Ahhh Paris. The word immediately conjures images of sumptuous settings, beautiful women, and romantic cafés. Fall’s runways celebrate quintessential Parisian style – that hard-to-describe sultry chic and nonchalance. Designer Marc Jacobs plays up the French mood for Louis Vuitton with a luxury hotel setting, where languid women stroll around in elegant clothing inspired by dressing gowns, pajamas and negligés. “Spending hours getting made-up to go nowhere is the most decadent thing somebody could do” says the designer. His choppy dark wigs and deep wine lips further accentuate the seduction. Other designers look to Parisian icons like former Vogue France Editor-in-Chief Carine Roitfeld and Man Ray muse Lee Miller.

But what better representative of French style than Catherine Deneuve, a woman once used to model Marianne, the French national emblem? Achieve her refined look with long, glossy hair and this season’s update of the cat eye – the upward slanting almond shape is created by smoky color rather than heavy eyeliner. Pair with pretty pink-mauve lipstick for an alluring daytime look. But what’s a girl to do for a little more drama?  Look to Gucci’s glamazons with their smoky colored cat eyes, ultra pale porcelain skin, muted nude lips, and slicked back hair. Perfect for a prowl along the Seine.

Are you in a French mood?

by: Lee C. Wallick, Beautystreams Runway Editor

Photo: GoRunway