I love Pre-Fall collections — the clothes are predominantly everyday wear and I look for styling tips to use now. These Max Mara looks are good inspiration. The short jacket, midi skirt, and loafers together is very chic. And the look below is giving me serious Michael Kors FW10 vibes.
It’s the final two weeks of 2025 and I am racing to finish a number of books and listen to the most recent interviews on Bella Freud’s Fashion Neurosis podcast. Ms. Freud penned a terrific piece on the meaning of clothes for FT. The documentary on the 100th anniversary issue of The New Yorker is a must-watch if you are a fellow fan of the magazine. I am putting a projector in the guest bedroom in lieu of a television. There is one in our favorite apartment in Paris and it works like a charm. My favorite gift to receive is a book, preferably one I would not have chosen myself. Seascraper by Benjamin Wood is one of those gifts — it is beautifully written and I am so happy I read it. Before 2026 I hope to finish Charlotte Wood’s Stone Yard Devotional, The Safekeep, Yael Van Der Wouden’s debut novel, and My Friends by Frederik Backman. And, this Leset top and shorts set is my current reading-by-the-fire outfit.
We go back to Paris right after New Year’s. The next day I fly to Vienna to see Helmut Lang Séance De Travail 1986–2005, a retrospective of Helmut’s career in fashion at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK). Vogue posted an excellent piece on the exhibition week before last. Of all the shows, magazine editorials, and advertising campaigns I cast, casting for Helmut was the highlight of my career. I worked with Helmut and Melanie Ward from the late ’90s until Helmut left in 2005 following the sale to Prada. During that time, Melanie and I were, also, editors at Harper’s Bazaar. Mel was amazing and her recent death was a shock. Today, Helmut is a celebrated artist and I own one of his sculptures. I cast the model who wore the shearling that is part of the sculpture that hangs on my wall. This thought brings me great joy.
My polaroids from the final two HL shows, and my beloved sculpture.
Every December I take a table at a Christmas Luncheon. This year I decided to shake things up and host the lunch for my dear friend Amanda Ross Bacon and asked her to do the guest list. Amanda is a phenomenal designer and a passionate board member of Teaching Matters, so I was excited to meet a few of her friends. Not only was it an incredible group of women, they brought 5-star hostess gifts.
Remembering that I have a knack for finding four-leaf clovers, Amanda gave me the D. Porthault trays. Our mutual friend, the writer Kate Betts who just launched Editors@Large on Substack, gave me a Dagne Dover travel toiletry organizer — it’s next-level and I will take it to Paris in January. Knowing that I chair the New York Committee of the GCA and my commitment to NYC parks, Kate, also, brought Trent Preszler’s new book, Evergreen. Cathryn Collins, the brilliant designer and founder of I Pezzi Dipinti, rivaled Amanda for the chicest-woman-in-the-room award. Thank you, Cathryn, for the gorgeous scarf. Other fab presents I received — Olverum Bath Oil, Torta di Torrone, and Carlos Mota’s most recent book, Purple Fever — make for excellent hostess gifts as well. Thank you all!
P.S. I decided to skip red and green and, instead, broke out the Commission skirt from a few years ago. Pairing it with a grey crewneck sweater and brown The Row pumps helped tone-down the sequins for a luncheon.
Books are my favorite present to give and, especially, to receive. This LL Bean tote is an ideal gift bag. Perfection by Vincenzo Latronico and Harper Lee’s The Land of Sweet Forever are atop the stack next to my bed. I’m obsessed with the hair in look 11 from the Gucci Pre-Fall 2026 collection images, my 2026 hair goal. Joachim Trier’s film Sentimental Value looks so good I will go to a theater to see it. Despite the mediocre reviews of The Neighbourhood’s new album, Ultra Sound, their songs Hula Girl and Private are terrific. And, I hope Santa will bring me a really nice coffee cup for my drive back and forth to the city.
Kate Betts and Michael Boodro, ex-Vogue colleagues and dear friends, recently launched Editors@Large on Substack. Lots of folks call themselves editors, but these two are the real deal. Their newsletter is a must-read.
The Allude sweater is so perfect that I bought an embarrassing number in both black and grey. However, late January I am hosting a morning event and have challenged myself to not wear black or grey —this Proenza Schouler skirt may fit the bill.
Holiday debuted an interiors and gardens magazine and it is gorgeous. Lastly, Auteur Superlative Cream Voyage is next level. My skin has never looked better.
Matthieu Blazy held the Chanel Metiers d’art show, his second collection for the house, in the Bowery Street subway station. The clothes, casting, and venue all get top marks. Without a doubt, a wish-I’d-been-there moment.
I always think I need more dresses and non-jeans pants, but the truth is I rarely wear either. When getting “dressed” I always opt for a skirt and I am resolved to lean into this choice. Street style inspiration images, like the top two, are saved to my desktop, I will buy a second of a favorite midi-length and make it shorter like the one lower left, and I feel like I’ve hit the jackpot when I find a skirt that I’ve been eyeing on sale lower right. I, also, love skirts because they are easy to alter.
One of the things I have learned from going back and forth from NY to Paris so often is that packing multiple coats and jackets isn’t optimal. Even though I take trunks, coats are the ultimate space hogs. Finding something to go with both pants and skirts was a challenge. The Row’s Althena anorak — from a number of seasons ago — hit the mark. A bit more polished than a traditional parka, and less cumbersome than a wool coat, this down-filled, cashmere-lined jacket has been the perfect space saver. I now make the trip with one less trunk.
The Celine shoulder bag caught my eye when I spied it in the runway images last July. So chic, and large enough for a laptop. As a fervent acorn motif fan, the Verdura earrings are everything. If they come in a smaller size they will top my Christmas list. I am searching for these The Row pumps, please share if you see them. Finally, it is no secret that I am a kerchief headscarf devotee and this The Row cashmere neck scarf doubles up nicely. Charcoal grey is not available stateside yet (soon, I’m told), so I’m having one sent to my BFF who is in London for the week. Thanks KB!
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After 20 years casting models for Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and fashion shows, I wanted to spend more time with my daughters. KiC is my way to share my thoughts on fashion and style. I believe style should permeate every aspect of our lives — from home, to family, to where we go, and naturally, what we wear — especially when we're just running around.
— Preston Davis
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