French style icon the late Françoise Hardy is the inspiration to our Spring stripe dresses this season. Born in 1944 and raised in the 9th arrondissement in Paris, the multi-talented Hardy was a gifted singer, songwriter and author. The shy, stylish fashion icon first rose to fame in the early-1960s with her chart-topping singles including “Tous les Garçons et les Filles” and “Le Temps de l’Amour”. She was a leading figure in what became known as the yé-yé wave, the French interpretation of the pop and rock styles from the US and the UK.
No mere pop prop, however, Hardy also wrote almost all of her own songs. Her extraordinary career spanned more than 50 years and more than 30 studio albums. She gained international fame releasing her songs in English, Italian and German languages. She also starred in films, most notably Grand Prix and Une Balle au Cœur, as well as writing several books on astrology and nonfiction works.
Hardy’s personal style was the prototype Parisienne, with a chic, elegant and effortless feel that inevitably drew comparisons with her contemporary, Jane Birkin. Hardy’s signatures included flared jeans, leather jackets, stripe dresses, trench coats, white sunglasses and a French girl fringe. She was a muse for designers Yves Saint Laurent and Paco Rabanne and collaborated with various fashion houses.
Inspired by this style and versatility, the La Françoise stripe dress is a classic, easy to wear style with three-quarter-length sleeves and a relaxed fit through the body. Its slightly below-the-knee length elevates this beyond a casual dress. A soft but substantial fabric of 95% cotton and 5% elastane makes it super comfortable to wear, whether teamed with a pair of white sneakers or a kitten heel.
Inspired by this style and versatility, the La Françoise stripe dress is a classic, easy to wear style with three-quarter-length sleeves and a relaxed fit through the body. Its slightly below-the-knee length elevates this beyond a casual dress. A soft but substantial fabric of 95% cotton and 5% elastane makes it super comfortable to wear, whether teamed with a pair of white sneakers or a kitten heel.