INTERVIEW: Laura Manara. The New Queen of Resort Wear Claims Her Throne.

Fashion designer Laura Manara.



What the international jet-set woman currently wants—is to look chic, timeless, sexy and carefree—all at the same time. She wants resort wear that can take her to and from many destinations. Laura Manara is among the first designers to finally meet those needs.

"Resort wear" originally sprang up in the 19th century when sunny, seaside resorts became common destinations for the upper classes throughout the winter season. During the 1920s and 1930s, monied socialites and film stars, who were often photographed and written about, made resort wear an absolute necessity.

Lingerie and the French Woman ...

Photo by Iryna Kalchenko.

I once asked my French hairdresser—who has a cute little atelier in Beverly Hills—what she missed most about her home country, and she replied, "The lingerie." She went on to add, "The lingerie in the US is usually bad quality." I agreed. Exceptional lingerie is something I found in Paris while shopping as a newlywed for my honeymoon. Sadly, the lingerie was so amazing that it was stolen out of our rental car while having dinner one night in the tiny village of Eygalières.

The Small Yet Très Chic French Wardrobe.

French women (most notably La Parisienne) have always been revered for their sense of style, beautiful skin and slim figures. What most people do not realize about the French, in terms of their style in particular, is that they are quite conservative. The upper echelons of French society lean towards a simple, cultivated style that eschews trends. They prefer classic, timeless pieces that are easily incorporated into their existing wardrobes. What is even more interesting is that the size of their wardrobes are much smaller than the average American's. We appear to be hoarders in comparison. As our wardrobes are packed with endless cheap, throw-away, trendy fashions that only last a season, theirs in comparison, are carefully and thoughtfully managed. They do not shop often, yet when they do, they look for quality above all. You will not find a French wardrobe overrun by Polyester.

My favorite book on the subject is Lessons from Madame Chic, by Jennifer L. Scott. She has excellent advice on how to simplify your life by creating the perfect, cultivated, 10-piece French wardrobe.