So, you’ve made it to Monoco's Station. You’re probably tired. Your party is likely a bit beat up from the last crawl, and then you see him. Or it. The Grandis Fashionist. If you haven’t played much Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 yet, let me tell you—this isn't just another merchant trying to hawk basic potions.
This guy is a mood.
He’s one of the "Grandis," these weirdly elegant, adult-like beings that inhabit the world of the Paint. While the younger Gestrals want to rip your head off, the Grandis usually just want to talk. Or, in this case, judge your outfit. Honestly, the Grandis Fashionist is probably the most intimidating NPC in the game because he doesn't use a sword. He uses rhymes.
Who Exactly is the Grandis Fashionist?
Basically, he’s the gatekeeper of the "Pure" outfits. These are sleek, white-and-gold variants of the base Expedition gear for the female leads: Maelle, Sciel, and Lune. You can't just buy these. Money is useless here. He wants "poetic wit."
You have to verbally spar with him.
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Think of it like a 19th-century French rap battle, but with more metaphors about light and shadow. It’s very on-brand for a game titled Clair Obscur. The term itself refers to chiaroscuro—that high-contrast lighting you see in Caravaggio paintings. The Grandis Fashionist lives for that aesthetic. If you don't match his cadence, you walk away in your standard, mud-stained traveling clothes.
Getting the Answers Right (Without Stressing)
I’ve seen people reload their saves ten times because they keep picking the "wrong" rhyme. It’s kinda funny, but also annoying if you just want the gear. The trick is to listen to the rhythm of his first two lines. He’s setting a trap with the meter.
For Maelle, he’s looking for something that mirrors her sense of duty but acknowledges her grace. For Sciel, it’s a bit more analytical. Lune? Well, she’s always a special case.
- The Maelle Riddle: He’ll start some flowery nonsense about roses or steel. You need to pick the response that emphasizes the "unyielding light."
- The Sciel Quiz: Focus on the "clarity of the stroke." Remember, these characters are effectively living inside a painting. Everything is about the brushwork.
- The Lune Challenge: This one is the trickiest. He gets a bit more abstract here. Just remember that Lune represents the "reflected glow."
If you nail the responses, he doesn't just give you the clothes. He gives you a whole speech about how your soul is now "clothed in truth." It’s a bit much, but hey, the white-and-gold trims look incredible during the turn-based finishers.
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Why the "Pure" Outfits Actually Matter
You might think it’s just cosmetic. In many JRPGs or turn-based games, it is. But in Expedition 33, the Grandis Fashionist represents something deeper about the lore.
The Grandis are symbols.
According to some of the community theories and developer interviews (shoutout to Francois Meurisse), the Grandis represent how the protagonist, Verso, perceived adults as a child. They are "grown up." They are sophisticated. By winning the Grandis Fashionist's approval, you’re basically proving that your characters have the maturity to handle the later, darker stages of the Expedition.
Plus, the visual contrast is huge. Most of the game is dark, moody, and oppressive. Walking into a boss fight wearing the Pure outfits feels like a literal middle finger to the Paint. You are the light in the dark.
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Don't Forget the Grandis Merchant Nearby
Just a quick heads-up: don’t confuse the Fashionist with the standard Grandis Merchant at Monoco's Station. That guy is great for restocking on Pictos and Tints, but he won't give you the secret threads.
You actually have to go out of your way to find the Fashionist. He’s usually tucked away in a corner where the lighting is—you guessed it—dramatic.
Actionable Tips for Your First Encounter
If you’re standing in front of him right now, do these three things:
- Swap your lead character: You have to talk to him as the specific female character you want the outfit for. He won't give Maelle’s outfit to Gustave.
- Read the poem aloud: Seriously. It helps you catch the rhyme scheme. If the line ends in an "or" sound, don't pick a response that ends in "ee."
- Check your inventory for Eternal Ice: While not directly for the Fashionist, you'll need this drop from the boss Gargant to unlock other high-tier items from the regular Grandis Merchant nearby. Might as well do it all in one trip.
The Grandis Fashionist is a weird, wonderful part of why this game feels so different from your standard fantasy RPG. It’s pretentious, it’s stylish, and it’s unapologetically French. Just like a good outfit should be.
Go get those Pure outfits. They make the photo mode ten times better, especially when you’re standing in the middle of a collapsing dreamscape.
Next Steps for Your Expedition
To make the most of your stop at Monoco's Station, ensure you have talked to the Fashionist with all three female party members sequentially. After obtaining the Pure outfits, head over to the regular Grandis Merchant and check if you have the materials to craft the "Survivor" or "Energising Death" weapons, as these complement the high-contrast aesthetic of the new gear while providing a necessary power spike for the upcoming boss encounters.