Emily In Paris is objectively a bad show. The show has a lot of clichés, unrealistic situations and doesn’t even come close to the Paris I live in.
But that’s exactly what its viewers want, and, I am delighted to reveal what the new series — which starts tomorrow — delivers, just in time for a well-deserved TV binge far, far removed from pandemics and reality.
Paris seen through American-tinted lenses is hypnotic. You don’t need to focus to notice that everyone around you is smiling.
Although it is an affectionate love letter to Paris, it seems like the show was created by someone who had never been there or has ever met one.
The vision is specific to a Parisian tourist’s imagination.
This fantasy city depicts a cobbled, filtered street, with the Eiffel Tower rising above it. Every problem is solved by becoming more American.
Paris seen through American-tinted eyes is hypnotic. You don’t need to focus to notice that everyone around you is lovely and everything is simple.
The outfits of Emily Collins (Lilly Collins) are half the attraction. This season features a mix of vintage, designer and High Street pieces.
It’s reminiscent of the early Sex And The City. Every outfit is A-Look, no matter if Emily is going to the markets to pick up groceries or taking an overnight train.
However, they are not always attractive. One particular look in Episode Three features billowing striped Harem trousers with a flat cap and fur-lined Cardigan. This outfit would be a nightmare for any French woman.
One of my favorite things about Emily In Paris, is that the name was created by Netflix to rhyme. The show was supposed to have viewers say Paris with a French accent. (EM-ILY In PAREE), but apparently nobody knows this. This is a sort of deluded optimism which permeates the entire show.
Because Christmas is when people crave unrealistic TV, it makes sense that this season will be released. It was as enjoyable as the original.
Half the appeal is in the Lily Collins outfits, which she wears to play Emily. The season includes a variety of high-street, vintage and designer pieces.
Problem is, even though it tries to make friction, the show can endanger the relationship between Emily and the audience.
Season one ends with Camille sleeping with Gabriel, her French only friend. She isn’t exactly open to this little detail in season 2. It is possible that a friend would be interested in this information.
Although I can happily see a woman involved in a relationship triangle, I am less likely to support a friend who is an awful person, even though her style makes it addictive.
We heart Emily In Paris: Anouki dress, £817; Roger Vivier bag, £1,047; for the launch of a heart-shaped jewellery range
THE CLOTHES. . .
It was hated by the French. The experience was compared to being gassed in advance of a molecular extraction by reviewers. Yet Emily In Paris had the last laugh, with 58 million households watching in the first month alone — Netflix’s most popular comedy series of last year.
But it was the costumes, an unrealistic riot of clashing patterns and colours, which proved a big talking point — from the Alice + Olivia Eiffel Tower shirt that so horrified both French critics and Emily’s colleagues at Savoir, the PR company where Emily works (but which in real life, sold out just hours after the episode’s release) to the star’s much-derided take on the cliched beret.
This is perhaps not surprising considering that Patricia Field, Carrie’s Sex And The City costume chief, works in collaboration with Marylin Fioussi, France’s Costume Designer.
For season two, expect even more overly-enthusiastic outfits, with items from Chanel, Balmain and Christian Louboutin — plus a vast array of berets and bucket hats. Femail found that there were also vintage and high-street items.
Let’s take a look at the most popular looks from the series. . .
Button swoon: Balmain short pink tweed high-waisted skirt, £1,250
Outfit that’s a real Eiffel: Dolce & Gabbana silk-blend crepe de chine mini dress, £1,665; Louboutin caracaba bag, £1,314; Marimekko hat designed by Annika Rimala in 1966
Simply frilling: Magali Pascal botanic dress, £402; Terry de Havilland heels, £285; Miu Miu sunglasses, £285; Nach Bijoux necklace, £7
Cutting the mustard: La Compagnie Contemporaine vintage jumpsuit, £1,800; Oliver Bonas has a similar beret to this vintage one, for £22
Lady in red: Tulle dress by H&M x Giambattista Valli, £300
French fancy: Hermes 1980s silk bomber jacket, price unknown; Self-Portrait mini dress, £270
A rose-tinted perspective of Paris: The Pink Fendi blouse, spring 2000 Collection with Versace vintage abstract marine-life print.
Perfectly wrapped: Rotate Birger Christensen pink bow dress, £329