BY AMY VERNER

The mythic Parisienne has been idolized, exploited, debunked, deconstructed, and revived with such fervor and frequency that it’s no wonder Vanessa Seward has turned to a different archetype for her first book. Debuting in French to start, La Guide de la Gentlewoman explores how the designer views femininity, relationships, and personal style as a push-and-pull between outward performance and inner insecurities—and what we can do to arrive at a more realistic equilibrium. Seward, who spent years in the studios of Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent, joined Azzaro as creative director, and found success reinterpreting ’70s bourgeois codes for her namesake label (supported by A.P.C.’s Jean Touitou), says the project allowed her to relate her experiences indirectly and with a certain lightness.