Isabelle Ciacchella – A Fashion Entrepreneur with an Attitude.

Isabelle Ciacchella is today's guest in my new rubric “Fashion and Backgrounds”. Isabelle is the founder of the online store frenchitude.net, a new shopping experience “à la française.”

We are sitting at a table on an outdoor terrace and talking about her new project frenchitude.net and the things that make French women a style reference.

Tell me a few words about your brand “frenchitude.net”? Why did you choose this name?

Frenchitude makes you think of French attitude. There is some provocation and multiple meanings in it. People would first think of the snobbish French attitude. But really, behind it is the "Je ne sais quoi" the French women naturally possess that defines the French style, sophistication in all simplicity. The French attitude is also the importance of enjoying life, whether it is sharing a coffee at a terrace with a friend, enjoying a nice meal with wine, going to a museum with family or taking a relaxing vacation. And finally, the French attitude in designers is creativity and the know-how of quality craftsmanship that results in amazing fashion items you cherish for years.

And this is what Frenchitude.net is about: introducing up-and-coming independent French designers to the American women and offering high quality fashion accessories such as jewelry, bags and scarves. The Franchitude's experience on the site will be like if you would enter a small shop in Paris, fall in love with an item and leave with the magical story behind the brand and the designer.

You are French. Do you think that French women are different from Americans or any others in terms of style and fashion?

Yes, in most cases. I do believe French women are more at ease when it comes to fashion. Their style looks effortless, natural and still well put together. American women tend to work too much their look, and the result often lacks harmony. The "French Style" is mainly in the accessories: a beautiful scarf, a well-detailed purse, a chic necklace; and not necessarily all together. Pick one item that will stand out and define your style for the day. I do believe that in fashion, less is more.

What items are must-haves in your closet?

Black pants, white pants, jeans, a black jacket, blouses and a few dresses. Ballet flats and boots.

 Brigitte Bardot in ballet flats (1956)

 

Carla Bruni-Sarkozy in ballet flats

  

What would you never wear?

Micro skirts. They are atrocious. The opposite of chic.

Photo credit

What are your favorite accessories?

A Hermes scarf from my grandmother, the "sautoir cravate" necklace by l'Atelier d'une fee, a brand new wallet by Catherine Parra, which I discovered this summer.

Hermes scarf

Leather Wallet Nostalgie Louise by Catherine Parra

Necklace by L'Atelier d'une fee

What inspires you?

When I select the designers for the site frenchitude.net I am looking for authenticity: the originality of the products, the handwork making of the items and the quality of the material. All the designers are French and the fabrication is mostly done in France, or at least in Europe. I am particularly sensitive to the genuine story of the designers.

Necklace by L'Atelier d'une fee/ Wallet by Catherine Parra 

Silk Scarve Esther Bonte

 

Wool Polcadots Scarve and gloves Marcel and Cendrion/ makeup purse Les Cakes de Bertrand

 

Makeup purse by Cakes de Bertrand/scarf and gloves by Marcel and Cendrillon

I am already in love with frenchitude.net products. Visit frenchitude.net and shop there as you would plunge into the heart of a lively and picturesque Paris neighborhood.

Other guests of the “Fashion and Backgrounds” rubric:

Carla Tersini