François Simon

After writing for gastronomic guides and magazines such as Gault Millau, François Simon became Editor in Chief of Cuisine et Vins de France and Le Figaroscope.

Then, he collaborated with Paris Première, animating the culinary chronic of Rive Droite / Rive Gauche, a TV show presented by Thierry Ardisson. In 2013, François Simon took the reins of Paris Dernière, a cult French TV program, taking us into his Parisian nocturnal wanderings.

In order to preserve his freedom of coming and going, this Japan lover is usually hiding his face on his tasty itinerary. When not writing for the Financial Times, GQ, Vogue Paris, and Air France Magazine, François Simon humorously expresses hig judgments on his website Simon Says, giving his best addresses and disaffection. Since 2015, he feeds the weekly food column of M Le Monde.
 

FRANÇOIS SIMON 

Interview of François Simon for J.M. Weston

What is your earliest memory of J.M. Weston?

It was on the Champs Elysées. I was struck by the warm welcome. For the first time in my life, someone complimented me on my socks. I almost blushed.

Do you consider yourself to be a contemplative person or an active person?

I think I'm more of a contemplative person. Wait, that's not true. I never stop being active.

What is the secret to masculine elegance?

If you're elegant on the inside, everything else will just fall into place.

Freedom & elegance are two values close to J.M. Weston's heart. What do they mean to you?

A way to rebel in a hard, bleak world. A healthy jolt. An escape from above.

A shoe in waxed marron ciré leather might enchant the palate, like good chocolate. What do you think?  

There is always a connection between our products, clothes, shoes, words, movements and thoughts. There's even something imperious about it. So when you wear a beautiful pair of shoes, you can't swear, act crudely or think bad thoughts. It's like an upper: a silky reminder.

Who do you think best embodies the J.M. Weston man today?

A man in his own category living in his own world, away from the crowd, riding along on a dream, carried by his sweet madness.

Which Weston shoes can you not do without?

My pale turquoise moccasins. They remind me of happy, intoxicating times. Wearing them again makes me almost want to buy them again. They carry with them a promise of a sunny day or a rooftop pool...

Is there an art to wearing Westons?

There certainly is a philosophy of life or humanism, otherwise it's just absurd. What we are can't be separated from what we do.