The new face of Chanel handbags, Vanessa Paradis, says French women inspire each other to be stylish.

The actress - who was raised in the suburbs of Paris - doesn’t think France’s capital is any more fashionable than other cities, it’s just that their way of life makes their clothes more accessible.

“I don’t think French women have more style. Maybe it’s because Paris is a city where you walk in. In America, everyone drives, and you cannot see what anyone is wearing when they are locked in a car. Here, everyone checks out each other. We communicate with clothes here more and, as a result, inspire one another.”

The 37-year-old beauty, who is a favorite of Karl Lagerfeld, also revealed how she has given up smoking to help stop the ageing process: “I quit smoking roll-ups, which helps enormously; that’s it. I do drink lots of water, though I like wine - Bordeaux.”