's favourite look just might be our own — this Saint Laurent LBD is sexy and statement making without being over the top.
For a trip to St.-Tropez, Camille reimagines the stuffy suit as holiday wear, complete with a hat and beaded necklace. It's an unexpectedly wonderful combination.
This cocktail dress and boots combo is both elegant and slightly unexpected, especially when you factor in the side cutouts.
While Emily and Mindy opt for bright holiday attire, Camille pairs loafers and a blazer dress with statement shades and a basket bag for a getaway look that's not quite so obvious.
Even her look for a walk is cool, right down to the leather shorts.
The shades and the striped jumper are a lesson in coordinating, subtly.
Camille upgrades her outfits with cool statement pieces, like printed boots.