PARIS-In the late 18th century, the Green Fairy, a very strong aromatic alcohol made with a bitter tasting herb, also known as Absinthe, was a source of inspiration to many great authors and artists living in Montmartre.
For the Paris issue, we met a modern version of the Green Fairy, the much-followed creator of the Blog « Cuillère à Absinthe ». With her boyish style, mischievous air, blond hair and her very special and gracious way of moving in front of the camera, Typhaine Augusto inspires many fashion lovers and designers. This Parisian fairy is as inspiring but is thankfully far less harmful than the sometimes lethal green beverage.
As it is with many Parisians, Typhaine Augusto is not a Parisian native. After finishing her photography studies, Tiphaine moved from the south of France to take advantage of the opportunities and energy offered by the French capital. Working as a stylist, a photographer and a fashion blogger, her heart now belongs to Montmartre, where BACO’s Paris Correspondent Marianne Dorell met her for a photoshoot and to study up close the magic of Typhaine’s style.
Her style: “It is always evolving. When I was younger, I was in a kind of vintage bohème phase. Now I feel better in a more urban and refined style, with a touch of sportwear. The only constant in my style is that I don’t dress in order to seduce or look more beautiful.
I like to experiment and feel comfortable. When, on rare occasions, I have dressed to look “pretty”, I felt very strange and lost my self-confidence because I felt crushed by social expectations of feminity that don’t correspond to mine. People looked at me differently, I felt strange, like an object. That’s why I feel so much better in male clothes, because they have a non sexual aspect that gives me freedom and allows me to forget the constraints of my gender.”
Favourite look: “A LOT of navy blue, stripes, raw jeans that aren’t washed out, white sneakers. My look vary around these basics – without ever forgetting my favourite black hat!”
About vintage: “Between 17 and 21, I had a passionate relationship with vintage clothes. It was at first the cheapest solution to satisfy my fashion urge and to construct my style. But then, I started to really appreciate vintage: I loved to search and locate the one great piece hiding amongst many others. It’s the treasure hunt spirit that really got me! I used to find skirts with the most crazy prints & the most unique shoes…
But then, I got tired of buying crazy clothes, just because they looked unique. My closet was full of beautiful pieces that I never wore. I suffered from the « FOMO » syndrome: Fear of Missing Out!
I sold most of my clothes and I tried to avoid flea markets or thrift stores because I knew I would not be able to restrain myself.”
Favourite style period: “I find the sixties very aesthetic but there is a “girly” aspect that doesn’t work for me. And wearing dresses all the time is just not my cup of tea. I would have liked to be in my twenties in 1994!
Icons: “Along with my changing style, I change icons depending on my different stages. Lastly, Debbie Harry’s style from her younger years fascinates me and also that of Olly Alexander, the singer from Years & Years.
I am also a big fan of Alexa Chung, Tavi Gevinson and Leandra Medine. These « mentors » have helped me to accept and assume my “mixed feminity,” as I like to call it.”
Designers: It took me actually a very long time to develop a strong interest in fashion: when you are constantly rummaging through vintage stores, you don’t really care about trends!
But now I really appreciate Céline, The Row, as well as the latest collections from Michael Kors, Acne and APC.
I am also very interested in the unisex aspect of clothes – notably from by the designer Amish Boyish.”
What is it that you like about Montmartre ?
“Montmartre inspires me a lot. It is a bubble in the city, a kind of waltz between Paris’ “cut-throat” past and its growing “bobo” scene (the infamous Bourgeois-Bohème movement invading Paris !). I love this mix because I never feel oppressed by snobbish attitudes nor that I am living in a “dead” area. There is a constant buzz with the flow of tourists visiting from all the world, everything is open on Sundays and just walking around is the equivalent of a sport session.
I feel more from Montmartre than from Paris!”
BACO: Who is the Parisian for you?
“I am still fascinated by this concept! She is very multifaceted. The one living in the 16th arrondissement is different from the one living in the 3rd …
For me, the fantasy Parisian is born in Paris. This is actually very rare! I must say that the temperament of the ones that grew up in the capital is very particular, a mix of nonchalance and confidence.”
ALSO IN THE PARIS ISSUE: Video Special: Romain Brau and Kevin Auger’s Bygone Beauties, Donia Allegue’s House of Turban’s, Ex Nihilo’s Personalized Perfumes, BACO Style: French Blogger Typhaine Augusto, Marian Eeeckhout: Recycling with Style
