What’s wrong with Emily in Paris?

Emily in Paris – the newest production of the creator of Sex and the City, Darren Star with costumes by Patricia Field, set in the ultimate European destination, Paris sounds like everything we need this fall of 2020. The whole concept gives a major Carrie Bradshaw vibe, who runs around Manhattan in high heels and is not afraid to ask difficult questions about relationships, friendship, or sex. But instead of New York City’s urban jungle and a Cosmopolitan, the series features Parisian coffee shops and brings the notion of expensive, sublime French champagne that you want to pop on a cozy sofa and enjoy it as soon as possible. Sip by sip, episode by episode.

Careful, you might have just drunk an expired glass of bubbles. 

I was on a plane back to Spain when I put the show on, excited that I have something to do for the next few hours. Emily in Paris was such an obvious choice for me because just like Emily I’m an expat in a Mediterranean country, I had a trip to Paris coming up later that week, not to mention being a huge fan of Sex and the City series. 

The first two episodes went by, and I already knew that this one is far from my beloved SATC. One might ask where’s the drama or at least a tad bit of reality?. Do new English-speaking friends really find you on the street by themselves? (From experience, not really) Does each photo added to Instagram bring a few hundred new followers? (That would be a no, too)

After all, Paris is a magical city, but not miraculous.

But what is most painful is the apparent lack of female solidarity. The main character goes out with almost every man who chats her up, even if her friendships or professional life are at stake. I can’t help but get the feeling that Emily falls in most of her love adventures completely inertly. She passively gets involved in yet another coincidental affair. It is my personal belief that she gives more thought to her Instagram photos than to the men she kisses.

When it comes to fashion, at some point Emily’s style reflects the sugary plot of the series. Don’t get me wrong, I adore vibrant coats, color blocking, and everything that Patricia Field has to offer. Fashion is the strongest point of this production. The style of Camille, Sylvie, and Emily is a fantastic source of inspiration, even if we are not able to do the perfect wavy hair the way Emily does, or we cannot afford Camille’s dress from Chloé.

There are many outfits to be remembered and recreated, but there was one in particular that caught my eye. A checkered suit by Veronica Beard (with a price that can make your head spin), I’ve replaced with the navy-white co-ord by Heartbreak. I wanted to put on a baby blue beret (the color I absolutely adore), but finally, I gave in and decided to go with a full Emily-Cooper-look. So I bought a woolen beret in red and flew to Paris!

When you use the names of the creators of Sex and the City to promote the new show, it’s not just good bait. It becomes a promise made to its fans. It is puzzling, however, how, compared to the series from almost two decades ago, Emily in Paris did not turn out to be very progressive. And yet so much has changed, so many topics could get a fresh perspective without repeating the usual stereotypes. 

Still, after so many years, is Carrie Bradshaw with her Cosmo more up to date than Emily sipping sparkling wine?

But here’s the thing about a cheap bottle of bubbles; no matter how hungover we wake up the next day, there’s a high chance that we will drink it again.