Olympia Taittinger wears Stephane Rolland Haute Couture Spring 2017. Styled by Jacques Burga
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House of Taittinger was started by Pierre Taittinger in 1932 and from 1960 its champagne is renowned in the whole world. The family is historically famed by her past involvement in french politics and famous luxury businesses that included Hotels such as “le Crillon”, “le Lutetia” and “le Martinez” and Baccarat Crystal. In the present day, the name Taittinger is always associated with elegance, refinement and distinction.
Olympia Taittinger is a bubbly sixteen-year-old lady from this eponymous Champagne dynasty named Taittinger. She’s aso Chanel Haute Couture Debutante this year, at the hottest “le Bal Paris“. Today, Paris Social Diary pays honor to her favourite Haute Couture designers in Paris in a unique fashion story.
ABOUT OLYMPIA
Paris Social Diary: How are you this week?
Olympia: Good and thrilled as I have just finished an incredible photoshoot in Paris with my favourite designers. It could not have been better. The stylist Isabelle Peyrut and the photograph Alexia Silvagni have selected key couture pieces from the new Spring/Summer collection in pink tones and shades.
Olympia Taittinger wears Stephane Rolland Haute Couture Spring 2017. Styled by Jacques Burga
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Paris Social Diary: How would you describe yourself? And what about your personal style?
Olympia: My teachers and my friends joke a lot about my bottomless levels of enthusiasm. I am rather positive indeed and energetic. These traits are reflected in my personal style: I like clean and feminine wear.
I have learned from my mistakes and purchase a mix of both. Right now I love any logo shirts. Chanel has just send me their new one and I cherish it. I love jumpers such as Topshop or Bella Freud’s. Sneakers from Golden Goose or Stan Smith, skinny jeans from -surprise, surprise- Topshop.
To me, the epitome of luxury is to not try too hard. I usually read glossies and tear them apart at the fashion pages. I then blue tack the separate sheets on the inside of my cupboard doors as a mood board!
Paris Social Diary: How would you describe French style?
Olympia: French style is notoriously understated —you would look like a tart looking too done. The best example to give you is the way my grandmother used her Hermes bag; she would use it nonchalantly as a carry all, even as a beach bag or grocery bag.
She hated the fact that people could forget how to use the bag as a piece of equipment. Jane Birkin herself used to put good old tourist stickers on her own Hermes bag. I love it.
Olympia Taittinger wears Stephane Rolland Haute Couture Spring 2017. Styled by Jacques Burga
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Paris Social Diary: What do you think about the Fashion Industry today? Are you interested in any other industry?
Olympia: French are renowned for their fashion industry, their extraordinary craftsmanship and fashion is an important source of wealth for our economy.
It attracts so many tourists as well! There are so many talented designers that I wish to meet and deserve to be recognized this side of the channel. Emilia Wickstead is one of them, Ashley williams, Gareth Pugh… I hope they will get their time in the spotlight as well.
As a young eye, I can only start to appreciate the amount of work that lies behind each creation and the amount of work that was requested behind each detail. I would love to spend more time in the secret of the ateliers.
I can never stop thinking at the “petites mains” behind any embroidery or sequins. I recognize that I am very privileged by my family acquaintances to meet directly with the designers. I have so much respect for them that I can’t call them by their first names although my mother does.
Of course you cannot expect a 16 years old to wear haute couture or designer clothes daily but I can spot a good quality item a mile away. My other industry of interest is photography- and charity work: an important part of my life.
Olympia Taittinger wears Alexis Mabille Haute Couture Spring 2017. Styled by Jacques Burga
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ABOUT EDUCATION & LIFESTYLE
Paris Social Diary: What are studying? And why?
Olympia: I am studying in London and I have a keen interest in business and management. I will try to get a degree in economics and then plan to do an MBA abroad. However philanthropy will always be a pillar of my life: I have been travelling in Asia since birth and have strong links with India and Nepal where I just opened a dispensary in august. l guess you could say my life oscillates between two extremes.
Paris Social Diary: How does it feel to be one of the cutest girls on Bal de Debutantes de Paris?
Olympia: ¡I’m so flatered! Being invited to be a debutante was a wonderful news. I felt that the fairy godmother Ophelie Renouard has picked a handful of funny, switched on and admirable girls. We have developed amazing bonds in less than 24 hours. For “le Bal” you can choose your designer, but it was important to me to have a French one.
I secretly wanted Chanel Haute Couture and did not dare to ask, so Ophelie has asked me to send them excellent pictures of me- they were taken on the same night after school and unplanned- There is no doubt that, for this opportunity, I tried very very hard to look like a Chanel Girl.
The next day, I learned that Karl Lagerfeld picked me. However, I am certain that he must have had a good laugh seeing these pictures. Maybe he had pity!
Olympia Taittinger wears Georges Hoebka Haute Couture Spring 2017. Styled by Jacques Burga
Paris Social Diary: What did you wear and why? Who helped you?
Olympia: We had two fittings and the organizers of “Le Bal” and Chanel Haute Couture all had their say but they let me decide the last choice. It was a wonderful experience and all that for a very good cause since “Le Bal” is a charity event.
This year we raised even more money for “Seleni Institute”and “Enfants d’Asie” than the previous years, so this is something we could all be very proud of.
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Paris Social Diary: What is your dream job? What would you like to do for a job?
Olympia: I have so many ideas. Detective? Spy? Firefighter? Photographer or professional princess? I would like to work in big luxury brands as a PR or in marketing. I am already working hard to make this goal come true: As we say, “the early bird catches the worm”. Instead of going on holidays, I have a few internships lined up for the next few months in big fashion houses.
Olympia Taittinger wears Stephane Rolland Haute Couture Spring 2017. Styled by Jacques Burga
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ABOUT THE FUTURE
Paris Social Diary: What is your biggest dream?
Olympia: My biggest dream would be to understand all the languages. —How easy would that be to travel the world and get to understand and be understood by everyone!
PING-PONG QUESTIONS
Favorite designer: There is a long list but to name but a few would be Stephane Rolland, Alexis Mabille, Georges Hobeika, and of course, Chanel who has a special place in my heart.
Favorite restaurant in Paris: Rebellato and le petit Lutetia. Hotel Costes for the magnificent saumon fumé.
Paris or London?: Paris AND London! I can’t choose between these two cities.
Heels or boots?: Heels, heels, heels unapologetically. I am still waiting for Nike to do a great pair of running shoes with heels!
Olympia Taittinger wears Alexis Mabille Haute Couture Spring 2017. Styled by Jacques Burga
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Favorite item on your closet and why?: A vintage fake leopard coat and my first little black dress that I used on so many occasions. A bit of lace goes a long way.
Rive gauche or Rive droite and why?: Rive gauche for all the good reasons and the bad ones, the museums, the galleries but also the cafe, nightlife and shopping…
Pearls or Diamonds?: Diamonds and pearls and rubies and sapphires! Why limit yourself?
A dog or a boyfriend?: Both! But you have got to know that I have extremely high expectations when it comes to dogs.
