Teenage Beauty Thylane Blondeau Is the Next French It Girl

The 15-year-old IMG model and French It girl Thylane Blondeau was the target audience for Chanel’s Spring 2017 show at Paris Fashion Week, which was tech-themed this year and complete with motherboards, models dressed as robots, and prints made to look like wires and LED lights. The daughter of former footballer Patrick Blondeau and French television host Véronika Loubry, Blondeau is one of many young, social media savvy scions who took over the front row this season as brands attempted to appeal to a younger customer. Alongside her at Chanel were Lily Rose-Depp and Frances Bean Cobain, and during Milan Fashion Week she sat front row with a show-stopping Millennial crowd including Sofia Richie, Rafferty Law, and Brandon and Dylan Lee – Pamela Anderson’s sons.

Born in Aix-en-Provence and currently based in the South of France with her family, Blondeau splits her time between high school and modeling. She made her runway debut at age four when she walked for Jean Paul Gaultier, and in 2011 at the age of 10, her foray into print modeling was shrouded in controversy, as her make-up-heavy Vogue Paris editorial was perhaps beyond her years.

But considering Blondeau was merely a child when she first broke onto the scene, she was not the one at fault, and has since given the fashion world another chance. She’s gone on to land a cover for Jalouse, a spread in Teen Vogue, and a campaign with L’Oréal. In May, she stepped out at the Cannes Film Festival for the first time — a debutante ball of sorts for young European scions — and she’s now got a following on Instagram of over half a million.

With her stunning genes and innately good French taste, Thylane’s future in fashion looks bright. Here, she talks personal style, Chanel, and her beauty secrets.

What did you think of the Chanel show theme? What does “Intimate technology” meant to you? It was really colorful and connected. Intimate technology means my daily life, as I was born in 2001. Technology is part of my routine; I can’t imagine a world without technology everywhere. We need it.

What were some of your favorite looks? Which ones would you wear? I love the baseball caps and the bags with LED-lighting.

What have been some of your other favorite fashion month moments? How was Dolce & Gabbana with all your friends? Was the dinner fun? What did you guys talk about? Dolce & Gabbana was wonderful – beautiful show and clothes and it was really well organized. They have been so kind to me. There are no words to describe the dinner; the venue was incredible and I had a really nice time with the guests.

What was the first fashion show you ever attended? Chanel Spring 2016 last year.

How would you describe your style? Cool and comfortable; kind of boyish style.

What your parents have taught you about fashion, style, and modeling: Always be myself. My mum is always with me, and I’m constantly consulting her.

Style icons/inspirations: Cara Delevingne, Gigi Hadid, and Barbara Palvin.

Favorite store(s) in Paris: Colette.

Night out look: Leather pants, boots or high heels, and a black t-shirt.

Preferred footwear: NMD Adidas boots.

Beauty secrets: A lot of sleep; washing off makeup at the end of the day is crucial with a lot of hydration. I use a lot the makeup and hair products from L’Oréal.

Best recent discovery: That I can’t do so many things during Fashion Week.

Last purchase: Eleven Paris sweatshirts.

Something you would never wear: Big platform shoes.

School uniform: Black ripped jeans with simple t-shirt and sneakers.

Most prized possession(s) in your closet: Chanel jacket that my mom gave me.

Instagram or Snapchat? Snapchat.

What you’re looking forward to doing once fashion month is over: Going home to get some rest and going to school.