Lush List: A Year of Style
In January, so many of us set goals around our health, appearance, and style for the coming year. Too often those lofty plans are abandoned before we even reach the first day of Spring. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we had a coach, trainer, stylist, or some kind of lifestyle guru walking with us through each day – keeping us on track, dispensin
g invaluable advice, delighting us with new information and a fresh outlook for every season? Well, I have all of the above – and more, at my fingertips every single day. It’s Frédéric Fekkai‘s A Year of Style.
Frédéric is best known as a celebrity hair stylist and for his lush and lovely line of hair and body care products. But, Frédéric Fekkai’s talents as a style icon go far beyond a fabulous blow out. Frédéric grew up in Aix en Provence in the South of France, where he came to view style as a “less is more” mindset sprinkled with healthy doses of ease, grace, natural elegance, and authenticity. His philosophy comes across brilliantly in A Year of Style, and for anyone looking to simplify their routine or adopt a more natural, seasonal lifestyle approach, this is the perfect resource.
The book is divided into monthly chapters with themes such as Energize, Romance, Relax, Renew, and Celebrate. Specific subjects are presented in narrative form throughout, while smaller pearls of wisdom are offered in daybook form along the side margins. The photography is absolutely gorgeous, and where needed, Frédéric’s step-by-step instructions are flawless. I also want to note that my first edition is dated 2000, yet there is nothing dated about the information or imagery in A Year of Style. The timelessness is yet another facet of this book’s charm. Though out of print now, Amazon.com lists secondary market copies for sale, ranging in price from $4.99 for a used copy, to a signed collectible edition priced at $58.90 – a worthwhile investment whichever you choose.
Every word of A Year of Style is worth repeating, but my favorite advice from Frédéric is, “Be natural. Don’t go against nature – your nature. Don’t deny it – work with it. You can not force things to be what they aren’t. From the way you smile to the way you walk, dress, eat, or talk, be authentic. Stay away from what’s artificial. I know for a fact that, even more than so-called good taste, what you need to have style is a nature-inspired and unpretentious way of looking at things.” I adore this man. Happy reading…
