Fiona Khalifa's FPQ
M Le Monde's Fashion Market Editor on nail polish dos and don'ts
If you are lucky to have a pal whose taste you trust implicitly enough to have them on fit-check speed-dial, you will understand the importance of Fiona Khalifa’s role in my life. That is, aside from being a lovely person and great friend, obv.
Fiona also happens to be Fashion Market Editor of what I consider one of France’s most consequential magazines of the past decade. And she has had a sizeable role to play in its reign: Fiona has worked for M Le Monde for the past thirteen years and counting. As a Le Monde newspaper weekend supplement, M has managed to capture a specific space where the worlds of culture, fashion and some seriously solid reporting collide seamlessly.
In her role as Market Editor, it’s Fiona’s job to have eyes everywhere. A young, involved mom of two, Fiona still manages to attend a frankly mind-blowing number of shows, presentations and events (her presence is in non-negotiable demand) and is a constant fount of knowledge for what’s new—or coming— be it homeware, accessories, art or societal trends in general. She knows all, is bathed in it, yet her style is sure and unwavering. Fiona also has a mean eye for still life styling and photography. The objects in the shoots she styles for the pages of M seem to come alive and communicate an engaging tale of their own—no model needed.
Who better, then, to be our first FPQ interviewee of the fall/winter season?
What is your idea of a perfect outfit?
A leather jacket over a T-shirt or round-neck knit with raw, slightly oversized denim over boots. My go-to for every occasion.
Fiona wears a vintage leather jacket, Molli snood, and soeur handbag What is your greatest fashion fear?
Wearing something that doesn’t suit me just because it’s in fashion.
What, in hindsight, is the worst outfit you’ve ever worn?
Tight, asymmetric tops with see-through bra straps showing as a teenager. Terrible.
What is the worst outfit you’ve ever seen on someone else?
Any entirely monogrammed total look.
Which living person’s style do you most admire?
Miuccia Prada.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Wearing slightly insane evening shoes, be they very colourful or entirely bejewelled.
What is your current state of mind with regards to the fashion industry?
Too many runway shows, too many collections.
What do you consider the most overrated style virtue?
Nails that are too long. To me, this is the opposite of chic. When I see all these stars showing off super-long, wacky-coloured nails, I just don’t get it. I wouldn’t even be able to type on my phone with those things!
On what occasion do you lie about someone’s outfit?
When I don’t know the person well enough — I don’t have much of a filter around my friends!!!
What is the quality you like most in a man’s outfit?
I love men in turtle necks. I do not know why.
What is the quality you like most in a woman’s outfit?
When you see that she is wearing perfect-quality materials without having to touch them. You can wear two white T-shirts with exactly the same cut, but it’s the quality that makes all the difference (this obviously applies to menswear too.)
Which fashion trend do you most despise?
Platforms, crop tops, and big hoops.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse when describing fashion?
“C'est très cool ça" (it’s very cool, that.)
Which runway collection in history was your greatest love?
Marc Jacobs’s last collection for Louis Vuitton at the Louvre in 2013. It was a very memorable moment for me: very strong, with a dark set design.
When were you happiest with your own look?
No idea, but I’m sure it was a time I was dressed by a designer for an event… it’s a bit like slipping into character.
Which designer’s talent would you most like to have?
The power of Phoebe Philo during her Celine era.
If you could change one thing about your wardrobe, what would it be?
A real one..Lol.
What do you consider your greatest achievement, career-wise (so far!)
Staying creative after thirteen years at the same magazine (!)
If you were to die and come back as a fashion item, what would it be?
A big cashmere coat. Soft, enveloping and reassuring.
Where on earth do you get the most style inspiration?
In the streets and in bars but I also love looking at street style photos!
What is your most treasured possession?
A khaki leather jacket by Nicolas Ghesquiere for Balenciaga. I don’t wear it anymore but I wore it a ton when I was twenty and I’ll keep it forever as a souvenir of that period of my life.
What do you consider the lowest depth of fashion rock-bottom (ie. Karl’s sweatpants)
Birkenstock clogs. They’re OK to go to the boulangerie or the park but please, not any further!!!
What is your favourite fashion-related occupation?
Going to the shows in Milan and Paris.
What is your most marked style characteristic?
Leather clothing. It’s my favourite material. I instantly feel better when I put it on. It’s like a kind of armour.
Leather trousers by The Label Edition Who are your favourite fashion writers?
Joan Didion. I love her writing style but also her allure. I still remember those photos of her at the beach with a patchwork skirt that matched her daughter’s.
Who is your style hero in fiction?
Rachel Green. I watched Friends a lot and while I loved Phoebe’s character, I was a big fan of Rachel’s style.
Which historical figure’s style do you most identify with?
Probably Caroline Bessette Kennedy as people tell me I look like her! (Yay!)
Which individual that you know (or have known) personally most influenced your style?
My paternal grandmother. She was very coquettish, continued wearing pumps into her eighties, had a big crocodile bag collection (which she converted me to) and could manage put on nail polish just before leaving the house, keys in hand! I now realise I do this often.
What would you like to wear to your own funeral?
My wedding ring.
What is your style motto?
Style counts more than fashion.
Loved this one — tres chic answers!
Another great one!