Women We Love . Svenja Frisch
Women We Love is a chance for us to interrogate sit down with the women in our lives whose style we love, work we admire, and heart we adore. We give them the celebrated Proust Questionnaire—which dates back to 19th-century Parisian salons—and throw in a few of our own. Grab a coffee, something to take notes with, and get to know the women we love as they ponder love, death, and the meaning of life.
Without further ado, Svenja Frisch.
What is your current state of mind? Enlightened.
When and where were you happiest? Driving home from my favorite beach club (Le club 55) into a setting sun with open windows, sandy feet, wet hair, swimsuit, and blasting “Champagne Supernova” (obviously singing along).
What is your greatest fear? Public transportation.
What is your greatest extravagance? Only one? Silk pajamas.
Which quality do you most desire in a pair of jeans? Absolutely no stretch—stiff as a carton box.
Which quality do you most desire in a man? I love a great cook.
Which quality do you most desire in a woman? Humor.
silk kaftan Hennes & Mauritz sequin baguette Fendi sunglasses Linda Farrow hair uncombed
What do you consider to be the most overrated virtue? Modesty.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? Impatience.
What is it that you most dislike? Queuing. Aka standing in line, for the American readers.
Which historical figure do you most identify with? Loulou de la Falaise (1947-2011). She was best known as Yves Saint Laurent’s muse, confidante, alter ego—and the virtuoso behind all his famously flamboyant accessories: towering fur toques, clanking bronze cuffs, necklaces strung with coral. Adventurousness typified not only her designs but also her approach to the art of living, in homes of distinguished pedigree in England, Ireland, France, and Italy. Her style had nothing to do with money, and everything to do with taste and imagination.
What is your most marked characteristic? My laugh. I giggle a lot, it’s very high pitched.
In which season do you feel most beautiful? Fall…because of the golden autumn light.
What do you dislike most about your appearance? My forehead.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Acquire a better posture.
Which talent would you most like to have? I would love to be a better singer and fluent in french.
What is your favorite occupation? Day dreaming.
On what occasion do you lie? When the situation requires a lie.
Who was the last person that gave you flowers? My neighbor.
If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be? To be less neurotic, they remind me of characters in a Woody Allen film.
What is your most treasured possession? The rings my parents gave me for my 21st and 25th birthday. I never take them off, not even to shower.
What do you consider your greatest achievement? Simultaneously surviving puberty and high-school.
What do you most value in your friends? Loyalty and our shared appreciation for Rihanna.
Who is your favorite fictional hero? I only have real heroes.
Ok, who is your favorite real hero? My great grandfather.
Where would you like to live? On a small farm nearby Ramatuelle, France with chickens and maybe two goats in my garden. On the weekend, I’d live in pajamas and cook for my friends. We’d have the grandest of summer parties until the early mornings, dancing barefoot to Fleetwood Mac.
How would you like to die? Dancing barefoot in my garden in the south of France.
If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be? Maybe a yacht?
What is your motto? Santé!