Style: Gaby in France

Introduce yourself! 
G: My name is Gaby. I was born and raised in Paris. I am passionate about fashion especially shoes. I am the editor of the fashion blog Feminine Bliss. I work in the field of communication and creation.

What is your style philosophy? 
G: I remain convinced that fashion is not just about money, but a matter of taste. I’ve never dressed better than when I was a student and I earned $600 a month as a makeup artist. My relatives tend to make fun of me when I wear Chanel shoes with $0.99 sunglasses… “Really Gaby?” But for me, it’s about fashion, I like to mix styles and trends.

How would you describe your sense of style? 
G: In a nutshell, I’m very eclectic. I draw from a little bit of everything I see around me. Some icons I admire are Jenna Lyons and Miroslava Duma. I love the fashion in the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, like Will’s overalls and Doc Martins. I also love the classical era embodied by great actresses like Lana Turner.

What is your process of deciding what to wear in the morning? 
G: I have two major priorities: elegance and comfort. I like to wear casual clothes while having some presence. I choose my outfits depending on my mood and the weather. Sometimes I buy clothes that I only wear a few months later. It can take me 5 minutes or a whole week to come up with a certain look. First, I decide on the shoes I’m going to wear and select an outfit that compliments them the best. I also try to balance: a tank top is a no no with a mini skirt and a mini short is a no no with a cropped top. In my opinion chic is better than vulgar.

What are the three favorite things in your closet? 
G: 1. The black leather perfecto jacket is the piece to have: worn with boyfriend jeans and a pair of converse or thrown over the shoulders, with a simple dress.
2. The high waist: in pencil skirt, denim flair or used vintage shorts.
3. A pair of black pumps.
A Chanel purse 2.5… Oh sorry this makes it 4 things!

What are some of your favorite shops/websites for clothes, shoes and accessories? 
G: I do not really have a favorite brand apart from J. Crew. I like to buy on Asos for their wide variety, shop in flea markets and thrift stores. I also like Gianvito Rossi, his boots are always gorgeous, Coco & Breezy, Alexender Wang and Celine’s purses. But since I started to make a living, I realize that everything is not meant to make a collection out of especially items like Louboutin shoes (although I like what he does) or Clhoé purses. I realize that the most important thing in fashion is to find your own style, then select the right pieces and mix everything. This is how one gets to wear their clothes rather than their clothes wearing them.

How long have you been natural? 
G: I have been natural for the past 2 years. I first relaxed my hair at the age of 13 and I always had compliments from my family about how long and beautiful my hair was. The big problem was that I had damaged ends. By being natural, I no longer have this issue. However, it now takes me three hours to wash my hair 🙁 But seriously, I try to do a better job at taking care of me which I think requires that I be natural.

What is your signature hairstyle? 
G: The Afro Curly! This is my everyday hairstyle. I also love wearing turbans and up dos.

Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month. 
G: 1. Water: I wet my hair three times a week and moisturize it with shea butter. I wash my hair every 2 weeks.
2. I use moisturizing conditioner with garlic, pure rhassoul and olive oil. I intensively moisturize my hair to accentuate and preserve my curls.

Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you? 
G: Off course:
Mainly on my fashion & beauty blog: www.femininebliss.com
On instagram to find my style and every moment of my life in Paris: @femininebliss
On facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FeminineBliss
On tumblr : Feminine Bliss