Miss France 2025: Does anyone care?

Miss Deja Vu

Does this scene evoke anything? This is no surprise: every year, on almost the same date, a young woman wearing a crown on her head and a sash on her chest bursts into tears and falls into the arms of other equally charming young women; no crown. Next to them is Jean-Pierre Foucault, who is always systematically under the influence of the moment. This year, the scene played at the Futurscope theme park near the central French city of Poitiers on December 14 and starred a woman named Angélique Angarni-Filopon. She is Miss France 2025.

Made in Vaison

Angarni-Filopon, 34, became the oldest winner in the history of the pageant, which has long been limited to women under 24, and was awarded the traditional Miss France sash. The sash, which is 1.60 m long, 9.5 cm wide and is secured with a lapel pin, was created by the French company Varinard, which has been based in the town of Vaison-la-Romaine in the south of France for many years. Fun fact: The company that originally specialized in flag production now also produces mayoral sashes.

All is fair in lace and war

Angarni-Filopon’s large pink tulle petticoat calls for a little history lesson. The material takes its name from the town of the same name in the central Limousin region of France, where the lace type lace known as “point de Tulle” is made. Later in 1777, industrial tulle was developed in England, allowing lace to be replicated on a larger scale than Tulle. The British version quickly became of such quality that Napoleon banned its import in 1802 to protect French craftsmen who were suffering from such fierce competition.

All this shines

The abundance of sequins adorning the various outfits here – particularly on the dress worn by Cindy Fabre, director of the Miss France national pageant, on the left of the image; and the jacket worn by this year’s jury president Sylvie Vartan reminds us that this decorative element is one of the most enduring fashion trends in history. Judge for yourself: In 1327 BC, Pharaoh Tutankhamun was mummified and then covered in small, sequin-like coins that were believed to ensure his financial stability in the afterlife.

Stepping out in (flower) style

Foucault, ever the ringmaster of the pageant, wore a classic tuxedo, not his best, with a burgundy bow tie and a red carnation in his buttonhole. This gives us the opportunity for a little cinematic detour: Harrison Ford, Indiana Jones and the Temple of DoomHe also wore buttonholes like Marlon Brando. Godfather and Sean Connery golden finger. Therefore, Foucault was following in the footsteps of the elders. Will his style leave the same lasting impression? Only time will tell.