Love it or hate it, Emily in Paris has become a phenomenon. The Netflix hit about a plucky social media strategist who finds herself in the City of Lights has become one of the year’s essential binge watches. 10 episodes provide plenty of escapist eye candy, but the show’s fashion is one of its most important and discussed elements. Nothing sets protagonist Emily apart more than her wardrobe of kooky, literal-minded pieces that contrast with her French colleagues and their bon chic, bon genre mindset. In short, she dresses loud, proud, and occasionally campy.
Though she portrays 2020’s favorite fictional ex-pat, Lily Collins’s take on Gallic fashion is entirely different. The actress’ tastes skew sophisticated—she works with Rob Zangardi and Mariel Haenn, the styling duo behind the standout ensembles of Jennifer Lopez and Cara Delevingne. Yesterday when Collins kicked off the digital press tour for David Fincher’s Old Hollywood drama Mank, she opted to dress up despite spending the day in Zoom meetings. In a lacy, long-sleeved mini dress from Saint Laurent’s pre-fall 2020 collection and black thigh-high boots, Collins kept things simple, sexy, and effortlessly cool.
Anthony Vaccarello’s designs can transform just about anyone into a fierce French femme, but Collins’s look felt especially connected to the idea of Parisian dressing. The sort of vintage-inspired piece you’d see on Jeanne Damas or Lou Doillon, it captured the dressed-up yet laid back sensibility associated with the city’s in-crowd. Paired with a statement belt and a pair of daring boots the dress was magnifique. Sure, the outfit lacked the outré bombast of the Patricia Field-curated wardrobe on Emily in Paris. But when it comes down to who’s more stylish, Emily or Lily, it’s no competition.