Jeanne Damas

There is no strategic formula to dressing. It’s all about wearing what you feel comfortable in,” says Jeanne Damas, when the word style is called into question. The role-juggling entrepreneur, who oscillates between creative direction, brand consultancy and modelling, is also one of Paris’s most influential dressers, boasting – unsurprisingly – more than a million Instagram followers – yet another string to her multi-faceted bow. When it comes to starting a fashion brand, an acute eye for aesthetic comes first, but an active social media strategy ranks a close second—Jeanne Damas is a master of the two, so the launch of her brand Rouje was expected, if not inevitable.

The word ‘function’ isn’t usually one to set pulses racing, but when spoken in a prototype French accent - as they are with Jeanne - we can’t help but feel assured that this combination of function and beauty is one we want in on. It is this, her effortless, Birkin-inspired style made up of silk shirts and vintage denim, that is magnetic to her followers who can prescribe her effortless yet always luxurious aesthetic via Jeanne’s own clothing line Rouje.

For Jeanne, the production of her brand Rouje found conception naturally, beginning with one very simple foundation: friendship. “Nathalie Dumeix has encouraged me in so many ways,” says Damas about her life-long friend and stylist. “Our friendship was the starting point of Rouje. It is a brand that was born and lives through that all-important relationship that is friendship.”

Jeanne crested into fame in the blogging era, an authentic voice and vision for a brand of French femininity that felt, at that point, forgotten. She and best friend Simon Jacquemus were of the Myspace Generation; Jacquemus ’ first shoots were hastily rigged up, improvised affairs, shot on holiday with a game Jeanne as model.

Jeanne’s vocabulary of wrap dresses and super short skirts have the pull of another era, but she elevates them with modern twists. Inspired by her sister and mother, Rouje’s, and Jeanne’s, success is testament to her vision. Friendship is at the core of Rouje, not merely through the enduring creative collaboration felt between Jeanne and Nathalie, but through Jeanne’s own network of fashionable friends who are at the forefront of her mind as she is curating collections.

Semaine: What does the word “taste” mean to you?
J.D.: To each their own.

Semaine: Do you have a life motto that you live by?
J.D.: No.

Semaine: What was the last thing that made you laugh?
J.D.: My cat sleeping in the bassinet of my future baby.

Semaine: What are your favourite qualities in a human being?
J.D.: Openness of spirit, humour, and goodwill.

Semaine: Who is your hero?
J.D.: The women in my life.

Semaine: What is your biggest flaw?
J.D.: Impatience.

Semaine: What is your best quality?
J.D.: Empathy.

Semaine: What would your last meal on earth be?
J.D.: Pasta.

Semaine: If you had the power to change anything you wanted in the world, what would you change?
J.D.: I'd create a more gentle and equal life for humankind.