I was told I was hard to dress”: Faustine Bollaert breaks her silence
Feeling comfortable in your clothes in front of millions of viewers is a battle Faustine Bollaert fought in silence for years. The TV presenter is now lifting the lid on the aesthetic pressures she faced throughout her career, speaking to Gala magazine in its 23 July issue.
Very real pressures in the world of television
Behind the polished, colourful image the presenter projects on screen lies a less flattering reality. Faustine Bollaert admits she was told, on numerous occasions, that her size 40 made her hard to dress and that certain silhouettes were, in the words relayed to her, not “telegenic“. These remarks, repeated over the years, are a reflection of the aesthetic standards still very much alive in broadcasting, where women’s bodies remain a subject of constant commentary.
That kind of language, far from harmless, takes a toll on the way a woman sees her own body. Yet the presenter refused to let those criticisms dictate her wardrobe choices. Instead, she chose to build a style that is entirely her own.
A personal style forged far from the rulebook
Rather than trying to meet externally imposed criteria, Faustine Bollaert gradually developed a wardrobe that reflects her personality. She gravitates towards flattering cuts, vibrant prints, bold colours and timeless pieces. The guiding principle is simple: wear what makes you feel good.
A devoted fan of colour and sequins, she also welcomes suggestions from her stylist to push her out of her comfort zone, while always adapting trends to suit her own personality. This approach to fashion, rooted in pleasure rather than obligation, took a concrete form in 2023 with a collaboration with the brand Grain de Malice. The resulting collection blended velvet, sequins, comfortable cuts and flattering silhouettes, designed with every body shape in mind.
- Flattering-cut dresses as the cornerstone of her wardrobe
- Vibrant prints and bold colours worn with confidence every day
- Sequins and bright hues embraced without a second thought
- A collaboration with Grain de Malice in 2023 centred on an inclusive collection
- An ongoing partnership with her stylist to explore new directions while staying true to herself
Pink as a signature colour, well beyond the wardrobe
Among all the shades she loves, pink holds a special place for Faustine Bollaert. She carries it all the way into her home décor, having opted for 100% girly appliances in her kitchen. The consistency between her personal style and her living environment says a great deal about how fully she inhabits her own tastes.
Her daughter Abbie, 12, has a marked preference for black, the polar opposite of her mother’s colourful world. Two generations, two aesthetics, but the same freedom to choose.
Faustine Bollaert and femininity at every age
The presenter’s vision of fashion goes far beyond the question of everyday style. For her, dressing with joy is not something reserved for a particular stage of life. She is clear about her desire to remain a feminine woman as she ages, to keep wearing colours and lipstick, even as a grandmother one day. It reads as a firm refusal of the sartorial erasure so often associated with getting older.
It is a message Faustine Bollaert carries with enthusiasm: fashion should first and foremost be a way of expressing who you are, not a tool for correcting or concealing. A philosophy shared by a growing number of women who are claiming an unapologetic elegance and choosing to dress for themselves, with confidence and pleasure.
