Bali, Femininity, & Fashion – A Conversation with Magali Pascal

Magali Pascal is the founder and creative director behind Parisian namesake label Magali Pascal. The French-born designer discusses how she found a soft landing on the beaches of Bali by melding her two worlds.

Pascal is of French descent – Paris to be exact. The designer’s preoccupation with fashion is as much a part of her as champagne and croissants are to the City of Lights. However, when her passion for design brought her to Bali, the minute she set foot on the heavenly island she knew she would never leave. Fast forward nearly 20 years later, her brand, recognized for its Parisian sensibilities and built-in Bali vibes, is now an international powerhouse.

Pascal’s entrance into the fashion world began organically. As a child in Paris, she was swept into the city’s many museums, quickly falling in love with the art, and it was then that the apparel architect knew this would be her path. As a French woman, fashion has always been a part of Pascal’s life, but it was not until she started to make clothes for herself that she realized she had a true passion for design. “I was obsessed with it and knew I wanted it to be my career,” reveals Pascal. “I see fashion as an art form for people to express themselves.” Having attended ENSAD where she studied fashion and dabbled in the cosmos of couture, from there Pascal landed a variety of internships at notable fashion houses acquiring a mélange of covet-worthy know-how. One of which led her to Bali. “I came to Bali in 2002, for a work project, designing a collection for a French company. I fell in love with the island and never left,” says Pascal.

If you have never been to Bali, it is a must-see destination. As poised as the beaches, as pastoral as the mountains and as vibrant as the art, if you have been fortunate enough to walk the foliage-covered streets of Bali, then you certainly can relate to Pascal. The Island of God’s beauty is difficult to ascertain through words, but it is home for epicureans like Pascal herself. If today’s global pandemic has put your travel plans on hold, Pascal’s pieces, inspired by both her French roots and Balinese lifestyle, will help you feel closer to the idyllic island. Enough to satiate your palate until you can book your ticket.

Magali Pascal, the brand, is a tale of two cities, but with a pleasant ending. Having started her label in a small studio in Bali, only a few years later - due to increased demand - Pascal decided to go international opening a flagship store in Sydney, Australia, and partnering with exclusive retailers worldwide. The Magali Pascal woman can effortlessly transition from sipping citron pressé sitting café side in Paris to sipping an arak cocktail relaxing on the shores of Bali. The label’s aesthetic was inspired by the French savoire-faire and the sophisticated, free lifestyle of bohemian living, lending to timeless pieces both ready-to-wear and high end: “designed for women who embrace their femininity.” With designs that stand out amongst the rest, due to the undeniable aspiration to stay true to that aesthetic, Pascal deeply understands her clientele and keeps those women at the forefront of all of her designs. The Magali Pascal woman is feminine, yet relaxed. She is interested in art and is travel savvy. She is romantic, strong, and timeless. Lou Doillon and Vanessa Paradis are Pascal’s favorite Parisian muses because they epitomize the Magali Pascal woman.

Touching on her enjoyment to design for the female form, Pascal’s clothes are sensual, in the most nonchalant way, with subtle, flowing movements. The collections are composed of intricate lace details and sheer, flowy fabrics. “With my label, I design pieces that can easily be dressed up or down for different parts of the world and different kinds of women,” shares Pascal. “I want [women] to feel beautiful, free, and confident. I want them to embrace who they are as women, embrace femininity and sensuality in their way.” Pascal’s current collection features loose shapes with raw and organic fabrics; feminine silhouettes that effortlessly transition from day to night.

With obvious nuances to the label’s inception in Bali, Magali Pascal is naturally an easy pick for summer festivities and warmer temperatures. “I was designing a lot of mini summer dresses with lace details and sequins,” says Pascal. This season, the Valentina top paired with high waist shorts or pants are likely to be a fan favorite. With summer nipping at our heels, Pascal’s pieces are the perfect addition to your wardrobe rotation – even if you are indoors. The designer suggests, “cotton blouses, with exaggerated volume sleeves and statement details,” to be front and center. For Pascal’s next collection, you can expect a fresh and colorful summer palette, she hinted as she continued to recommend pairing her signature feminine styles with shorts and jackets.

Not only are Pascals’ designs enviable, but so is her business plan to promote ethical, sustainable, and diverse practices. Her clothes are for women, by women as her team is upwards of 98% women strong. Supporting local artisans through her work, the designer also employed Balinese workers to comprise 90% of her team. Pascal further strives to reach zero waste, recycles through Bali Eco Recycle, and is in the process of eliminating single plastic use. The self-made designer believes that not only are these ethical and intentional choices the right thing to do, but they also act as pillars of her brand, where she believes fashion is heading next. “Today I feel so lucky to still be able to pursue my passion and dress all the women I admire,” beams Pascal. “The fashion industry is on the verge of a big change and I’m excited about it. We are looking forward to a modern world of sustainability and slow fashion.”