Sought after for being the perfect amalgamation of relaxed, timeless and elegant style; dressing à la française is on every woman's sartorial forecast. The beating heart of said style can be found in Paris, home to the two cult-favourite labels, Sandro and Maje. Designed, respectively, by sisters Evelyn Chetrite and Judith Milgrom, who share an affinity for blurring, through fashion, the lines between masculinity and femininity.

Sandro was founded in 1984 with a collection of sophisticated staples for the modern woman. Maje followed in 1998 with a more bohemian and youthful sensibility. Both have become firm favourites, in Paris and around the world — with the recent opening of their neighbouring Commercial Bay boutiques counting New Zealand as the southern-most point of their retail presence.

For most of the world, travelling overseas isn't on the cards, but that doesn't mean we can't look abroad for inspiration, which is precisely what both Maje and Sandro have done for their Spring Summer '21 collections. Both have taken cues from the South of France in the '70s and '90, applying them in their own, unique ways; offering a cool, contemporary wardrobe for their clientele.

Sandro has paired warm colours like orange, sand, ochre and vanilla with clean, bright whites; while tones of sea green take centre stage with crochet pieces, florals, and soft psychedelic zebra stripes. Sandro, (like the women who wear it) has mastered the art of fusion; playing masterfully with the contrasting styles and colours of '70s eclecticism, and the minimalism of the '90s. 

Blazers, relaxed-fit sunflower print tees, and oversized shirts paired with more form-fitting knitwear exude a perfectly undone style. Knit lingerie is worn as outerwear, a tie-dye tracksuit will see you well into these balmy evenings, whilst loose trousers are tied at the waist with a silk scarf if need be. Flowers are pinned to jacket lapels, emblematic of a collection designed for the urban woman who never wants summer to end. The beach meets the city — elegant, fun and surprising.     

Maje, too, drew from a wellspring of inspiration in creating its new collection. From touches of refined dolce vita inspired by cult classic The Talented Mr Ripley, to moments of ultra glamour with bare backs and sultry skin. Maje also gives the nod to '70s style and '90s spirit with florals, denim, eyelet embroidery and hints of black, with, of course, some refined tailoring in its lineup of blazers. The final pieces encourage the wearer to embrace all their identities while staying true to themselves. Whether they're feeling adventurous, androgynous, rock chick, cowgirl, newly-wed or girly, it's a playful and character-filled collection where the Maje woman is the lead actress.

Take yourself off the beaten track in the wide-flowing satin shirt, with its black jungle print and matching bucket hat before perusing the shops and meeting friends for drinks. The sleeveless lurex knit dress is fun and spontaneous whilst exuding nonchalance — come winter you could warm this up with thigh-high boots and an oversized jacket. The short double-breasted blazer is a masterclass in the modern woman's working wardrobe for those mild autumn days spent at the office.

 A perfect fit for Commercial Bay's renowned offering, Maje and Sandro are bringing us one step closer to truly nailing the indisputable elegance of Parisian style, all without stepping foot on a plane. Although the City of Lights will be first on our list of destinations for our next sojourn, we couldn't think of a better place to make our 'French-girl' debut than right here at home.