From Paris to East Oxford: A Wardrobe with a Story
Parisian stripes, muddy dog walks, a love of Toast and a wardrobe with a history to tell. Meet Camille, one of Onanon’s regular sellers, whose journey from Paris to East Oxford has shaped not only her style, but how she thinks about clothes, what we keep and what we pass on. There’s a little French flair, a lot of honesty and a rather lovely relationship between her wardrobe and the Onanon rails.
How would you describe your style in three words?
Parisian (where I’m from), muddy (due to dog walks), mainly casual.
What are you wearing when you feel most yourself?
My very own uniform that defines me the most is going to sound like my French accent, a pure cliché: a stripy top or a navy blue turtleneck jumper, a pair of blue jeans, white sneakers, and a little black vest to upgrade the look. Et voilà.
How has your approach to style or shopping evolved over time?
Living in Paris was a constant pressure in terms of fashion; at the very least, you had to embrace an effortless style, which required a lot of effort!
North Oxford was also a tricky one, nothing like Paris but still too constricted for me. The “Welcome to the sunny side of Oxford” mural was the border I willingly crossed to find my style, my life and myself.
And Madeleine’s (Camille’s daughter) diagnosis of her conditions was also a trigger in the evolution of my style. I de-cluttered a lot, kept the good basics and added some fluid, quiet, relaxed pieces, a proper therapeutic fit for my new menopausal body and my restless mindset.
What’s the best piece you’ve ever found secondhand?
My agnès b. stripy top. I’ve had it since I was fifteen. It has holes everywhere, so I can’t wear it anymore, but I keep it as a vestige from the last century. It has the nicest, unusual neckline cut. I wonder why more designers don’t use that specific shape; it was very flattering!
What’s your favourite clothing brand and what do you love about them?
You had me at “Toast”, Amy! This brand resonates with me, as it reminds me of a now-extinct French brand I adored called Armand Ventilo: lots of linen, cotton, velvet, cashmere and wool… so I am completely and utterly toasted, like 99.9% of your other clients!
I love their timeless, “non-fashion” philosophy, their earthy palette of colours, and their repair and reuse service. I like the idea that Onanon Clothing is doing its part in this circular initiative, as a resourceful way to keep clothes in use for longer.
As a regular Onanon seller what inspires you to sell pieces you no longer wear?
I’ve always given the clothes I’ve Marie Kondo-ed to close friends, but since Onanon opened, a subtle, balanced agreement has emerged between the shelves of my closet and the Onanon racks. The secret arrangement is simple: every beloved piece that leaves my wardrobe makes space for an exciting new find when I browse your beautifully curated selection at the next pop-up.
These days, Camille is a full-time PA to her 9 yr old daughter - part carer, part advocate and, as she’d say, full-time pancreas! She’s paused her work as an event planner to give the care needed, while bringing a little French flair to her two other children’s lives. After Paris, Rome and North Oxford, Camille found her “maison sweet maison” in East Oxford, where she loves the community and finding creative ways to give back. Camille’s career may be on pause, but her creativity certainly isn’t!