The Essential List 10. Kelsey Rose’s Must-Haves for La Vie en Rose
The Toulouse-based archivist shares the boots that never leave her feet, a French pharmacy favorite, her go-to scent, and how her style has evolved since moving abroad.
Today, I'm excited to feature Kelsey Rose Williams, the Eames Office archivist and the effervescent voice behind the Substack newsletter,
Kelsey's infectious curiosity and love for both the old and the new are evident in her work, her style, and her upcoming wedding in France.First, Kelsey shares her essentials for life in the South of France. Then, we discuss her love for vintage treasures, her passion for architecture and art history, and how her move to France has influenced her already impeccable style. Allons-y!
LoQ’s Lola Boot These boots must be glued to my feet because I wear them at every moment possible! I love that they have a ‘70s feeling to them and bring a vintage boost to my outfits. They are designed in Los Angeles (and in my heart, I’m an Angeleno), made in Spain with the most buttery leather, and named after a friend who was my LA neighbor about a decade ago. When I wear them, I feel that I’m channeling home—while also in my favorite era.
Arquiste Anima Dulcis When I was 23, I lived in San Francisco for exactly one year while managing a shop called Mill Mercantile. My coworkers and I would shamefully sneak a spray of an Arquiste perfume each time we worked! What I like about Arquiste is that they build their scents around a historic place or moment in time. Anima Dulcis, my go-to scent, was based on a being “deep inside the halls of the Royal Convent of Jesus Maria” with “a group of reverent nuns preparing a Baroque recipe of spiced cocoa” in Mexico City in November 1695. How can you not love that hyper-specificity?! I’ve splurged on and have worn this scent exclusively, running out just before I moved abroad.
Arquiste doesn’t ship to France, so I found a different scent from the brand floating around on eBay. Coincidentally its story overlaps perfectly with my art history background and love for Modernism. No. 57 is inspired by Peggy Guggenheim’s West 57th art gallery in 1940s New York City, with “the curved wooden walls and her favorite whiskey.” The scent is meant to “pay homage to her groundbreaking Exhibition by 31 Women, the first all-female modern art show in the United States.”
The Lives of Lee Miller A book that I am constantly referencing or thinking of is The Lives of Lee Miller. I’d say it’s an essential read for anyone interested in photography, the modern era, vintage Vogue, and/or anyone who has an interest in being a blazing force of a woman. Lee ignites that in me. [Ed Note. This story is being adapted into a film starring Kate Winslet, set to release later this year]
The day I bought the book about Lee, from a wonderful photography museum’s bookshop in Paris, the waitress who served me lunch was shocked because she too was reading a book about Lee! One of my life’s most serendipitous moments.
Manicurist Nail Polish I don’t recognize my own hands if my nails aren’t painted. For the past few years, I’ve been wearing J. Hannah’s near-chartreuse-colored polish after a dear friend gifted a bottle to me. Since moving to France, I can’t bring myself to indulge in €28 foreign-shipped nail polish, so I’ve switched over to the brand Manicurist. The colors aren’t named after my favorite painters and designers, but I love that the brand is vegan, sustainable, Paris-born, and find it cool that the founder previously worked for Prada and YSL.
La Roche-Posay’s Cicaplast Baume B5+ Crème Ultra-Réparatrice Apaisante (Soothing Balm for Dry Skin Irritations) because it has saved my skin in many ways. I am forever in debt to the French pharmacy! I’ve been gifting people this balm and have a few friends and family members who are already asking me to bring a refill the next time I visit the US.
Vintage Silk Scarfs I adore throwing on a vintage silk scarf. Sometimes it’s a classic neck accessory, a wrap of color around the handle of a bag, or something important to lace through my hair. Each time I’m at a thrift shop, I keep my eyes open for a new silky heirloom to add to my wardrobe. It’s been a clothing staple from as early as I can remember—and I like that they serve as memory markers of where I’ve lived and traveled.
Always happy to have worn one in my passport image, which was taken about 8 years ago. Past-me wouldn’t have been able to fathom the life path this passport would accompany me on!
Kelsey Rose is the Archivist of the Eames Office, a freelance historian and writer, hobbyist photographer, modern architecture preservation advocate, and French learner. She is an currently living in the south of France.
Tell me about your background and what you’re doing today.
I was born and raised in Phoenix, and have lived in New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, and now the South of France. As an incredibly curious, sentimental, and sensitive person, it’s easy for me to attach importance to stories and places. So, most of my life and work have revolved around history and geography.
Growing up, I fervently wanted to be a fashion designer after learning how to sew at four years old. At times I dipped in and out of wondering if fashion journalism was the end goal because I liked the stories involved with clothing, and writing was a strong suit of mine.
During my first semester of university, I took an art history course and the narratives behind the art movements made me alter the direction of my studies/life. I ended up studying Art History (with a focus on the Modern era) and Museum Studies, then went to grad school for Archiving and Preservation of Cultural Heritage and Records. During school, I took on as many internships or volunteer positions in museums and galleries (and jobs in retail shops to pay the bills), including MoMA and the Pace Gallery in NYC.
I moved to California in my early 20s, which was pivotal for my identity in so many ways! Nine years ago, I started working for the Eames legacy. For the first few years, I gave tours of the Eames House and worked on archiving photographs and architecture conservation projects during calm moments. I shifted to writing and social media for the Eames Office when I left LA for Seattle (long story, and Covid made it even longer!), and in January 2020, I became the Office’s Archivist. Luckily for me, the Eames family was very supportive of my move to France, enabling me to work very remotely and travel a few times a year to manage our collection physically. Speaking of the Eameses, there are definitely nods to Ray Eames in the way I style myself.
For hobbies, I try to photograph and explore as much as possible, play tennis weekly with a team, read tons, work at improving my French, and write my Substack, Absolument!
When did you move to France and what brought you there?
I moved to Toulouse, France the first week of 2023—for love! We met a few years ago thanks to the Eames House. :)
Has your style changed since moving to France? How has the lifestyle and culture impacted what you wear and buy?
Oui et non! To me, surprisingly, my style seemed more “French” before relocating than it does right now—or at least the American stereotype of what “French” means. Think emulating-a-70s-French-woman type of wardrobe: more stripes, high waisted denim, ballet flats, silk scarves, beige trench, high waisted corduroy skirts, classic colors, etc. I definitely still have some of those elements in my rotation, but I’ve started embracing more voluminous silhouettes and textured fabrics, buying accessories, and experimenting with the way I layer. And, I’m trying to pump the color back into my closet!
Whenever I FaceTime with friends or visit the US, people will often comment, “you look so French!” and I laugh because I couldn’t disagree more! Maybe it’s because I’m so aware now of how not French I am every single day that I’m living here? I feel glaringly foreign, constantly.
Overall, my style is still "me" but I find it more elevated and with more sentimentality/history attached to what I'm wearing. This fashion renaissance of mine has felt really energizing—it’s like I’m buzzing!
I’ve been planning our wedding alongside my partner, so I’m spending way more time browsing online, gathering inspiration, and sourcing vintage clothing and accessories. I also launched my Substack about seven months ago. This platform has been a tremendous outlet for sharing stories about clothes and reading other views on personal style (loving Jenny Walton and Leandra Medine Cohen, among others). Thanks to these two things, my vintage clothing adoration has increased tenfold.
I love digging to learn the stories of vintage pieces. Even more, I love making connections between a piece of clothing and an artwork or style era that they remind me of. Overall, my style is still "me" but I find it more elevated and with more sentimentality/history attached to what I'm wearing. This fashion renaissance of mine has felt really energizing—it’s like I’m buzzing!
I wouldn’t say that the culture around me has impacted how I’m dressing at the moment. I find most people in Toulouse to be pretty conservative and homogeneous with their styling, which is the opposite direction of where I’m headed! I think if I spent more time in fashion-centric Paris, I would be more inspired by France stylistically.
One of my wardrobe favorites–which feels out of the ordinary while I’m walking around Toulouse–is this handmade 70s-era tangerine-colored dress with sparkling, massive buttons. I’ve been having a blast styling it with different kinds of belts, with layers above or below it, reversed, and wearing it during multiple seasons. Who would complain about seeing a cheery, orange dress in the middle of a darkened December?
What are your go-to resources for discovering new brands or hidden gems in France?
I’ve had to start from scratch with most of my hair and skincare items because the water here is way more harsh and the product market is different. I’ve been given a great education on French pharmacy beauty products thanks to Youtube! If you search anything related to “French beauty haul” you’ll get accosted by a ton of videos about the miracles of A313, Cica-whatever, La Roche-Posay, and Biafine. I find it fun to learn about skincare.
Another French pharmacy staple is Homeoplasmine, a Vaseline-like healing ointment that you can use practically all over your body. I use it daily on my lips and any cuts or dry spots and find myself nourished quickly. While having a mystery skin allergy on my face/neck a couple of summers ago, a pharmacist urged me to buy a tube of this stuff, swearing that: French accent “It’s the secret to Madonna’s beautiful lips.” Even this pretty stranger on TikTok agrees:
For recommendations of places to visit around France, my fiancé and his/our friends have no shortage of good ideas! We also love hopping in our car and finding something memorable by accident–like the time I had my first cassoulet in a winery family’s small, cave-like restaurant near a monastery.
Are there any French or European brands that you love and think more people should know about?
Pierre Cardin! I had a Cardin awakening last year, although I think more Americans know about him than I may realize.
Also, Vuokko! It’s a Finnish brand by textile designer Vuokko Nurmesniemi. She was one of the two primary textile designers of Marimekko. She branched out to create her own line in 1964. I got this absolute dream of a dress (the red one with the cream dots in the first photo) from a vintage reseller who I love here in France. Every year I try to wear a red dress on my birthday, so for months and months I strongly pined after the Vuokko dress. As April drew near, I finally purchased it. I wish I could wear it daily!
Obviously, there is so much rich history and architecture in Europe, what is the most memorable place you’ve been or visited since moving abroad?
This is an extremely tough question because, yes absolutely, there is historic beauty in every single corner of Europe!
In France, I have a soft spot for a small town called Albi, which is about 45 minutes from where I live. I am charmed each time I visit! The main square is home to the world’s tallest brick cathedral, La Cathédrale Sainte-Cécile, constructed from 1282-1480. I’ve paid it a visit multiple times—one time I got up incredibly early for a church service there just to sit inside its vast container again. I wanted to see how it looked when it was fully animated, doing what it was intended for. I’m not a morning person or a religious person, so this speaks volumes. I’ve never been inside a piece of architecture that is so ornately painted, glimmered, and detailed.
It’s been a busy/lucky couple of years and I never imagined that I would have an enchanted life like this!
Other winners: Villa Savoye outside of Paris, taking an architecture boat tour through the canals of Bruges, Salvador Dalí’s seaside house in Cadaqués, seeing the almost-completed La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Finn Juhl’s House in Copenhagen, anywhere in the Basque Country, and visiting the tiny sailing town my not-so-distant ancestors are from in Scotland. It’s been a busy/lucky couple of years and I never imagined that I would have an enchanted life like this!
What is the last thing you bought that you feel really good about? How did you find out about it?
I just bought a pair of vintage clip-on Scooter Paris earrings. I’m planning to use them in a million imaginable ways: as earrings, of course, but also as shoe clips for my wedding (and normal days), bag charms, and whatever I can think of! I found them on eBay while searching for either “atomic clip-on earrings” or “modern art inspired clip-on earrings.”
Thank you, Kelsey! Your joie de vivre is contagious and I can’t wait to keep following your adventures. Wishing you the most wonderful wedding day with your family and friends.
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If you have your own French-inspired essentials, I’d love to hear them! Share in a comment below or hit reply to send me a note.
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Great picks!
I recommend “Lee Miller’s War” as well.
I feel like Eric Rohmer films have the best “French style”, everyone looks like they are wearing their own clothes.
Certainly going to check that fragrance line out, and I’ve been wanting to try that nail polish so now I think I have too, haha.
Loved reading this as Absolument is a fave substack! Kelsey, any tips for making clip on earrings more comfortable? Especially vintage ones have been painful when I’ve tried.