In my purse, I like to carry a pair of sunglasses – currently a very pale coloured pair of Chanel sunglasses – I see the world in pink! I carry a lip gloss and a spray of perfume. The Travel Sprays by Kilian are like jewellery…”Marie Moatti

Born in Paris, Marie Moatti has served as the Director of Global Communications for Van Cleef & Arpels and has represented numerous luxury brands. Originally trained as a ballet dancer, she developed a strong sense of discipline and flexibility. However, when she grew too tall to pursue a career as a professional ballerina, she transitioned to catwalk modeling, which led her to Japan. While there, she added Japanese to her linguistic repertoire, which already included Russian, French, and English. Thirteen years ago, Marie relocated from Paris to London, where she established her own agency specialising in strategic communications for luxury brands. Since then, she has collaborated with esteemed names such as Hermès, Brioni, and Hotel Costes, among many others…

I studied Latin and Greek in Hypokhagne and Khagne and decided to pursue my passion of reading and writing in studying comparative literature at Columbia University in NYC. After moving back to Paris, I worked in the art world, met my husband who was an art dealer, had two sons but never stopped working…”Marie Moatti

C&B: “Marie, congratulations on appearing on the CITY & BEACH LIFESTYLE INTERNATIONAL BEST DRESSED LIST 2025; having a fantastic background in fashion, ballet, travel and languages has obviously contributed to your unique style philosophy – how do you define it personally, and in which ways has it evolved over the years?”

MM: “I’ll start by saying that style has nothing to do with the amount of money you spend. Sometimes I feel more beautiful wearing a white cotton T-shirt with a pair of old jeans than if I had gone shopping on Bond Street. I love mixing vintage and new clothes – having my small size means I can shop at sample sales. When I lived in Paris, I tended to wear lots of slim jeans and grey/black colours, and underdress – it’s not considered cool to wear too much make up or try too hard there. Now that I live in London, I feel liberated and wear whatever I want and mostly lots of colour. Hermès taught me the art of mixing colours – however, I hate flowers patterns on clothes as well as polka dots”.

C&B: “Of all the big names out there, which designers do you tend to wear most?”

MM: “I love brands that have a timeless factor – Costume National, Saint Laurent, and Hermès, but I also appreciate Edeline Lee, the brand I choose to wear at art fairs, as it is sleek and architectural. When I want a cooler look, I wear Gucci, Miu Miu, or Off-White, but I always mix pieces. For the weekend, I wear a lot of Ralph Lauren and Loro Piana. However, there is frankly nothing I love more than finding a good bargain; I receive far more comments and compliments when I wear something from a smaller brand like Edeline Lee. Zara is genius, although I am very careful not to feed the fast fashion monsters that are polluting our world; I would never wear clothes that are not of good quality.”

I admire the style of Audrey Hepburn (above), who was also a dancer; she had a timeless elegance that I love. Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, Lee Miller, Loulou de la Falaise, Queen Rania of Jordania, and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis for their simple, classic chic. Carine Roitfeld – she knows how to dress sexy, even though she is older, and she rocks!”Marie Moatti

C&B: “Audrey Hepburn is such a legend, we love her bows and pearls – do you have any favourite pieces or accessories in your wardrobe right now?”

MM: “I have a denim jumpsuit that I keep on wearing – depending on what I wear it with, it can be very classy or super cool, and as it’s a ‘onesie’ I don’t have to think when I’m in a rush in the morning; I can wear it from breakfast through to cocktail hour. I also have a white sparkly suit – jacket, bra and trousers that I wear at night – everybody asks me where it is from but I prefer not to disclose brand!”

When it comes to nightlife, I swear by Chiltern Firehouse (currently closed) when I’m in London. When I’m in Italy I’ll go anywhere; in my eyes, impeccable style does not mean glamorous or ostentatious and I like perfectly simple food. I don’t like the word ‘exclusive’; if money can buy your membership, it’s not ‘exclusive’, it’s just not inclusive. I often go to the London Cabaret Club – they serve a delicious dinner while you watch a show with performers – dancers and singers – it makes you really want to dance afterwards! I love the Maçakizi in Bodrum, hidden hotels in Ibiza, and discovering new places too! As long as you are curious, you are young…”Marie Moatti

C&B: “You appear to have become interested in fashion at a very young age; when you think back over the years, which outfit has been your favourite?”

MM: “I do remember a pink dress in three shades that I wore to go to my new school in Paris when I was six years old! Probably that dress is my biggest memory – it looked like something Audrey Hepburn would have worn. It shows that an outfit can give you confidence, like an ‘armour’ to face the world! I also remember a grown up dress very ‘dadame ’ below the knee in silk that I had borrowed from my older sister for a date with the boy I kissed for the first time when I was seventeen – all my girlfriends were half naked and I looked like a lady – sometimes it is way more attractive not to show too much skin – I feel that is what young English girls should learn from us!”

C&B: “Absolutely – it would be great if women today were to revert back to more ladylike dressing; I’m sure the men would appreciate it too! Have you events have attended any events recently that required you to wear something extra-special?”

MM: “The V&A opening of the Naomi Campbell show last year – I wore a Self Portrait body-con dress in vibrant green with Aquazurra gold and green high heels; I felt very flamboyant and happy – I believe colours have radiations. Naomi Campbell is such a queen – I just knew she was going to wear black or white that evening… and she did!”

C&B: “Naomi Campbell is an impeccable dresser – a true legend, and we love how she mixes styles and accessorises her look in ways that are always elegant. Are there any ‘must have’ fashion accessories that you never leave home without?”

MM: “I have a love of glasses and hats lately – which does not encompass my absolute need of a handbag – bags are a way to personalise your outfits too; although I have a few Kellys and Birkins, I like wearing bags that are more original than standard – my ‘go to’ brand belongs to a chic Italian friend of mine called Maria Marigliano Caracciolo By M.”

C&B: “We don’t use the word ‘trends’ very often, but are there any current looks that you incorporate into your personal style?”

MM: “There is both the trend of the quiet luxury with beautiful cashmere by Loro Piana and the maximalist multicolour Italian collections – I love mixing everything. I always translate the trends to my personal style and never follow the diktats of the collections. ‘La mode c’est ce qui se démode’, as we say in French. That is why I love wearing Edeline Lee – it is trendy but timeless; some of her dresses I have worn for 10 years…”

C&B: “You clearly travel a lot – can you share any great tips for maintaining a stylish yet comfortable look when on a plane?”

MM: “Yes, I have the best Golden Goose furry trainers mules – so comfortable, like slippers. I love taking my shoes off as soon as I step in the plane and I hate wearing socks. I like to wear silk pyjamas as they’re warm enough to counteract the AC. Not tight, but elegant and chic. I always wear layers and usually change in the plane…”

C&B: “With sustainability being a huge issue in fashion production, are there any eco-friendly brands you love?”

MM: “I don’t do ‘fast fashion,’ and I tend to keep my clothes for a long time – like my friends, they’re usually for life! However, I don’t extend this sentiment to shoes, as I love dancing, and they never last long. I’m opposed to cheap polyester fashion and would never purchase low-quality items – no tights, not even in the dead of winter!”

You may find the article here.