Tales From The Successful: Emmanuelle Alt

The incredibly successful Emmanuelle Alt, Editor-in-Chief, Vogue Paris

There is no way in life to get any cooler than Mme Emmanuelle Alt, Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Paris. It is simply impossible. This woman is a fashion powerhouse, perched atop her throne in Paris, all while being impossibly confident and stylish.  I think my obsession is definitely because she’s so unpretentious in her personal sartorial choices in this era of over-the-top theatrics and loud trends.  You can see many, many instances of this at the events of every fashion week she attends. She is one of the best examples of the modern, 2011 version of the “French woman” cliche. Here’s just an overview of the many different ways in which she’s winning:

The Vogue Paris Girls, with Emmanuelle Alt, center

• She’s not Anna Wintour, not by a long shot. +1000
• Even though her style is enviable and seems imitable, the individual pieces undoubtedly bust the budgets of mere mortals. That’s what a decent Balmain obsession will do to anyone.
• In Paris, where living on the ground floor is not that high in demand for the well-to-do, Mme Alt prefers to live at garden level. So she does.
• She seems to know exactly what works for her and sticks to it brilliantly. She doesn’t get boring but is consistent and beautiful. She makes it look effortless which can only be explained by inherent confidence. This is clearly not a woman who struggles with her identity in the morning.
• She’s almost 45 years old, always wears little-to-no make-up and keeps her hair healthy and simple. No tricks, no gimmicks, no distraction.
• While clearly genetic gifts, her absurdly long legs and impressive cheekbones make any photos of her striking.
• Her husband rules too, as the Creative Director of swoon-worthy Isabel Marant.
• She’s a bit of a tomboy and the Editor-in-Chief of a major fashion magazine. And that is so awesome.
• Vogue Paris still takes risks and can be downright provocative. It is anything but bland and stuffy.
• Her & the French Vogue girls look absolutely fierce and as if they perhaps vaguely…possibly…just maybe…like each other. (looking at you Ms. Wintour)
• She’s successfully climbed the ranks and has two young kids! Wonder Woman!
• Alt totally commanded the group shot of Vogue’s Editors-in-Chief in Japan with her nonchalant pose, that just oozes confidence.

The woman shows clearly how to achieve success with class, style and poise, in a very understated way.

Vogue Editors, Japan Fall 2011, with Emmanuelle Alt in white, seated center