SS24 Aude's Essentials
My first introduction to Aude Regout's work was in 2017, when I stumbled on the campaign images of the Rue Blanche AW17 collection. I was struck by their warm playfulness. I later found out it was Aude’s first campaign. Not surprisingly – as the daughter of the founder of the brand – she was born into a world where creativity and intuition were inherent. Aude’s work is rooted in the experiences from her years abroad and an urge to experiment and explore. Her personal appearance is balanced, effortless, and very much her own. So beyond her work as creative director for Rue Blanche, we were curious to discover how she feels about clothing in that very personal way.
Interview by Merel Daemen.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your personal style?
In 2016, my sister and I took over the business from our mother, and since then I have been taking care of everything visual for Rue Blanche. As creative director I oversee all the photography and styling for campaigns, advertisements, etc. I also guide the communication team through our daily interactions with customers, for our social media, website and newsletters.
Needless to say: I am a highly visual person. Beauty is something I value, in whichever form it is presented. It touches me profoundly when I find it in clothes. I definitely love having fun with my clothes, but as a mother of a young child, with a busy job, I generally lean towards garments that are easy to style together.
Are you picky about your clothes, then?
Yes. I am picky. As a young person, and the daughter of a designer, I had unlimited access to fashion. Consequently, I have made many a fashion blunder. These days, I believe in buying elevated basics that can serve as the foundation of my wardrobe, and that I don't feel awkward wearing the next season.
At this point in my life, I have found my own style and I know what works for me, so I know I will wear my clothes a lot if I choose them wisely. And since I buy so (relatively) little, I can really focus on quality. But you know what's the true beauty of it all? If you keep your closet minimal, your favourite garments remain.
Aude wears the off-white Rikki shirt, the white Organic Deb vest, and the black Sinatra pants, paired with the black Transa belt.
"As a young person, and the daughter of a designer, I had unlimited access to fashion. Consequently, I have made many a fashion blunder."
Aude wears the knitted navy Dandel Shirt, the white Organic Deb vest, and the light grey Sinatra pants, paired with the Raffia Shoulder Bag.
Aude wears the black Jacalo blazer, with the white Organic Deb vest, and the black Sinatra pants.
You have a tendency to go for neutral colours. How do you steer away from looking too classical?
I indeed like my neutrals, but I definitely don’t want to look out of date. So within my limited selection of keepers, I try to play around with colour, volume, textures and contrasts, to create unexpected silhouettes. I like layering: a tiny sliver of another colour creates some visual interest and is an opportunity to break up a silhouette with some airiness. I like wearing my clothes a little bit oversized too, within reason, which helps in creating an effortlessness that I admire in people.
I also make sure to match my basics with more sophisticated, stand-out pieces, when the occasion or mood asks for it. By adding one unconventional piece to my basics and combining it properly, I can breathe new life into my wardrobe. Matching accessories unexpectedly goes a long way too. The right shoe, a colour of sock that balances my palette, the ideal length of necklace in combination with my neckline choice, a belt that breaks it up... There is a cumulative effect in the visual end result when you pay enough attention to the details.
"You know what's the true beauty of it? If you keep your closet minimal, your favourite garments remain."
Aude wears the caramel-coloured Halo skirt, the white Organic Deb vest, and the light blue Ea shirt, paired with the brown Crossbody bag.
What basic would you never go without?
In the spring, I always have one cotton shirt in rotation, good blue jeans, a pair of tailored pants, a tank top, and a jacket. I choose neutral colours, because I can match them endlessly.
Like a capsule wardrobe?
Exactly. I think I just naturally evolved to that 'system'. I find it easier to match and keep an overview on what I have, and really like to wear. And like I said before, understanding my style and limiting my purchases, created the opportunity to buy into quality more. Instead of buying 15 things of lower quality per season, I buy two or three garments that I really believe in. It just works for me.
The idea behind a capsule wardrobe is to select 30 items you will wear per season. Is your wardrobe this small?
Almost (winks and smiles).
Aude wears the black Jacalo blazer, with the white pleated Rever pants.
The Essentials is a wider collection of wardrobe staples, curated every season by Aude herself.