When I was in high school, I wanted nothing more than to be French. Specifically, I wanted to be like the effortlessly chic women I saw in La Nouvelle Vague, or French New Wave cinema. A NewWave film has the following elements: the anxiety and hope of postwar France, a youthful spirit (as seen in the 1968 student protests), some existentialism, and a touch of gangster film. Throw in some classic cars and a cool hero and you got yourself a show! To this day I still wear a beret occasionally while leafing through a copy of Sartre (no cigarette though, bad for the skin).
My style icon from this era is Anna Karina, a brilliant actress and Jean Luc Godard’s muse. She brings a vulnerability and beauty to every one of her roles, whether in the heartrending drama Vivre Sa Vie or the thrilling and vivacious Bande a part. To incorporate Anna’s signature style into my own look, I focus on the following:
Hair: No matter what role she played, Anna usually sported a thick fringe or bangs. Pair this with either a chin length bob or shoulder length waves for a more ethereal look.
Lipstick: You can’t go wrong with red lipstick, the bolder the better!
Eyes: The 60’s is known for thick cat eyeliner painted with a thick line and flick at the ends. You can skip eyeshadow or stick to a natural looking champagne shade. For a really bold look, add false eyelashes or dramatic mascara!
Fashion: Wear the black that captures the ennui of your soul the best. You can incorporate patterns too, such as the plaid skirt worn by Anna in Bande a part. Or you can opt for stripes for a Jean Seberg in a Breathless inspired outfit.
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