TAG TALK with Jessica Michault
This article first appeared on Tag Walk by Monica Ainley.
Jessica Michault is a truly international editor. The San-Francisco-born, Franco-American journalist spent sixteen years working under Suzy Menkes at the International Herald Tribune. Today, she's Senior Vice President of Industry Relations for LaunchMetrics and editor-at-large for ODDA magazine. Jessica keeps us in the know with her 60 second on-point fashion show reviews on Instagram. Oh, and she's also a member of the BOF 500. Jessica is known for keeping things down to earth, always with an eye out for new projects or industry up-and-comers to champion (not to mention she's one of the first who discovered Tagwalk and brought it to limelight).
What's the last thing you saw that inspired you ?
In Fashion, the the first solo Valentino haute couture show that Pierpaolo Piccioli presented in Paris in January - I got goosebumps! In life, watching my daughters compete like amazon warriors during their horseball matches.
What’s your earliest fashion memory ?
It's more a sense memory from my childhood. I recall playing with my mom's gold chain necklace that would glint in the sun on her collarbone when she moved as she held me in her arms. And the smell of her perfume, Tea Rose, as she would go out at night.
In terms of my fashion career, I would have to say the first Guy Laroche collection from a young unknown designer named Alber Elbaz. To this day I still regret not saving up for one of the show's tulle dresses with embroidered flowers growing up from the hemline.
How did you find your vocation ?
I sent out only one CV in my life, to the IHT, and I got hired as a research assistant in the newspaper's library when I was 22. After about a year the job of personal assistant to Suzy Menkes opened up and I applied for it — and got it. I had no idea who she was at the time and had no interest in fashion when I started. It was Suzy's passion and her generosity when it came to my education in fashion and journalistic integrity, that got me hooked.
Explain your job in one or two sentences:
I am a journalist and fashion critic first and foremost. On top of that my job at Launchmetrics, as the company's SVP of Industry Relations, is to bring the worlds of fashion and technology together. To be a translator of sorts between the two very different creative languages. This way the fashion world can get the most out of the amazing software, big data and social media analytics the company has to offer the community. What they do really will help shape the future of our industry.
The best thing about working in fashions is_______
I just love spotting an amazing new talent and getting to help them make a name for themselves in the industry.
Which women inspire you the most?
Do I have to pick just one? I can't. So my short list is ....my mother...Michelle Obama...and...Suzy Menkes.
What’s your latest fashion discovery?
Well... I did spot Antonin Tron, the talents young designer behind the brand ATLEIN, well before he won the Andam prize for his first collection. As soon as I saw his work I knew in my bones he was going places.
The film that most speaks to your aesthetic is ________
Love Actually...cheesy I know... but that is what I am all about — love, family and killer red dress that hugs you in all the right places.
Your favourite Instagram to follow is:
To cheer me up after a long day it's @beigecardigan. That feed makes me laugh out loud. And when I want to dream (salivate) over other things besides fashion I go to @gioielleriapennisi. One day I will find a way to become a customer of that shop...mark my words!
Your top trend this season is/was:
I have a weakness for the beauty of asymmetrical designs.
