Vanessa Paradis: A Crush In Progress

If you've been following the Living section over the last week, maybe you noticed that we've developed a bit of a girl crush on Johnny Depp's longtime lady, musician Vanessa Paradis. We remember her first popping up on the American scene in the early '90s when she was the protegée and possible lover of Lenny Kravitz--and back then that struck us as the epitome of cool. Now she wows us with her style, her gapped front teeth, and her preference for laying low in spite of her über-famous beau.

Vanessa, as we remember her, circa 1992

Last month she spoke to The Guardian about her style.

On her fashion philosophy:

I am a complete sentimentalist when it comes to clothes. I have so many memories attached to outfits that I can't throw them out - I don't know where to put everything.

On her main man Johnny:

Johnny [Depp], my boyfriend, is an individual. He loves different-coloured glasses and wild hats, but both of us prefer vintage clothes. I wear a lot of vintage Chanel. He dresses as he feels. He likes Dolce & Gabbana and Armani. I suppose I have some influence but not much. I love his style. It is very individual, I suppose even unique. That is what I love about him.

On her musical ability:

I'm a very bad musician and a very bad technician. I play a bit of guitar and I'll record things in a small Dictaphone and put the melody in. I'd rather sing a good lyric written by someone else than one of my own that is terrible.

Keep reading.

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Check out our Oscar slideshow, in which we salute her.

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• • • • • • • The winner. Diablo Cody was looking very "Josephine Baker meets daring punk rock darling." Bravo!

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Read our take on what we can learn from French women like her.

Comments

[PracticalIdealism]

I've adore Vanessa Paradis. Her nonchalant boho-chic look has always provided inspiration and captured my imagination. From the distressed denim jeans with leather vest (and nothing under) that was her signature style in the late 80's to the painted on body suit and short-shor­ts...(love­d to go clubbing in that one), and finally a soft feminine look that doesn't compromise on edginess. I can't wait to see what comes next.