Anne Fontaine partnered with the acclaimed stylist Aurore Donguy, who brought her remarkable expertise to a curated selection of white shirts from the Anne Fontaine collection. With a rich background in the fashion industry that began under the guidance of haute couture icon Jean Louis Scherrer, Aurore has a storied history of elevating apparel to its highest art form. After an impactful tenure at Hermès and launching her own brand at 23, her career has been marked by collaborations with luxury brands like Piaget and Louis Vuitton, as well as styling some of the most recognizable names in the world. This partnership with Anne Fontaine sees Aurore Donguy applying her visionary styling to infuse the collection's shirts with a blend of timeless elegance and modern sophistication. We had the pleasure of interviewing Aurore Donguy about her expert styling techniques and the best way to style a white shirt.
What interests you the most about a classic white shirt?
For me, the white shirt embodies French chic - an enduring staple of the wardrobe. It's versatile enough to be worn throughout the year, irrespective of the season, aligning perfectly with any mood or influence.
How often do you recommend a white shirt to clients?
I frequently suggest it to my clients as it seamlessly integrates into daily life. It can be styled formally for work or paired casually with jeans for a more relaxed weekend look. I am thrilled to have received an invitation from Anne Fontaine to personally handpick six pieces that resonate with my style and cater to various occasions and influences in life.
The Iconic White Shirt:
"The Iconic White Shirt stands out for its blend of classic allure and comfort, attributed to the jersey back and sleeves. I'm particularly enamored with the collar's majestic design. The double-breasted buttoning significantly enhances its presence, offering an elegant posture reminiscent of a ballet dancer. The beauty of this shirt is amplified when the collar is worn closed, compelling an upright stance that exudes refinement. For a balanced ensemble, I'd pair this shirt with a jacket or a bomber to tone down its formality, complemented by high-waisted skinny jeans in blue or black, and finished with a pair of chic boots."
Discover ARMANTINE
The Jabot Shirt:
"The Jabot Shirt is a favorite among many of my clients. Paired with a suit or a jacket, it makes a statement on its own. The placement of the jacket highlights the shirt's ruffle, and the sleeves are designed to let the cuff ruffles peek out gracefully. The double collar is an exquisite and uncommon feature that I truly appreciate. Additionally, the use of cotton jersey fabric affords the shirt elasticity, providing comfort without compromising style. When worn under a jacket, only the elegant cotton gauze collar, ruffle, and cuffs are visible, hiding the fact that the rest is jersey. This ensures comfort in all the right places: the collar, ruffle, waist, and cuffs. To showcase the shirt's ruffle, pair it with high-waisted seventies jeans or tailored flared pants, topped with a structured jacket—it's the epitome of perfection."
Discover PATSY
The Sleeveless Shirt:
"The Sleeveless Shirt exudes a sporty charm. This atypical design becomes especially appealing in the summer, offering comfort without compromising style when layered with a jacket. Crafted from soft jersey cotton, this shirt embodies casual elegance. Perfectly paired with jeans for a laid-back but polished look, its fluid material is best tucked in to avoid any unwanted lines. For an effortlessly chic appearance, combine it with high-waisted Mom jeans and Birkenstocks."
Discover NUAGE SM
The Lavaliere Shirt:
"As a stylist, lavaliere shirts are highly requested by clients who favor the equestrian aesthetic with a touch of '70s flair. The pleasing fabric grants freedom to the body while remaining soft to the touch and accommodating movement. It offers a blend of comfort and aesthetic appeal.Styled with a jacket, the lavaliere makes a statement when tied. Alternatively, wearing it open exudes a relaxed yet sophisticated vibe, especially when the neckline is open with the knot tied lower down. This shirt's true charm lies in its versatility—it can transition smoothly from a buttoned-up event look to a relaxed weekend feel when paired with casual, pajama-style pants."
Discover SANTANA
The Embroidered Shirt:
"The exquisite embroidery on this shirt is noteworthy, echoing current fashion trends featuring florals. The marriage of comfortable cotton jersey material and the meticulous, luxurious technique of embroidery forms a unique juxtaposition between sportswear ease and couture refinement. The subtlety of the tone-on-tone embroidery ensures that it's not overpowering, while the relief detail it adds remains extremely wearable. Completing the design, the lustrous mother-of-pearl buttons introduce an air of sophistication. This shirt's versatility shines as it can be styled classically with cream suit pants or dressed down with jeans or boyish peg pants for a more casual flair."
Discover VIANEY
The Statement Shirt:
"There's a particular allure to the voluminous design of The Statement Shirt, with a nod to the prevailing floral trend influenced by the catwalks. It's designed with couture-like balloon sleeves adorned in flowers and made from exquisite silk organza that is both lightweight and delightful to wear. This piece also incorporates a sportswear element with its zip detail, reminiscent of a bomber jacket. This fusion perfectly suits my preference for mixing styles, stemming from my time spent in San Francisco. Its delicate construction does not detract from its wearability. Picture it with high-waisted Mom jeans and sneakers for daytime chic, or dress it up with white tailored pants and pumps for an evening occasion.
Details/Tips: The dual zip functionality allows for playful adjustments, whether fully zipped, opened from the bottom or the top. I prefer unzipping it to the seam to maintain the integrity of the volume, then opening it slightly at the bottom to tailor it to the wearer's hips. The double zip offers customization to flatter various body shapes, and it can even be styled for a sultry look by unzipping up to the navel."
Discover NATALYS
