Emily in Paris
The long awaited debut of ‘Emily in Paris’ last month was sure to get the fashion crowd talking. Produced by Darren Star, the brains behind Sex and the City, and set in the fashion capital of Paris, surely there would be nothing not to like. SATC, the beloved 90’s series set the bar for iconic fashion moments and Star has once again teamed up with Patricia Field, the ingenious costume designer responsible for ensuring that Carries Bradshaw’s unforgettable outfits live on in fashion history. (Who could forget that infamous Dior by John Galliano newspaper print, bias cut dress.) Alongside her, French costume designer Marylin Fitoussi also leant a hand with styling. A show with such star power behind it surely could not disappoint. However, since the release I’ve seen endless articles and social media comments from people who think Emily Cooper’s outfits didn’t quite hit the mark.
But, I think they’re missing the point.
Emily Cooper makes the move to Paris from Chicago, replacing her boss who can longer take on the role. The move is incredibly unexpected, she’s never been to Paris before and doesn’t speak a word of French. She’s thrown amongst a set of extremely sophisticated characters who’s dress sense is worlds away from Emily’s kitschy Eiffel Tower motif shirt. But, by making Emily stand out so much in her loud, colourful outfits it is blatantly visible how much she doesn’t fit in.
The first time we see Emily she is wearing a bright yellow checked Nike puffer jacket.
The contrast of the vivid yellow against the muted grey city backdrop is, in my opinion, an insight into how her clothes will go on to help drive the plot. She stands out so much against her surroundings which is exactly what she goes on to do throughout the episodes.
By criticising her outfits I think people are missing the point of how vital a role the wardrobe department plays in film and television. The bright colours and quirky pattern clashes that reoccur throughout Emily’s wardrobe perfectly show her journey to getting too grips with a new culture.