“I’ve had the same fringe for 15 years,” says Jeanne Damas, the 32-year-old Parisian and designer of Rouje. Signed by IMG Models at 17, Damas has 1.5 million followers who are well versed in her red lipstick, patterned blouses, and cozy, wood-beamed apartment in the 20th Arrondissement, where she makes bouquets from the flowers on her rooftop terrace. Rouje, which she founded in 2016, offers “suggestive rather than revealing” silk dresses, raffia basket bags, and heeled ballerina pumps that satisfy a hunger for Paris in ways Emily can’t touch. The brand expanded in 2022 with a makeup line, Les Filles en Rouje, which emphasizes natural skin and creamy, versatile lip and eye palettes. Damas is pregnant with baby No. 2 and isn’t missing a beat, style-wise. We’re watching—and taking notes. —Jeanne Malle
I was a really stylish kid. My parents owned a restaurant in Paris, but my mom’s hobby was making clothes for me and my sister. She used to go to fabric markets and find velvet and cute prints. I wore her clothes my whole childhood, but at 11 or 12, I became a Britney Spears fan and thought, “Why am I wearing this classic coat?” So I began deciding for myself. I wore those little plastic chokers, crop tops, and big pants.
After that, I had a skater period because I was in love with all the skaters in Paris. I bought a skateboard, and I loved Carhartt. Then I took my first step toward Parisian style. I dressed like a little bourgeoise, with a pearl necklace, ballet flats, classic jackets, and my hair parted to the side.
When I found my first pair of Cheap Monday jeans, my love for vintage clothes began. I was really inspired by American girls such as Chloë Sevigny, Kirsten Dunst, and Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City. For me, the New York style of the early 2000s—cool girls with slip dresses and makeup—was new and modern. I also liked Cory Kennedy, Sofia Coppola, and Paz de la Huerta. Paz has a completely wild, vintage-diva look, and I love that.
My style is consistent … too consistent. I’ve worn the same kind of jeans and blazers for years. I used to wear a red lip every single day, but now I wear different shades. I can have nothing on the eyes and nothing on the skin, but I always wear something on my lips. It makes me feel more confident.
My uniform is about an attitude. Not that I compare myself to Jane Birkin, but people admire her and are obsessed with her style because of her attitude, her lifestyle, and her way of wearing clothes. Everything is in the details.
My look has changed a little bit with my pregnancies. I was just a heels girl—no flats. During my first pregnancy, I wore sneakers a lot, and I realized, “Oh my God, they’re so comfortable!” Now, I understand why everybody wears them. I also added some fluid pants. I was always in jeans before. You can wear them with ballerinas, and at night you can add some heels and a beautiful top.
I’m not the kind of girl who wears crazy designer clothes for Fashion Week. It’s more the contrary. It’s funny to work in fashion and be an inspiration for some girls while always wearing the same thing. Sometimes I fight with my team or peers because they want me to be original and to try something new, and I’m like, “No! I want to wear the big coat.” But it’s the way I like it. And I think that’s the secret to success: It’s when you stay loyal to yourself. When you don’t fake it.
There are days when I want to be a Lemaire girl, or a Row girl, or a chic Swedish girl. But I don’t think that’s me. I dress more feminine and retro, more in line with actresses in Spanish or Italian films.
It’s funny because now I’m old. Well, not old, but I understand that I used to be an inspiration for some girls when they were teenagers. Now I’m like a Madeleine de Proust for them, something nostalgic. Because of social media, that girl still follows me, but it was a long time ago that she first discovered me.
Style is a part of my creativity, my inspiration, my everyday life. But I don’t really like to go shopping. I love to be in the countryside … but I have a little look in the countryside too! Sometimes I don’t even care. The best thing is to follow your desires.
Jeanne Damas is a model and designer and the founder of Rouje
