Inner Chic extols the skills and skulls of Lucien Pellat-Finet
Finally, it’s turning cold and I can wear my brand new Lucien Pellat-Finet parka. Summing up sporty chic, it’s everything I appreciate. There’s a healthy amount of fur trimming the hood, the front pockets are roomy, the inside drawstring is effective and the lining bristles with his signature hemp and skull. In a contemporary way, it captures an essence of St Moritz – the private Corviglia Ski Club and its Glamour Girl members. ‘Contemporary’ because it would be hard imagining those sleek, well-coiffed ladies sporting a vast skull on their back or embroidered hemp at their cuff!
Lucien’s clothes possess edge yet are elegant. Three years ago, I acquired his quilted winter jacket. Odd as it might sound, it gives off the attitude of fur. Versatile, it can suit early morning gym attire or a Giambattista Valli dress. Skilfully armour-like, Lucien’s designs offer confidence and I can think of no greater compliment. Whatever the occasion, L P-F feels right. True, he gleaned a reputation for being the knight of knitwear, the pope of cashmere and so forth but he understands the importance of fit.
"Maybe it’s working at Chanel but I am obsessed with armholes – the importance of height and harmonious ease"
Three ‘killer’ blazers, hanging in my wardrobe, illustrate this. They are slim at the torso while the sleeves define perfection. Maybe it’s after working at Chanel but I am obsessed with armholes – the importance of height and harmonious ease. As for Lucien’s sweaters, my favourite is Princeton orange and periwinkle blue. It is twenty years old and appears brand new. There are no bobbles and the colour equals vibrant. True, cashmere has become cheap – call it the fashion world’s fish fingers – but look to the master for the real thing. Finally, Lucien introduced me to Takashi Murakami and the joy of Japanese kitsch way before anyone. LP-F – a rare Parisian who remains head of his game.
Natasha Fraser-Cavassoni is a Paris-based British writer who covers fashion and lifestyle as well as being the author of Sam Spiegel – The Biography of A Hollywood Legend, Understanding Chic, an essay from the Paris Was Ours anthology, the soon-to-be released Tino Zervudachi – A Portfolio – as well as the Chanel book, for Assouline's fashion series.
Robert Beck is former New Yorker currently based in Paris. A former classical dancer, his book for children titled "A Bunny in the Ballet" will be available early in 2014 from Scholastic, Inc.
