Say what you will of Emily Cooper (of Emily in Paris)’s dress sense – take the pieces from her busy ensembles apart, and you’ll find that the individual components are hidden gems. One such example is that ruffled, cornflower-blue high low hem dress seen on the character in season 2 of Emily in Paris when she visits the seaside town of St Tropez. It’s quite apt that the dress was designed by Magali Pascal, a French-born designer who definitely knows everything about designing for a holiday-perfect lifestyle.
Pascal was born and raised in Paris, but she eventually relocated to Bali in 2002 and ended up staying there – these days she splits her time between Paris, Australia and Bali, with the latter being her base throughout the past 20 years.
She whips up airy dresses and separates with just the right amount of feminine flou – they nod to the island-living lifestyle of Bali without being overtly hippie; a relaxed sense of polish remains. The notion in popular culture of the effortlessly chic French girl is a cliché but looking at the easy elegance of Pascal’s designs, it’s not hard to see why the image endures. Below, we chat with the French designer, whose namesake label is a new addition to SocietyA this season.
Hello Magali, how would you describe the label and its aesthetic to someone who’s new to it?
“Modern femininity; from classically feminine shapes featuring open back designs, lace details, and floral or abstract prints, to structured styles inspired by utility wear, my designs are created for women that define their own version of femininity.”
You were born and raised in Paris but eventually came to settle in Bali for a long time – why Bali in the first place? What is it about Bali that fascinates you?
“My designs are truly a reflection of me; inspired by the people around me, and the places I travel to. Pre-pandemic I would travel often between Paris and Australia, and Bali was always my base, which I think is very much reflected in my designs – there is an element of the Parisian je ne sais quoi in my collections, and styles that also embody the resort lifestyle we lead in Bali.
I would also say that living and working in Bali has encouraged me to move to a more conscious approach to design and production. Our collections are cut from mostly all natural fibers, including silks, cottons, and linens, and we are constantly trying to reduce our production waste, finding sustainable solutions for excess fabrics.
For SS22 I had to travel mentally instead of physically, as restrictions and lockdowns were still in place, however the Parisian flare is webbed throughout this collection, from the lace detailing, delicate floral prints, cut-out embroidery, along with the understated denim styles for pairing.”
What are some motifs that are constantly present throughout your collections, regardless of the seasons?
“Floral prints in a fresh color palette as well as cut-out embroidery in unique patterns have quickly become signature to the brand. Our motifs are designed in-house which I think makes them even more special.”
What would we never find in a Magali Pascal collection?
“Virgin polyester! Not only do I dislike the feel of polyester, there is no way for this synthetic fiber to be broken down or to decompose.”
Tell us more about your Spring/Summer 2022 collection – what is it about and what sparked off the designing process?
“Drawing inspiration from Bianca Jagger, the queen of Studio 54, the SS22 collection focuses on traditional shapes reimagined for bold, modern day femininity. From signature shirting with dramatic lapel collars, to statement wide legged pants paired with lace brassieres, the collection reflects on the hedonism of Jagger’s disco days.
For this season Magali explored craftsmanship and artisanal techniques, embracing the texture of imperfection, debuting new crochet and knit techniques applied to retro-infused shapes.”
What are some of your own favourite pieces from this collection and why have you selected them?
“The Adrienne Dress in the Japanese Garden print is one of my favorites pieces from the collection; the workmanship and signature ruffle details truly embody the brand, and I like that this piece can be styled for day or night. The Birkin Jeans are also one of my favorite styles from the collection – the braiding detail around the waistband make these jeans unique, and the flared cut is so flattering. I also love wearing the Aurelia Shirt in the stripe – this shape has been a best-selling shape season after season. The fit is flattering with a deep V neck and full length sleeves and can be worn tucked in or hanging loose. It’s definitely my go-to piece from the collection.”
Shop the Magali Pascal range here