Joy Sauvage goes between New York, L.A., and Paris working as a freelance stylist for fashion and video. Her style is distinctly polished with an effortlessness that stems from her French upbringing—ultimately the definition of chic. Her East Village apartment in New York is filled with collectibles like a series of small handbags in the likeness of seashells, dried roses, and stacks of archival magazines. VSP chats with Joy about her favourite designers, influential books, and the perfect summer night. 

Which books do you find yourself returning to at different points in your life

When I was younger I used to compulsively read everything I could find in my parents' library. A variety of literature appealed to me, from philosophy essays to poetry, but I have to say I was always drawn to fiction. A few of the books that have undeniably shaped who I am and that I will always come back to are In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust which holds a special importance in my family story. My grandparents met and fell in love through a shared appreciation of Proust. 'Albertine Gone' is one of the shortest volume in the novel and is my most cherished passage. It’s about loss and failed relationships—I’m a hopeless romantic. Belle du seigneur by Albert Cohen, Dostoevsky’s White Nights (it’s a really short novel about a one-sided love story that he wrote early in his career, a very understated piece). All the books by Georges Bataille but mostly Blue of Noon, and Of Love and Other Demons by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

Describe an ideal night out.
In the wintertime an ideal night out is actually a night in. A good bottle of red wine
and good conversation at my house with friends. Or a movie. In the summertime I love to be outdoors. I'm used to large terraces in Paris, I do miss that in New York sometimes. Components of a great night out in the summer are orange wine, little plates shared with friends, and dancing.

What would you suggest to someone beginning to develop their personal style?
Be yourself, wear what feels comfortable. There is nothing sexier than someone who is confident with who they are.

What are you coveting the most this season?
Everything that Céline has to offer just like every season but now more than ever since Phoebe Philo is leaving the house. I also really love the Jacquemus 'La Bomba' collection for summer, it's all so dreamy.

You have always moved between cities, how does each city you travel to affect your style?
Whenever I'm in Los Angeles I feel like I dress like a teenage skater boy, my style is effortless and casual, I spend a lot of time by the beach. In New York and Paris I'd say I'm more sophisticated.

Who are your favourite designers, both classic design houses and emerging?
Céline, Loewe, Prada, Jil Sander, Marni, The Row. I also really love Proenza Schouler, their collections are always fun. As far as emerging designers I'd say Jacquemus.

What is an indulgence you never feel guilty about?
Good wine, oysters, chocolate, and shoes.

How would you describe your style, and what are its essential qualities?
I think I actually dress a lot like my mom when she was my age in the nineties (nineties Jil Sander and Prada is pretty much all I want to wear). A lot of elegant basics and cleans lines, neutral colours.

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Joy wears Proenza Schouler, Jil Sander, Helmut Lang
Photos and Text by Marlowe Granados