Cecile Clarke - Round 2




Fashion is very important to young people in France, after all it is the country where 'haute couture' originated and many of the great couture houses are based here in Paris. The bi-annual Paris Fashion Week draws many people and most young people look at the trends for the upcoming season. As most of us cannot afford designer label prices it helps us pick colours, styles and looks from the high street yet remain on trend. French women love to look good and everyday clothes, even though 'casual', are generally fitted, flattering and stylish, especially jeans.



The look I have gone for here is very 'red carpet'. Long hair is often tied up in a french plait or twist. This season the 'French Twist' is very popular, especially as several actresses at the Golden Globes wore their hair this way. Evening eye make-up is usually smokey and sultry, preferably with eyeliner. Lip colours can be bright and adventurous but usually glossy too. It's a look which is utterly timeless.



The 1920s were a very exciting time for women in France. Firstly there was uproar when many women started cutting their long hair and sporting a short 'bob'. Out of the window went the corsets and full skirts and the inspirational Coco Chanel brought us 'the little black dress'. OK so it wasn't as little as modern LBDs but it was sexy, stylish and maybe even a little scandalous. I dream of being as innovative and trend-setting as she was.



French people are very sociable and family-orientated. We like nothing better than getting together for a meal and chatting through the evening with some good food, wine and company. The picture was taken at my favourite restaurant, overlooking Paris, with some of my friends.

France does have its problems, they are fairly similar in that respect to its neighbouring countries. Massive immigration during times of growth has meant that now, with the downturn in the economy there is high unemployment and people are struggling to make ends meet. I'm sure you saw images across the world of the riots in 2005. There have been more since, all around the country. A U.N. report last year cited a 'notable resurgence in racism and xenophobia' within the country but unfortunately the outsider often makes an easy scapegoat in today's society, not only in France.