Emily in Paris Season 2: love triangles, iconic fashion moments and tons of drama
Liv Elsey
Netflix’s amazing Emily in Paris returned to our screens at the end of December, and, as expected, it was simply phenomenal.
Following the smash-hit of the first season, we see Emily Cooper (played by the brilliant Lily Collins) back in the French marketing firm, Savoir, stumbling through her year in Paris and making as many memories and mistakes as possible along the way.
Despite the slight controversy that surrounded the show after its first season aired, this season has certainly shown a more rounded portrayal of French life, minus one or two teeny tiny stereotypes.
With Darren Star as the creator of the show (creator behind Sex and the City, and And Just Like That to name just a few) and Patricia Field as costume designer, Emily in Paris was always going to have a wardrobe to remember.
OK, let’s take a minute to swoon over the outfit choices from this season (yesss, living for the finale dress!) There are two ways to describe the style seen in the show and that is ringarde or trés chic. But even being ringarde is trendy these days so there is nothing but love for the wardrobe department here.
Emily’s outfits are simply outrageous 99 per cent of the time, and she has not learned to embrace the sophisticated-yet-laidback Parisian approach to styling, but I think it makes you fall in love with the Midwestern marketing executive just a wee bit more. From her cute trademark berets, tiny handbags and oversized sunnies, to the OTT and print-clashing ensembles, the wardrobe department helm has guaranteed a feast for your eyes this season.
In an interview with Glamour magazine, Fields states the importance of colour for Emily’s outfits, “I would describe her look as colourful as I feel that is an important component in her personality and style,” which cannot be underestimated as our Emily wears an array of fabulous colours in every scene.
But we can’t talk about the fashion in Emily in Paris without looking at the slightly more demure outfits on display. Take Sylvie Grateau (Emily’s boss), for example, whose almost effortless yet intentional power outfits are magnifique. And Camille’s classically French ‘fits too. Not forgetting the wonderful Mindy’s incredible outfits which SLAY- the pink houndstooth mini dress and matching hat from episode 10 specifically springs to mind.
Just like any typical Netflix drama, there must be some kind of love triangle- and it happened here, my friends. On one hand, we have the beautiful Chef Gabriel, Emily’s next-door neighbour who we saw her cheeky fling with at the end of season one. Em then has a super romantic relationship with Pierre Cadault’s (the eccentric designer) nephew Mathieu which did not end well. We now have another guy to add to the mix- the cheeky chappie London banker that is Alfie.
At the end of the series, Emily is left conflicted as to which would be the right decision- stay with Team Emfie or try for Team Gamily. As much as you can’t help rooting for Gabriel and Emily, as they truly seem so cute together, it is not fair nor right that our beloved Camille gets her heart trodden on by her boyfriend, then ex-boyfriend, then boyfriend again and her American bestie. So, in enters Alfie, a slightly arrogant but misunderstood and shy Londoner who has no interest in Paris but plenty of interest in the gorgeous Emily Cooper.
There is always drama at Savoir so let’s talk for one hot minute about the ending. Despite a strained relationship throughout the first and second season, Sylvie genuinely seems to care about her quirky American colleague which just warms my heart.
Mindy, our free-spirited, independent queen has a love interest. Yaaasss. The unlikely pair seem so sweet together, especially after the gorgeous picnic in the park and their adorable song together at the cabaret supper club! We are swooning over Team Bindy!
One of the best things about this show- aside from the juicy drama at Savoir and the outstanding outfits- is the life lessons that Emily learns. Every time we see her make a little mistake, or even a huge one like the fiasco with a ringarde suitcase and angry French designers (more Cadault drama, if you can believe it), Em always finds a way to work through the trouble and learn a lesson in hindsight. The wisdom behind Emily in Paris that we can all learn to channel is no matter what errors you have made or situations you find yourself in, just remember that there is always a light shining bright at the end to the tunnel.
Liv Elsey is editor for Health and Lifestyle. She is studying MA Journalism at Ulster University.