There’s no denying that Emily in Paris is an entertaining watch—four seasons in and it’s just as good, if not better, than its debut season. It’s easy to see that Emily, played by Lily Collins, is maturing in her decisions at work and in her personal life, and it’s also reflected in her sense of style.

Season 4 Part 1, which is now streaming on Netflix, explores workplace trauma and harassment, reflecting more realistic and important real-world issues. The series has come a long way from season one, but it still has that entertainment factor, making you want to binge-watch the show. Even the supporting characters, like Mindy, played by Ashley Park, and Sylvie, played by Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, are more three-dimensional. 

For Collins and Park, these conversations were just as important. They love that the show balances a fine line between lighter drama and serious topics. As for the fashion, both actors couldn’t stop raving about the new looks. 

During a recent Zoom interview, Park and Collins reveal how their own sense of style has evolved over the last five years, and how Emily in Paris has evolved four seasons in.

MF: Darren Star said that season four is about the evolution of Emily in Paris, with her being more mature and vulnerable. How do each of you feel about your growth as actors over the last 5 years? 

LC: “My eyes have opened wide to a lot of things that I probably wasn’t aware of before. As an actor, being present and in the moment for so many unexpected things that may or may not happen, and also as a producer, just being so aware of every intricacy and part that goes into creating the whole. In life and the show, my voice has deepened or strengthened in a way that I’m super grateful for and also would only have come with time.”

AP: “I think the best art and artists react to the world around them and the people around them. I think so much has happened in our world and our industry in the last five years. I know that both of us put a lot of thought and care into the stories we want to be a part of, and how we’re going to tell those stories.”

The show touches on some important topics this season, including Sylvie’s storyline. What was important to you creatively for the direction of the show and character arcs?

LC: “It’s taking things that are important in the world and bringing it into our world, and having all these different characters explore those concepts, ideas, storylines, and have their voice reflected within the show. Being able to have a show that does address things in culture as well as in our little bubble world, is important because we have a massive platform to be able to shed light on really important things while also making it something that people want to feel good watching. So there’s a fine line, but I’m proud of the show and how it deals with those issues.”

AP: “Especially because we’ve been with these characters four seasons now. Watching how a topic that we may know about in a larger scope affects the individual and the specificities of that one character”

I always look forward to seeing Ashley sing on the show—how much have you enjoyed infusing that self-expression into Mindy? 

AP: “I think it’s probably one of the most challenging but rewarding aspects of the show for me. I come from the world of singing and dancing live on stage, and I think understanding how it translates into this medium has been like a whole different adventure. I have great support from my scene mates. But, I think for me, at the end of the day, no matter how wild or challenging certain aspects of it are, the fact that, like my grandma, can turn on Netflix and watch it and not have to buy a ticket to fly somewhere to watch me sing and dance is great. I’m very proud of the way that we incorporate the musical elements into the storytelling of the plot of the story, and what’s going on with the characters internally, and not so much just performances.”

We love Emily and Mindy’s bold outfits. How would you describe your own sense of style? Has playing these characters influenced your aesthetic?

LC: “I think playing Emily has broadened my horizons and allowed me to take more risks, or knowing that you can mix certain colours and prints and textures in a way that feels genuine and chic and very cool. I would say she’s bolder with her colour choices and all of the mix and matching. I think I’ve always been quite European at heart, growing up half in Europe, half here, I’m maybe more on the minimalist classical route, with a touch of vintage but I also get very much inspired by the people I spend time with, and I love to switch it up and try new things.” 

AP: “But also, when we’re in Paris, I was affected by Parisian fashion because it was my first time there when we filmed this series. Nowadays, me and my boyfriend, Paul, who’s also on the show, just share a suitcase because I love an oversized T-shirt. We just share clothes now and we are not the same size. I love wearing oversized stuff, and he wears things a little tighter. I think what also the show has taught me is that there are some outfits that, after three days of filming them, I’m like, I can’t wear this anymore. So for me, I’ve felt the most confident and like I own my fashion when I just feel good in the outfit. That’s something I wasn’t used to before this show, and it’s taught me, that whether it’s for a scene or just like a red carpet or just like for life, I have to feel great in it. That’s so important.”

Emily in Paris Season 4 Part 1 streaming now on Netflix.