Stylish Series: "Emily in Paris"

By now you've probably heard of "Emily in Paris", Netflix's new 10-part rom-com set in a decidely pre-pandemic City of Lights. There are three reasons to watch: Escapism, Paris and Fashion.  

Emily will not teach you how to dress. You will not learn how to be Parisian, but you may learn what makes the Parisians tick. You will be taken with the sheer outlandish fun of it all. "Emily" is the perfect tonic for these times. I almost forgot the past 212 days.

Emily was created by Darren Star. He had a little hit a few years ago called "Sex in the City". Perhaps you watched an episode or two? Perhaps you drummed your nails on the coffee table every Sunday night awaiting the magic hour? Perhaps you bought a white tulle skirt and pink tank top (which you never had the nerve to wear)? Yes, that Darren Star. 

"Emily in Paris" is more city than sex, but the sex is there too. Like Emily herself, it's cute. Paris is the star. I'm not sure if it's CGI or what, but the city is so clean it fairly sparkles. Lily Collins plays Emily as not exactly an ingenue. She's smart, but she comes across as a wide-eyed-girl-in-Paris. You're not sure you are going to like her, but she, like Lily Collins herself, surprises you. 

Even the Spritzes look chic...

Lily, 31, the daughter of Phil Collins and his first wife, has been acting since she was a child. Perhaps best known as a model, she played a well-received Fantine in the film of "Les Miserables". She also writes and is producer of the Netflix series. Lily has made Emily lovable enough for us to forgive her character's most egregious pronouncements. 

Patricia Field is the costume designer, as she was on "Sex in the City". I was never sure, on SITC, how serious we were to take Carrie's fashion sense. Carrie loved clothes, but they weren't really the main event. Emily's wardrobe is sometimes a plot point, ie the handbag charm that gets her thrown out of a couturier's atelier, her Audrey Hepburn moment at the Paris Opera, her over-packing for a country weekend. This time I know that Patricia Field is in it for the chuckles, and so am I.

A triple whammy of Emily-style

Each episode has its arc with a running subplot that asks "Will Emily get her Prince Charming?" No spoiler alert on my part. No passport needed either.

I'll wear what she's wearing...