The Girl From France

The phenomenal rise and success of street style blogs never ceases to amaze me. With new sites popping up all the time, we are offered a unique glimpse into the fashion conscience of cities we might otherwise never get to see.

The usual criticism of these sites is that they only show a certain type of person, the fashionable and the quirky, and as a whole do not realistically represent the majority of inhabitants of the city. Of course it's only the fashionable and the quirky since the mundane and the ordinary do not make quite as interesting or inspirational viewing. I don't think the people who create these street style sites are claiming to capture the essence of a city anyway - they merely seek to show us people across the globe with a common denominator - fashion and style.

The site I visit every day religiously is Facehunter. I love the myriad of styles and personalities he captures. But there is a girl, a French girl, who's images are so beautiful her site is now on my regular visit list. Garance Dore. I was first drawn to her site because of her amazing illustrations. Even though I don't speak French, I still revel in the quality of her shots.

All her chosen subjects are either striking or exceptionally beautiful, but I am under no illusion that everyone in France looks like this, but I love that she seeks out these individuals and then expertly captures their beauty in what seems like a passing moment.

Garance's photos certainly have the same polished quality as Scott of The Sartorialist, but hers have a little extra something in my opinion. Something more real. Whatever it is, it keeps me coming back every day.

Queen Michelle

Comments

[una]

Well those are beautiful pics, but besides the fact that they don't capture at all the essence of the city like you mentioned, this "street" photographers increasingly only take pics of people that work in fashion.That's not very challenging Some models look gorgeous wearing a bin bag.

[Kristina]

I totally agree, her picture have something more. I was really surprising at the quality and beuaty of her images. It almost makes the subject seem more intimate, or personal. It's showcases the person wearing the outfit.

and I sort of disagree with the above comment. It's true up to a point. Most pretty people are aware of their look and put more effort into it than the average person so yeah they get photographer more, but there are people that aren't in the fashion industry that do that same. In fact, I've always thought it's more daring when a non fashion working person is taking fashion risks (like LC of Fops and Dandies).

I have a street style blog and I have never claimed to be giving an "overview" of the areas style. It's just people who stood out to me..and I'm pretty sure hardly any of them are in fashion.

[lady coveted]

i love garance... it's amazing because i've had the privilege of meeting her, and she's not only gorgeous but also really funny and friendly... so inspiring.
:)

[enc]

Street style blogs are so wonderful. All of them. It doesn't matter to me what theme they have or don't have. Or what style they show or don't show. They're letting me peek at something I'd never ordinarily see, and that's the value for me.

I'm glad people take the time to do it.

[uppergeorgetowner]

these are gorgeous. its more about the quality of light and artistic style than whether the subject is traditionally beautiful. For example, the woman with the red hair is not a traditional beauty, yet the photo captures the same essence.

[hailey]

It's such a great site, I wish I read French. Although, the pictures may lose some of their charm with that. The people they profile are always so lovely and sometimes even haunting.

[Debster]

Thought I take a peak at this website and she does takes fantastic pictures the models are beautiful in their own unique way which is refreshing. FYI there is a link on the right side where you can get the english translation of her website obviously for those who cannot read french....

[Ash1314]

wow great photography! The French always look so perfect...hmmm

[Make Do & Mend]

Oh yes I see what you mean - I think it is the depth of the subject matter - seems more interested in them as people, less of a distance perpective.

[Aja]

I love this site too but I can't help but to wonder if there is such a thing as "bad skin" in France. None-the-less, I visit the site every day and think "I gotta take care of my skin".

[Toni Alexis]

Oh I love that red and white blouse :)

[Lady Smaggle]

Oh wow this site is gorgeous. With so many new site cropping up I'm rarely impressed but this is beautiful.

[Miss A.]

I agree!!! I always love going to this page. One of my other favorite photos is the brunette with super curly hair in a blue and white striped dress.

[Eva]

I do read French, and I can tell you it makes her site even better. She just has such a wonderful way of describing things and telling stories! It's one of the only blogs that I really READ instead of just scrolling through and looking at the pictures.

[aziza x]

Ahh, I'm glad you're giving her some hype because when I recently found her, I fell in love with her pictures. I like them more than Facehunter's or Sart's because she gives up close shots of people. You get to see the detail they put into their makeup, etc.

[K]

me too! I love Garance's pics.