Style Staples with Alice Fresnel
ALFIE's Founder Shares Her Six Signature Wardrobe Staples
Over the past five years, Paris-based Alice Fresnel has steadily built her brand, ALFIE, which elevates everyday wear with thoughtful details and an effortless sense of cool.
Inspired by ’90s icons like Christy Turlington and Amber Valletta, as well as her personal experience growing up as the younger sister of two brothers (read: borrowing men’s shirts from a young age), Alice has created a signature style where each collection celebrates a timeless, pared-back approach. Characterized by clean lines, unfussy silhouettes, and a subtle blend of softness and structure, it is an approach that blurs the lines between masculinity and femininity.
In this week’s Style Staples, Alice Fresnel shares more about her style, her six signature wardrobe staples from ALFIE’s collection, and which pieces make up her ultimate very Cabmate outfit.
How would you describe your style?
“My style is a reflection of quiet confidence, minimal but never plain. I lean into clean silhouettes, refined fabrics, and well-constructed pieces that balance structure with ease. As the founder of ALFIE, I treat clothing as storytelling: Every piece I wear should say something without shouting. Think tonal palettes, relaxed tailoring, the occasional bold accessory, and a sense of unbothered elegance.”
What staple pieces make up your signature wardrobe?
Staple 1. The Padded Homme Shirt
“The Padded Homme Shirt is the piece I probably wear the most. It’s soft, lightly padded, and has that perfect oversized shape. It’s like the kind of shirt you’d steal from a man’s closet, but cut to actually flatter a woman’s body.
It’s warm enough to wear as a jacket when it’s cold, but light enough to keep on indoors. I throw it over everything: dresses, jeans, trousers. It’s one of those rare pieces that works all year and just makes you feel cool without trying.”
Staple 2. Matching Sets
“Honestly, matching sets are what I reach for when I don’t want to think too much but still want to feel put together. There’s something about the ease of it, throwing on two pieces that just work. Ours are made from this beautiful Italian cotton that’s usually used for men’s shirts. It holds its shape, feels great on the skin, and just makes you look sharp without trying too hard.”
Staple 3. The Backless Top
“The Backless Top feels the most like me. It’s minimal from the front, but the open back gives it that unexpected twist. I love how it shows skin without feeling too exposed—it’s confident, not loud. I’ve worn it during the day with loose trousers, and at night with nothing but a good heel. Out of everything I’ve designed for ALFIE, this might be my favorite.”
Staple 4. The Crew Neck Tee
“Our tee looks like the simplest piece in the collection, but it took me over a year to get it right. I didn’t expect a T-shirt to be the most challenging thing to design, but actually, finding the perfect cut, weight, and feel took real time. I wanted that classic crew neck shape, but with just enough structure to elevate it. Clean, easy, and timeless. It taught me that simplicity is the hardest thing to perfect—and also the most rewarding.”
Staple 5. The Valletta Skirt
“I really think everyone should have a skirt like this in their wardrobe. It’s the kind of piece that does all the work for you: sharp, minimal, and cut in this soft black leather that just gets better over time. You can throw it on with a tank or a knit and instantly feel pulled together. I named it after Amber Valletta because she has that effortless strength I had in mind when designing it. It’s probably the most useful piece in the whole collection.”
Staple 6. The Evie Coat
“This is the coat I live in all winter. It’s warm and heavy in the best way, with that quiet structure that instantly pulls everything together. When I designed it, I really wanted to capture the perfect balance between femininity and masculinity—the kind of effortless Parisian woman’s allure you feel when you wear it. It’s strong, but soft around the edges, flattering without losing edge. I throw it on over anything, and it just works.”
And finally, which pieces would come together as your go-to Cabmate outfit?
“My go-to Cabmate outfit would be oversized trousers, a fitted white crew-neck tee, classic sneakers, and a long leather coat. It’s balanced: relaxed, but intentional.
The trousers bring ease and movement, while a tee keeps it clean and close to the body. I love how sneakers make a look feel grounded and unfussy, and a leather coat adds just the right amount of structure and edge. It has that ‘90s simplicity I’m always drawn to—minimal, confident, and quietly put together.”
ALFIE
Parisian womenswear brand ALFIE embodies the essence of effortless femininity, blending luxury with simplicity in every piece. Founded in 2020 by Alice Fresnel and inspired by ‘90s minimalism, each ALFIE collection celebrates a timeless, pared-back approach to style.
Offering elevated yet easy elegance with a French cosmopolitan spirit at its heart, ALFIE speaks to women who value quiet sophistication and understated allure.
ALFIE has recently opened it first Paris Showroom, 31 rue Etienne Marcel, 75001 Paris. By appointment only.
