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Roxane Mesquida: Midway Between Femme Fatale and Femme Enfant

06 Feb 2012

Roxane Mesquida is the latest French girl making her mark on either side of the pond. Seen here working with photographer Mary Rozzi to produce photographs which, as Mesquida puts it ‘are some of the best of [her] career’, Pascale Barget embarks on the latest Decode the Look while trying to dig a little deeper. Who is this new French temptress?

Who? Roxane Mesquida, born in Marseille back in October 1981 to later become today’s French it girl. Little did she know that being spotted by director, Manuel Prada for his film Marie Baie des Anges (1997) would spark off her acting career. Fast-forward to today, her list of achievements has grown ten fold; a modeling career, a host of controversial independent films including À Ma Soeur and Sex is Comedy directed by Catherin Breillat and a move to LA allowing her secure her latest role as Béatrice Grimaldi in Season 5 of fashionista’s favourite TV sitcom, Gossip Girl.

What did she wear?  The shoot by Mary Rozzi, sees Mesquida sporting a look she is all too familiar with – striking confidence mixed with sensuality; tight leather jackets, hot pants and mini dresses as well as shoes by Jerome Rousseau represent the essence of this seductive temptress. When coupled with the distance she keeps from her public, her individual style evokes a sense of mystery, which allows her to get away with anything. No, she is definitely not your average Frenchie. She often exchanges traditional blacks and greys with waves of colour and has the audacity to flaunt her curves rather than cover them up. Her dark locks are often pulled back in a high top pony and mixed with Lolita inspired outfits and a pair of stilettos. One also can’t forget those perfect lips, immaculately lined and full. The result: a more flirtatious version of the 60s baby doll.

What did it mean?  In the realm of plentiful Mariannes there’s no doubt she’s the modern version of the infamous femme fatale - the attractive seductress who brings disaster to any man who dares get involved. Her style is miles from the femme enfant cuteness of France Gall, the singer who made her mark on the French yéyé music scene. Instead, Mesquida fills the role of the sensual French temptress once omnipresent during the 50s and 60s.

In the scheme of today’s French celebrity there is no doubt Mesquida is the current inspiration for fashionistas ready to reveal their sensuality. Who’s to say there is anything wrong with such frivolity?!  That said, when it comes to the bigger picture, Mesquida walks on the same ground as many who have come before her; Brigitte Bardot, Mireille Darc and Isabelle Adjani to name but a few.

The former is the obvious reference: the blond bombshell of the 60s was every man’s desire and every woman’s secret aspiration. Mireille Darc, a little more discreet than her Bardot compatriot still managed to exude sensuality, particularly when it came to wearing the scandalous dress ‘Clair de fesses’ in the film Le Grand Blond (1975). Isabelle Adjani also had sex appeal in abundance by turning image of the prim and proper brunette on its head. With past references in mind one could say that Mesquida takes influence from all three thereby making her responsible for the latest reinvention of the notorious femme fatale.

Who followed? Thanks to her latest role as Béatrice Grimaldi along side Leighton Meester in the 5th season of Gossip Girl, Mesquida is getting attention all over the world. Here she plays the sister of Louis Grimaldi, the mysterious brunette from a royal family in Monaco, the fictitious version of Charlotte Casiraghi. Before taking the role Mesquida’s influence was felt amongst those of the quirky world of independent cinema; her work with Catherine Breillet was one collaboration to bring her critical acclaim. Now more than ten years on it’s the young American teens who are also vying for her attention.

Greater impact? It is not just TV sitcom audiences and cinema fans that are under Mesquida’s spell. She has also caught the attention of the fashion world. This is not surprising considering she is one of few to successfully exude confidence in their own skin. Late last year, she was part of Costume National’s campaign for their latest perfume collection, ‘Pop’ and she also appeared in the front row for Carven’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection.

Legendary rating? Roxane Mesquida is in demand. Her new life in LA is throwing her scripts left, right and centre thanks to taking the latest title as the new girl in Hollywood. Legendary rating? It’s in the making. No question she is a reflection of the many legends that came before her but considering her story is getting more exciting by the minute perhaps her impact on the masses should be evaluated at a later date. For now let’s just say ‘watch this space’.

- Pascale Barget