Interview: Helena Frith Powell, author of “All You Need To Be Impossibly French”

Last week I had the immense privilege to interview Helena Frith Powell, author of “All You Need To Be Impossibly French: A Witty Investigation into the Lives, Lusts, and Little Secrets of French Women”.

British expatriate Helena Frith Powell reveals in her book how French women stay impossibly thin and irresistibly sexy by achieving the maximum effect from the minimum amount of effort. Forget diet and inspiration books and style guides as this is all you need to embrace the wisdom of French living, and learn how to turn every day into la petite aventure.

Read more about “All You Need To Be Impossibly French".

Note, I purposely decided to use the same list of question as for Mireille Guiliano's interview, in order for my readers to be able to compare the two authors views of the same aspect of French culture.

1. Would you say that French Women live under constant pressure to be “slim” in France?

"To a certain extent yes, I have never met a Frenchwoman who doesn't say she needs to lose weight."  (HFP)

2. Where does this pressure come from? How is it expressed? Why do you think it is so important for French women to be slim?
"It comes from themselves! And also I think from the men around them who expect them to be slim. I think being slim is seen as a pre-requisite for being attractive and sexy, which is why it is so important. They just don't get the Italian voluptuous look at all for example."    (HFP)

3. What are your views on the “French paradox”? How do you think it can be explained?
"Moderation - there is no paradox, they just don't pig out or drink too much. They have "bad" things like full-fat cheese and wine, but a small amount." (HFP)

4. Do you think most French women consider themselves to be “beautiful”? Is it true that French Women are arrogant?
"I think they do, remember Coco Chanel said "There are no ugly women, just lazy women." French women make the best of themselves at all times and are very good at showing off their most attractive features. I do think they have a certain arrogance, or maybe arrogance is too strong a word, confidence might be more fair." (HFP)

5. How do you explain the huge success of your book “All You Need To Be Impossibly French”?
"I think it did so well because everyone is fascinated by the enduring chic and sexiness of French women, and we all want to know what their secret is, so that we can emulate them!" (HFP)

6. What is your best weight loss tip for Mademoiselle Slimalicious’ readers to try?
"MODERATION! Have some wine, but have one glass not four, have some cheese but have one piece, and if you have a cheese course, don't have pudding as well. And chew as much as you can bear!" (HFP)

I would like to personally thank Helena for donating her time to Mademoiselle Slimalicious blog, answering all of these questions and sharing her best weight management tip with us!

You can purchase a copy of Helena Frith Powell's book

“All You Need To Be Impossibly French” on Amazon