How Coco Chanel Helped Me Stay True to My Plus Size Self in Paris - The Curvy Fashionista
When I first arrived in Paris as an expat in 2014, I was immediately caught up in the whirlwind of trying to assimilate into the quintessentially Parisian way of life. I felt like I had been thrown into a daunting race to perfectly master French, become a wine connoisseur, know how to whip up a perfect soufflé—all in a city that was renowned for its fashion, food, and flair. And yet, the task felt like an impossible, inauthentic pursuit.
Often, the City of Lights felt harsh and unwelcoming. The quest to fit into the Parisian ideal of beauty was like trying to squeeze into a mold that was never designed for me. It was restricting, taking away the fun to relish in the bountiful, scrumptious food that Paris is celebrated for, and truly live the joie de vivre I yearned for.
Yet there was one quote from fashion world goddess Coco Chanel that comforted me:
“Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself.”
Coco Chanel