I first read about Lisa Muscinesi a year back when the street style site Nast did a profile on her and her style, and I remember loving the sort of the ’70s-ish things she wore and also wishing like anything that I were the kind of person who could pull off wearing little dresses in such a casual chic way. If I’d paid more attention in college French classes I would have learned that she has a store in Paris called Cancan that’s full of wonderful things from wonderful labels like Sretsis and Minimarket and Carin Wester.
Plus she might be one of the nicest fashion people I’ve met so far! She was nice enough to take the time and answer some questions for the blog . . .
1. How would you describe yourself and what you do?
A parisian woman with mediterranean roots, who has 2 beautiful daughters, a store in Paris (opened march 2009), an online store (may 2010) and a passion for travelling (a trip around the world for 2 years in 2000/2001).
2. What made you want to open up a shop?
In France, between the very expensive designers’ stores (Colette, Maria Luisa) and the mass-market stores (H&M, Zara, New Look), you have many mid-range brands, which all look alike so much, let’s say “very inspired by the parisian Isabel Marant look”. I got personally a bit tired of this style (although it’s pretty much admired abroad !). There are very few interesting multi-brand stores here and that’s why I decided to open my own with the idea of selling edgy, original and affordable items.
3. What inspires you and the way you dress?
I would say that my word, although it may appear a bit out of fashion, is Glamour. I’ve always worn bodycon and high waisted clothes, anything that would enhance feminity. But the inspiration can come from so many different things : Burlesque, Courrèges 60′s style, Woodstock hippie style… I’m definitely not into one very specific style.
4. How do you go about choosing what to buy for your shop?
I always try to find brands which have a very unique style. Their collections should be orignal, well cut, high quality and reasonably-priced. Many conditions, not so easy to find !
5. Do you have a favorite fashion film?
Lately my boyfriend, who is a Nanni Moretti fan, made me watch his movie called Bianca (1984) and I was really amazed by the beauty and style of the main actress, Laura Morante. She wears very simple and unglamorous dresses and jackets and she is so classy and fascinating. You can easily understand why the main character is obsessed with her ( a story of “”voyeurism” with all the absurdity of Nanni Moretti’s movies).
6. Which decade(s) in fashion history inspires you the most?
I really couldn’t choose one. I like high waisted pencil skirts from the 50′s, short trapeze dresses from the 60′s, fringed shawls from the 70′s, Thierry Mugler’s agressive style from the 80′s… My inspiration is definitely inter-decades (!).
7. What are your favorite things in your shop for this season?
I love to wear myself the following items : the silk printed dress by Stine Goya , the preppy blouse by Camilla Norrback, the high-waisted skirt and crop top by Carin Wester , the shoulder ruffles fierce jacket by Ida Sjostedt, the 60′s inspired structured dress by Minimarket , the girly peplum dress by Sretsis , the crop knit tops by Warmi, the batik frou frou skirt by Carin Wester .
8. What styles are you looking forward to wearing next season?
I can’t wait to receive the new collections and to wear : Antipodum crop tees and skater skirts (pictured below), Minimarket long printed aztec coats, Ida Sjostedt long fur coats, beautiful printed dresses by Louise Amstrup, El Delgado Buil coloured leopard knits, Warmi hoods, long sequin jackets by Something Else, Shakuhachi cut-out dresses, long oversized cape coats and chunky knits from Stine Goya (pictured below).
Photos . . . . . 1: Lisa Muscinesi in her shop; 2. the outside of CanCan; Lisa photographed by Sophie Arancio for Nast; 3. a scene from Biana; 4. looks by Carin Wester and Sretsis in the CanCan shop; 5. Fall 2010 looks by Stine Goya and Antipodium.
28 Comments
She looks a lot like Alexa Chung
Rhiannon, you are finding some of the most interesting women to interview!! I love this new series. Lisa is incredible. I love that she’s a mix of decades and styles. No one thing defines her. ;)
Lulu Letty
Thanks, I’m so glad you’re enjoying these interviews! I’m having such a good time doing them. I learn so much!
Two great! websites, hers and yours.
Loved reading this interview. Lisa is a fascinating and inspiring woman.
That was really interesting. She seems intelligent and well spoken, with real inspiration that’s not connected to current trends. I like this new series of yours. It’s full of people I’ve never heard of!
the still from the Bianca movie is beautiful, i have to hunt it down now. LOVE the interview!
xo s
you never failed us to give such awesome post..like this..thanks
oh ill check it..thanks a lot
I love this interviews you’re making! You seem to find the most interesting people and I love learning from them.
Loved reading that she stocks clothes from El Delgado Buil, that’s a very great team of Spanish designers that I have to admit that I like.
what a lovely interview. interesting one <3
thinking maybe someday I can do an interview like this one :)
La Petit Poucet
Just wanted to say I’m really enjoying the interviews you’ve been doing! :)
♥ Casey
blog | elegantmusings.com
hey all, Keep up the good work. very informative, and love all the information provided. I love everything i have read so far :)
You’re absolutely right!
Hands down, Apple’s app store wins by a mile. It’s a huge selection of all sorts of apps vs a rather sad selection of a handful for Zune. Microsoft has plans, especially in the realm of games, but I’m not sure I’d want to bet on the future if this aspect is important to you. The iPod is a much better choice in that case.
Blogroll links aint that incredibly :P but i’m not the admin… :P … Just Telling
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What a great resource!
Have you ever considered adding more videos to your blog posts to keep the readers more entertained? I mean I just read through the entire article of yours and it was quite good but since I’m more of a visual learner,I found that to be more helpful well let me know how it turns out!
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Way to go, Good luck on completing the project. – Drop me a visit at my replica watch store sometime!
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