French-girl style isn’t relegated to Paris. Each region within the country offers its own take on style, and on the French Caribbean island of Martinique, classicism and ease merge to create a look that’s just as notable for its effortlessness. For Karly Loyce, the Martinican model who serves as the face of Céline, the appeal has as much to do with the idyllic location as the clothes. “Well, I think we have the sun!” said Loyce during a visit to Vogue.com. “People there really dress to express their personality.” Dressing with flair comes naturally for Loyce, whose artful ensembles have since caught the attention of street style photographers. Often mixing pieces from her travels with the latest from the sleek houses she represents, Loyce’s model-off-duty gear features the prerequisite leather jacket and jeans alongside more adventurous fare, like culottes, jumpsuits, and floor-grazing maxi skirts.
To create the eclectic mix she prefers, Loyce shops high and low, a trip to a fast-fashion chain often proving as fruitful as time spent in luxurious boutiques. “I don’t have a special store, because you can find everything everywhere now, you just have to be open to trying different places,” says Loyce. “It’s trial and error, if I see something that I think might work for me I just try it on . . . you never know.” Inspired by the creativity she sees backstage during fashion month, Loyce pushes herself to explore the latest trends, especially when she can recreate the looks with pieces that already exist in her closet. “You put what you have already with something new, and you create a mix based on what you think you can wear and what is happening right now,” says Loyce, whose personal fashion philosophy is all things nonchalant. “People talk about the French chic, but it’s totally different in Martinique—with fashion you just have to do your own thing.”
For Loyce, doing her own thing often means stocking up on staples; a perfect pair of vintage jeans, the right little Céline bag and her latest obsession, Saint Laurent’s versatile ankle boots. “I’ve been wearing them with everything,” says Loyce. “They’re amazing and so comfortable, definitely the one thing I’m happy to have bought lately.” Though she shops internationally, there’s one thing Paris can’t be beaten for—the prices. “It’s better to buy clothes in Paris—so much less expensive! When I was younger, I’d go to France once a year and I bought all my clothes there.”
The post Forget Paris! Why Martinique Should Be Your New Source for French Style Inspiration appeared first on Vogue.
