My Style: Michelle Bilodeau
Photo: Courtesy of Michelle Bilodeau
Celebrities and style...
Can go very well together (think Diane Kruger and Marion Cotillard!) and very, very wrong (any of the Kardashians!).
Please describe your style in three words.
Classic, evolving, a little bit rock 'n' roll.
What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?
Wearing something they are uncomfortable in.
Do you believe in role models?
Of course! Having someone to look to for inspiration is paramount. Taking that and making it your own it the essence of pure style.
What are your favourite fabrics?
I love silks, a great crêpe, and soft cotton.
Are there any style combinations that you object to?
I used to dislike navy blue with black, but have seen it put together really well lately. And have even worn the combination myself. So, I try not to limit myself in terms of style combinations.
Which city has the best-dressed women?
I am always in love with the way women dress in Paris and London. Paris, because they exude such confidence and always look impossibly chic. And London because they are not afraid to experiment with their style.
Would you say that you are conservative or bold?
I like to think that I am bold, but let’s be honest, I am pretty conservative!
What are the rules, if any, in the way you dress?
I have to feel comfortable and I have to love every item that I purchase. No wasting money on mediocre clothes.
One garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?
My black Theyskens Theory blazer.
A woman should always look like...
Herself. You can see right through someone who is trying to look or be like someone else.
Who taught you what you know about style?
Style to me is an ever-evolving process. I have learned most about style from the amazing women I have had the luck to work with over my career.
How do you select your clothing every morning?
I run through my favourite items, which are usually in a pile in my bathroom, and end up wearing whatever suits my mood the most.
What is your biggest regret?
Not purchasing a pair of fur and leather stacked heel booties from All Saint in Glasgow on a recent trip there.
The three essential things a woman should know about style are...
Don’t be afraid to try anything, don’t be afraid of change, and don’t be afraid to spend a little extra money on a piece that makes you feel like a million bucks.
Do you have any shopping rituals?
I usually do my best shopping after a fun night. I tend to have less regrets that way! Haha.
We will never see you wearing...
Never say never.
Which new designers do you follow and why?
I love what J.W. Anderson has been doing, and his collection for H&M is excellent. I also love Canadian Arthur Mendonça, because he knows how to dress a woman. As well as Toronto-based label Chloé comme Parris, because their designs are perfect for stylish downtown girls. And of course, Olivier Theyskens, who makes the ultimate in cool girl clothes.
Who is the most stylish person you have ever seen?
Though I have never met her in person, Charlotte Gainsbourg always looks absolutely perfect in my mind.
What is the first thing you notice on a woman?
Her confidence.
What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?
My vintage sequined black cocktail dress that I wore in Paris for my best friend’s 30th birthday.
The one image that defined your approach to style...
It’s a toss-up between Edward Steichen’s four ladies on a boat for Vogue and Linda Evangelista in George Michael’s “Freedom ‘90” video.
Which designer never fails to impress you?
Again, Olivier Theyskens, Michael Kors, Erdem, and Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel.
One article of clothing that a woman needs to pay close attention to is...
Denim. Skinny jeans can be right and oh-so-wrong.
Is comfort an enemy of style?
It doesn’t have to be.
Who would you like to see next in My Style?
One of the lovely ladies from The Coveteur.
The best words of advice you have ever heard?
Be yourself or die trying.
