From Paris to London with Sézane
A conversation on style across two cities with founder Morgane Sézalory
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From Paris to London with Sézane
A conversation on style across two cities with founder Morgane Sézalory
Arguably, no brand epitomises contemporary Parisian style quite like Sézane. With a focus on high-quality, timeless pieces, savoir faire and storytelling, founder Morgane Sézalory has crafted a brand that celebrates the city of light and its renowned style heritage.
As Sézane brings a touch of Paris into Liberty, we spoke to Morgane about the styles and secrets of the two cities, and the story of how her French fashion house charmed the world.
In Conversation With: Morgane Sézalory
How would you describe the aesthetic and ethos of Sézane?
I created Sézane from a love for vintage and perfectly cut clothes that make us feel like our true selves when wearing them. Since the beginning, we’ve put quality and beautiful design at the heart of our Collections, as we want everyone to wear their Sézane pieces for a lifetime.
I’m often asked, ‘What’s the secret behind French girl style? '. My answer is always the same: high-quality, perfectly cut pieces that can be worn every day. Think of that perfect, crisp white shirt that’s slightly oversized and always makes you feel put together. That’s why we created our Sézane Essentials. Every season, we bring them back in new colours, perfected cuts, and materials, as we truly believe that they will never go out of style.
Bien sûr, as Sézane has grown over the years, we’ve ventured into more daring, trend-driven styles and a range of accessories. But these pieces will always be designed to complement and refresh our beloved Sézane classics.
What does Parisian style mean to you?
I like to think that the streets of Paris are the greatest catwalk. Home to endless culture, it’s this beautiful city and the women I encounter who inspire me the most. As Paris is a relatively small city, people often wear the same outfit to the office to meet their friends ‘en terrace’ after work. So, I would say Parisian style can be very easy and laidback. But it can also be creative and a means of expression. As I say, I love taking inspiration from the women of Paris, as you can discover endless styles and aesthetics.
What three items (or more) would you say are essential for capturing the Parisian aesthetic?
I find Parisian style is about stripping it back and returning to unfussy basics that work every time. I’ll always have a perfectly cut shirt that I can easily dress up or down depending on the occasion, curve-hugging jeans that fit like a second skin, and, for accessories, a cute neck scarf, or foulard as we like to call it in French, and a touch of red lipstick on the lips and cheeks. My power outfit is also a good pair of jeans and trusty heels I can wear all day.
Why do you think Parisian style has captured the attention of the world? What makes it so special?
I think the Parisian style and aesthetic we know and love today come from the '60s, especially from films. In French, we say ‘coquette,’ which means a little bit flirty, and I think this encapsulates the slightly insouciant nature of Parisian style. You know, the stereotypical Parisian look: effortlessly chic pieces, minimal make-up (apart from a red lip), somewhat messy hair that still looks perfect… It’s an aesthetic that even Parisians love, but I feel like these days we’re reinventing this style with our interpretations, going beyond what the 60s gave us.
What is your favourite area of Paris, and why? Any hidden gems to share?
The 7th arrondissement is close to my heart. It’s home to our Sézane studio, where the magic happens… On the same street, an office favourite is Le Bac à Glaces. It serves fresh sorbet made from natural ingredients and tasty crêpes —the perfect afternoon goûter (snack) during a busy day. Just around the corner is Aoyama Flower Market, a Japanese florist that treats every flower as a rare delicacy.
I wouldn’t say it’s a hidden gem, but Les Puces de Saint Ouen is a must-visit vintage market on the outskirts of Paris. It’s the perfect place for one-of-a-kind pieces of furniture and art, which sparked my love of hunting for vintage treasure.
Ateliers, savoir-faire, and craftsmanship are crucial to the brand – how does this come through in each collection?
Every Sézane piece is imagined and designed in our studio by my talented teams, led by Irène, Lisa, Marine, Nina, Marie-Andrée, Anne-Sophie, Maria, Adeline, and Carol. We imagine every Collection as a new art exhibition, from the colour palette to the composition of details, right up to the final alterations… The team then works closely with our longstanding partner ateliers to bring each piece to life with carefully considered craftsmanship. We see our pieces as works of art, and each detail expresses the rich savoir-faire of our Parisian studio and partners.
What do you think are the biggest similarities and differences between Parisian and London style? Do you see Londoners wearing Sézane in a different way to the Parisians?
I love seeing how woman from around the world wear our creations and how they infuse their own unique style into each piece. I find that Londoners love colour and are a little braver with new trends than Parisians… You really inspired us to take more fashion risks and embrace slightly crazier trends.
What similarities do you see between Liberty’s aesthetic/ethos and Sézane’s? Why do the two suit each other?
I’ve always admired Liberty, home to boundless inspiration, the greatest artisans, and free-spirited thinkers. It’s everything we hope Sézane is: a universe of endless creativity.
London has always had a special place in my heart, as my sister called it home for many years. When visiting her, I’d always pop into Liberty, searching for inspiration from its distinct and thoughtful curation of brands and the beautiful pieces showcased.
Our exclusive pop-up experience allows two like-minded creative moments to return to their roots and express our commitment to savoir-faire, cutting-edge design, and beautiful materials and prints that transcend trends.
What are some of your must-visit places on your visits to London?
Wandering through a city's streets is my idea of exploring it. This is how I first discovered Marylebone, home to our London flagship store. I love its restaurants and shops, like La Fromagerie—a taste of home with a British twist.
Morgane's Three New Season Must-Haves
"This is the Sézane bag of the season. I love it because it’s spacious enough to carry my laptop, notebooks, my girls’ toys and books, and the endless pieces of inspiration that I collect from my travels, exhibitions, etc."
"I’ve always been obsessed with red. It’s such a vibrant, punchy colour, perfect on our softer-than-soft Emile jumper. We love it so much at Sézane that we created an XL version for the Liberty windows…"
"Our Paula Mary Janes are a twist on the ‘60s classic. Elegant and feminine, they are also great for walking everywhere! They go with everything, especially dresses, jeans, and our Auguste jacket."
