Why Sylvie Is the Best-Dressed Character on "Emily in Paris"

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While Netflix's "Emily in Paris" has thrust Sylvie (Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu) into the spotlight as the minimalist, albeit powerfully dressed Parisian chief marketing officer, her sultry and sophisticated, less-is-more style gets a color boost in season three. Costume designer Marylin Fitoussi describes it as a "mirror game" between her and Emily (Lily Collins), who have evolved into collaborators that share mutual respect for one another. "I wanted Sylvie to start to have an Emily touch to her wardrobe," Fitoussi explained to POPSUGAR. "For me, [Emily and Sylvie] both admire each other and hate each other a little bit, but they're very respectful. Even though Sylvie is annoyed by the character of this young, insolent American, she pays respect to her in a certain way."

In a press interview with Netflix, Fitoussi elaborates on Sylvie's inclination to stray from her neutral palette. "For the character of Sylvie, it's about being able to take risks," she says. "It's about saying to herself, 'That little one from Chicago with these colors, she has personality and she shows it.' Emily does not give a damn about what one says is 'Parisian chic.' She puts her colors on, and she is still elegant and punchy."

Fitoussi reasons this is why we now see Sylvie embrace fuchsia, orange, and a touch of purple, confirming that actors Collins and Leroy-Beaulieu were fundamental in carrying out their narrative during fittings. "I proposed an outfit to Philippine, and she said, 'But wouldn't that be a little bit, Emily?' And while trying on a pair of wide-leg, high-waisted pants on Lily, she said to me, 'Isn't that a little Sylvie?' And I said, yes, but that's where your two characters who are close — enemies who love each other, but who hate each other, and who work together — show a kind of mutual respect."

Emily in Paris. (L to R) Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu as Sylvie Grateau, Samuel Arnold as Julien, Kate Walsh as Madeline Wheeler in episode 302 of Emily in Paris. Cr. Marie Etchegoyen/Netflix © 2022
Netflix

Sylvie's wardrobe is also offset by Madeline's (Kate Walsh) bigger-is-better aesthetic, particularly at Pierre Cadault's retrospective in episode two, where they both arrive in the same dress. "Two beautiful actresses who love to work and act together. We have these two characters, these two beautiful women, each with a magnificent body, who are both fully comfortable with their femininity, their very sexy sides; who are comfortable with their age; who do not hesitate to show what they have. As we evolve in age, we are supposed to hide — but we do not want to hide." Fitoussi tells Netflix.

While Sylvie styles the devilish black dress with an arch that halos the head quite simply, with a bare chest, side-swept waves, and waterfall diamond earrings, Madeline is the complete antidote in chunky Elsa Peretti jewelry. But as Sylvie's relationship with Dutch photographer Erik DeGroot (Søren Bregendal) continues, and she also stays in tune with Emily, we see her venture from brands such as Alaïa and Helmut Lang (frequently worn in season two) to boundary-pushing architectural masterpieces from the likes of Vivienne Westwood's archives and Rick Owens.

Ahead, scroll through some shoppable pieces Sylvie wore in season three, then backtrack through her most memorable "Emily in Paris" looks.

Additional reporting by Victoria Messina

Sylvie Wearing a Purple Blazer in "Emily in Paris" Season 3
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Sylvie Wearing a Purple Blazer in "Emily in Paris" Season 3

Sylvie's velour blazer is brightened even more by a red collared shirt worn underneath and a matching Barbara Bui crossbody bag.

Sylvie Wearing Rick Owens in "Emily in Paris" Season 3
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Sylvie Wearing Rick Owens in "Emily in Paris" Season 3

The adventurous cut on Sylvie's extra-long-sleeved cape dress from Rick Owens is a clear contrast to Emily's minidress in episode eight. Her look is finished with Moynat's Wheel BB bag and gemstone chandelier earrings.

Sylvie Wearing Proenza Schouler in "Emily in Paris" Season 3
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Sylvie Wearing Proenza Schouler in "Emily in Paris" Season 3

The high-neck jersey design, with its wavy trimmed sleeves, is a modern update to Sylvie's typically streamlined wardrobe.

Sylvie Wearing All-White in "Emily in Paris" Season 3
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Sylvie Wearing All-White in "Emily in Paris" Season 3

While her sheer white blouse and high-waisted trousers are a natural combination for Sylvie's slightly bohemian-inspired workwear, she adds a dazzling touch with Barbara Bui's silver metallic python bag.

Sylvie Wearing Vivienne Westwood in "Emily in Paris" Season 3
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Sylvie Wearing Vivienne Westwood in "Emily in Paris" Season 3

The fall 2015 archival piece is styled with Prada sandals in the fifth episode.

Sylvie Wearing Maison Rabih Kayrouz in "Emily in Paris" Season 3
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Sylvie Wearing Maison Rabih Kayrouz in "Emily in Paris" Season 3

Making for one of her most memorably vibrant outfits, Sylvie teams an orange silk Maison Rabih Kayrouz blouse with a magenta ruched skirt and metallic knee-high stiletto boots.

Sylvie Wearing a Coral Belt in "Emily in Paris" Season 3
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Sylvie Wearing a Coral Belt in "Emily in Paris" Season 3

Sylvie's colorful bejeweled coral belt makes for a surprising cinch on her double-breasted white trench coat, which is accessorized with hammered, yellow-gold jewelry and tortoise sunglasses.

Sylvie Wearing Renaissance Project in "Emily in Paris" Season 2
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Sylvie Wearing Renaissance Project in "Emily in Paris" Season 2

For Savoir's swanky boat party, Sylvie wears a chain-embellished dress and matching jacket, both of which were custom-made by Renaissance Project Paris. Both pieces are so perfectly tailored, no wonder Erik has his eyes on her the whole evening.

Sylvie Wearing Weisanto in "Emily in Paris" Season 2
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Sylvie Wearing Weisanto in "Emily in Paris" Season 2

At a social event with Erik's friends in episode eight, Sylvie shows up fashionably late in a black-and-gray Weisanto dress that fits her like a glove.

Sylvie Wearing an Emerald Blouse in "Emily in Paris" Season 2
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Sylvie Wearing an Emerald Blouse in "Emily in Paris" Season 2

Sylvie rocks green like no other.

Sylvie Wearing a Black Bikini in "Emily in Paris" Season 2
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Sylvie Wearing a Black Bikini in "Emily in Paris" Season 2

During a quick Saint-Tropez getaway, Sylvie rocks this black two-piece featuring rings on the top and bottom.

Sylvie Wearing a Patterned Coverup in "Emily in Paris" Season 2
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Sylvie Wearing a Patterned Coverup in "Emily in Paris" Season 2

After taking a dip in her black bikini, Sylvie wraps up in this sheer patterned coverup on the beach.

Sylvie Wearing an Alaïa Jacket in "Emily in Paris" Season 2
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Sylvie Wearing an Alaïa Jacket in "Emily in Paris" Season 2

Even those wild Pierre Cadault suitcases couldn't distract us from admiring Sylvie's zippered fringe jacket, which is another Alaïa piece. The chocolate hue is très chic, and so is her leopard-print Roger Vivier bag.

Sylvie Wearing a White Wrap Shirt in "Emily in Paris" Season 2
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Sylvie Wearing a White Wrap Shirt in "Emily in Paris" Season 2

Sylvie puts all plain white button-downs to shame with this twisted wrap top by Helmut Lang.

Sylvie Wearing Maison Rabih Kayrouz in "Emily in Paris" Season 2
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Sylvie Wearing Maison Rabih Kayrouz in "Emily in Paris" Season 2

For her lunch date with Emily and Camille, Sylvie layers a purple Maison Rabih Kayrouz coat over a black lace midi dress and finishes the look with a studded Valentino purse and two-toned Francesco Russo pumps.

Sylvie Wearing Saint Laurent in "Emily in Paris" Season 2
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Sylvie Wearing Saint Laurent in "Emily in Paris" Season 2

Sylvie shows off her love for workplace metallics again when she pairs this gold Saint Laurent blouse with a black slitted Maje skirt and Alaïa belt.

Sylvie Wearing Leonard Paris in "Emily in Paris" Season 2
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Sylvie Wearing Leonard Paris in "Emily in Paris" Season 2

Sylvie's pink-and-gold leopard-print blouse by Leonard Paris is enough to outshine that plateful of croissants — and that's saying a lot.

Sylvie Wearing a Strapless Jumpsuit in "Emily in Paris" Season 2
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Sylvie Wearing a Strapless Jumpsuit in "Emily in Paris" Season 2

While attending Gregory Dupree's larger-than-life runway show at Versailles, Sylvie keeps it sleek and chic in a belted strapless jumpsuit and white scarf.

Sylvie Wearing Rick Owens in "Emily in Paris" Season 1
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Sylvie Wearing Rick Owens in "Emily in Paris" Season 1

Sylvie's pared-back style in season one is reflected in this Rick Owens combination of an LBD with a sheer mesh panel and the label's Quiver bag, a sleek clutch.

Sylvie Wearing Topshop in "Emily in Paris" Season 1
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Sylvie Wearing Topshop in "Emily in Paris" Season 1

Sylvie's olive satin wrap dress is transformed into a top in season one and styled with a black Rick Owens stretch midi skirt. The bohemian-style pendant necklace is an ode to her underlying free-spirited nature.

Sylvie Wearing Christian Dior in "Emily in Paris" Season 1
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Sylvie Wearing Christian Dior in "Emily in Paris" Season 1

Sylvie's gold Christian Dior angel brooch finishes not one, but two of Sylvie's black dresses in season one, also pinned onto a Solace London off-the-shoulder midi with bell sleeves.

Sylvie Wearing Roland Mouret in "Emily in Paris" Season 1
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Sylvie Wearing Roland Mouret in "Emily in Paris" Season 1

Sylvie's cobalt-colored Roland Mouret off-the-shoulder top is a sophisticated silhouette cinched at the waist with a purple belt and styled over a slitted sarong skirt from & Other Stories.

Sylvie Wearing Alexandre Vauthier in "Emily in Paris" Season 1
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Sylvie Wearing Alexandre Vauthier in "Emily in Paris" Season 1

When Sylvie does venture from her neutral color palette in season one, she veers toward greens and blues, showcased in the form of this striking one-shoulder Alexandre Vauthier cocktail dress in episode seven.