Model Clémentine Desseaux Is Over the Myth That All French Women Are Naturally Thin

In honor of Bastille Day, Yahoo Style and Yahoo Beauty are examining what it means to be a “French girl” — the myths, fantasies, and realities that all help define that certain je ne sais quoi. What’s vrai, what’s faux, and what’s a total faux pas? Read on.

A day at the beach with Clémentine Desseaux. (Photo: Bonjourclem/Instagram)

Clémentine Desseaux is arguably one of the most prominent models of the moment. You may recognize the freckled-face stunner from this video Christian Louboutin uploaded to their Instagram account last December of Desseaux wearing the brand’s highly coveted lipsticks. Or you may have spotted her in this New York Times article, published earlier this month, alongside other “curvy” models who refuse to be ignored by the beauty industry.

Desseaux doesn’t fit into the stereotypical mold of what a French woman looks like (read: thin). But that hasn’t deterred the 28-year-old from stepping into her own and refusing to be boxed in by societal labels.

Now this is how you throw shade. (Photo: Bonjourclem/Instagram)

The world got a glimpse of her bravado back in 2011, when Desseaux became the first “plus-size” woman to appear on French TV in a Castaluna clothing commercial. She proudly flaunted her curves, dancing seductively in an LBD and bodysuit. The Toulouse-born beauty says that personal and professional highlight was a “big step and fashion has been slowly more inclusive in France since then.” Yet, diversity of sizes or color is still a taboo in France.

“Not all of us are just naturally thin and pretty with cool bed hair,” Desseaux told Yahoo Beauty. “A lot of work goes into négligé chic, and most women in France are over a size 10! Don’t be fooled by clichés.”

Lobster rolls and laughs. (Photo: Bonjourclem/Instagram)

Desseaux continues to reshape people’s perceptions of French women and their style by appearing on the covers of international fashion glossies and through her personal blog, Bonjour Clem.

But don’t think for one second that she’s lost grasp of her French roots. “Now that I live abroad, I realize how much I appreciate all things French and our culture and lifestyle,” said Desseaux. “I love that most of us are free spirited, independent women, educated and cultured. I like our sense of style and our way of not caring about much.”

While Desseaux counts her mom (“She always was the coolest chick and the most daring one”) and Caroline de Maigret (“She is super natural, funky, and rock ’n’ roll, which is pretty much the perfect mix!”) as her French style icons, she has a fond appreciation for women like Iris Apfel, who can pull off an array of colors and prints all at once. “You don’t have to be born French to be a French woman; if you’re cool enough, you’ll earn it!” says Desseaux.

As far as her beauty mantra, it’s pretty simple. “Be kind, be you.” And that’s a one-size-fits-all slogan that we can all apply to our lives.

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