Having a little sister who lives in France (between Lille and St Tropez) is pretty awesome because I’ve got to spend a bit of time that side and it’s a wonderful place to visit. The last time I was in Paris I got to see the Eiffel tower, watch the Lido, hang out in Salvador Dali’s old apartment (a friend of hers lives in it now and his monogrammed wallpaper is still intact!) and eat more incredible cheese than you’d think would be humanly possible.
I’d like to give you shot of me wearing stripes with the Arc de Triomphe in the background but that’s not my style. With me, you get ‘stuffing my face with Laduree macaroons on the floor of the Sephora on the avenue de Champs-Elysee’.
Unlike me, the French folk definitely have an innate sense of style and are very deserving of their reputation for it. I was impressed by how the older women there are all so put together even when they’re wearing something casual. There’s a focus on buying less clothing but ensuring what you do purchase is classic and of great quality. They’d rather have one beautiful trench that’ll last them five years than buy cheap and toss it every second season. Trends? Sure, they pay attention to them. But most seem to have developed signature look. And oh boy do they love their neutrals. Everything is understated but striking.
Anyway, Ted Lapidus has just launched a new fragrance called Orissima that’s an ‘ode to the Parisian woman’. One who’s confident, sexy without trying as well as effortlessly chic.
As far as the fragrance goes, it’s a floral gourmand with citrusy top notes but the zestiness fades fast to reveal a scent that isn’t shy on the sugar. It turns out French women definitely do have a sweet tooth but they’d rather just eat one macaroon (because French woman don’t get fat, darling) then get the rest of their sugar rush from their scent.
Officially, Orissima’s notes are peach and grapefruit up top, peony, iris and orange blossom in the middle and a base of patchouli, caramel and musk.
On my skin, I get the initial juicy burst of peach (this was inspired by tarte tatin) and pink grapefruit before the flowers sweep in. Then, inexplicably, I pick up on a little geranium but this might be the patchouli as it starts to emerge. Lastly, you’re left with a heady mix of warm, peachy caramel and the slightest hint of something mossy with a staying power that’s intense. You can put this on in the morning and you’ll still be able to smell it by the time the sun is starting to set.
In a way, Orissima reminds me a lot of another of Ted Lapidus’ fragrances and that’s the sweet, ambery, white floral that is White Soul. You can definitely tell they’re related but Orissima is less amber, more caramel. It’s the kind of fragrance that would suit a gourmand-loving woman of any age and could be worn day or night.
Anyway, if you’d like to give it a sniff yourself, you’ll find it at Dis-Chem and Clicks. You could also enter to win a bottle of your own!
Ways to win? Enter via the comments section below telling me who your favourite female French style icon is. (Mine is Brigitte Bardot, hands down.) You can also enter via my Instagram and Facebook page so be sure to stop on by and say bonjour!
This competition is open to South African residents only and a winner will be drawn at 5pm on 19 July.
Good luck girls! Or should I say bonne chance!
Love, love
Leigh
This competition us now closed. Congrats to winner Kamilah Francis who entered via Facebook.
Lipgloss is my Life 
DEF Juliette Binoche, gorgeous and so elegant!
Ines de la Fressange for her timeless elegance! ❤
The bottle is so lovely.I’ll go with Edwige Belmore
Anouk Aimee
Mine is Princess Charlotte of Monaco! Sounds stunning holding thumbs!
I had to go google and then I came across Emmanuelle Alt, I just love how she adds edge to her look. I could definitely rock her look , or I hope could .
It is hard to narrow it down to just one – French women do have such style! But I love the looks worn by Melanie Laurent.
I also love Bridgette Bardot , I love her blonde hair and big winged eye liner , she has a classic look and I would love to have style like her , she also has that gap in her teeth and she makes it look so awesome !
Of course Brigitte Bardot is a major style icon across all boarders for me (I dresses up like her for a party once, so much fun!).
I’ve always loved Coco Chanel’s style! I mean, how could you not, she invented the little black dress!!!
I also really like Marion Cotillard – bit more modern, but I love her simplistic style. I think that’s a major theme with French Style, keeping it simple, yet elegant, chic and unforgettable!
Betty Catroux – definitely
Betty Catroux
Mine is Melanie Laurent, she is laid back and effortless in her style. I like how she is girly but not Barbie pink over accessorised.
Aaah so, so many! I absolutely also love Bridgette Bardot but what about the Classy and Fabulous Coco Chanel!
Coco Chanel!
Coco Chanel
my favourite french style icon is Yves Saint Laurent. Who else exudes such glamour.
My favorite French icon Marion Cotillard. She is a great actress and oh so stylish
Mine is definitely Clémence Poésy. She always looks so effortlessly stylish.
Vanessa Paradis for me, absolutely stunning and gorgeous. Looks fabulous in just about anything.
Marion Cotillard, I love her modern simplistic elegant style
Coco Chanel
The beautiful French Designer and Business Woman.
Her clothing range epitomized elegance and her fashion is timeless.
Admired her for her beauty, talent and her success story to fame and fortune is amazing.
Coco Chanel
The beautiful French Designer and Business Woman.
Her clothing range epitomized elegance and her fashion is timeless.
Admired her for her beauty, her fashion style, talent and her success story to fame and fortune is amazing
The timeless, beautiful, preppy style of Coco Chanel resonates with me!
Mine would be Coco Chanel!
Mine is Coco Chanel!
Audrey Tautou – she is chic ,classic makes a statement with very clean lines
Catherine Deneuve circa Belle de Jour is one of them. Love the sound of this one, Leigh.
OMW I love those floral notes! I’m a huge Ted Lapidus fan, I’m currently using WhiteSoul Gold & Diamonds and I’m obsessed with it! My ultimate French style icon has to be Coco Chanel, quoted: “Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance” How fabulous! Keeping my fingers crossed 🙂
Love Vanessa Paradis.
The beautiful Vanessa Paradis
She looks stunning in anything she wears, a fashion queen, her hair styles complinent her fashion. Timeless in beauty, personality. My fashion icon .
Jane Birkin beautiful and elegant,timeless
Caroline De Maigret
She just knows how mix sexiness with simplicity. I totally love her style.
Anna Mouglalis
Anna Mouglalis
Catherine Deneuve! a lady of many talents.
Coco Chanel
Marion Cotillard
Coco Chanel
The beautiful French Designer and Business Woman
I think Bridgette Bardot, for being a timless icon for elegance and fun!
CATHERINE DENUEVE
Lily Rose Depp
She’s just so stylish, her aesthetic is just like on all points.
Lily Rose Depp
She’s so stylish, her aesthetic is on all points.
Coco Chanel is my favourite icon diva!
bonjour Leigh
Marion Cotillard who exudes effortless elegance #TedLapidus #Orissima
Vanessa Paradis – love her eclectic style #TedLapidus #Orissima
Caroline de Maigret for her chic French style
Emmanuelle Alt for her understated elegance
Does Jane Birkin count?! Hope so…
Jane Birkin & Bridette Bardot 😍
For me its bridgette bardot as well as coco chanel…. both are iconic women and have a real sense of style
Mine is Marion Cotillard , her style is amazing !
Definitely Coco Chanel.
Coco Chanel 💖💖💖
Gabrielle Bonheur “Coco” Chanel
“a girl should be two things: classy and fabulous” and she did that & made that with sophistication and classic.