Her hairstyle and dainty face made an instant impression. But there was a time when the title character of Jean-Pierre Jeunet's film, Amélie, was exp
Her hairstyle and dainty face made an instant impression. But there was a time when the title character of Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s film, Amélie, was expected to sport a far more mundane ‘do. But when hairstylist John Nollet applied his vision to the coiffure of then-newcomer Audrey Tautou, he created a worldwide hair phenomenon. Speaking with Vanity Fair, the star stylist revisits Amélie Poulain’s memorable bob 25 years after its April 25, 2001 debut.
The film’s director, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, had a ponytail in mind for the character of Amélie Poulain. Why did you suggest anything else?
For me, Amélie couldn’t be this teenage woman who spends time in front of a mirror every morning. She’s focused on others, on life, on the little details of everyday life. I saw her as brunette, with low hair. The bob was an obvious choice. I fought for the idea, because I thought it would convey spontaneity, simplicity and freedom. In the end, Jean-Pierre Jeunet agreed, and the silhouette became one of the film’s visual signatures.
What do these tidy lines and the exposed nape of the neck say about the character?
This very low, tidy bob, with a little fringe, is both graphic and lively. I liked the idea of a natural coiffé-décoiffé, something impromptu and youthful that doesn’t look too constructed. This cut has a tidy shape, but it retains a lot of movement. It had to reflect Amélie’s personality: a free, generous, slightly bohemian teenage woman who observes the world with mischief and gentleness.
It’s a hairstyle that reveals the face and immediately gives character, while remaining very straightforward. The tidy lines give the face great presence. The uncluttered nape of the neck adds a sense of freshness and lightness. It creates a very direct, very true silhouette. Amélie is not someone who hides. She looks at people, observes them, marvels at everything. This cut reflects that transparency and vitality. She’s almost childlike in spirit, but also very assertive.
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