Olivia Palermo, out and about recently, carrying a Chloe Alice Springs bag (named for the photographer Alice Springs, aka June Newton, wife of Helmut Newton?). I have been looking for a new bag and ordered a Givenchy shopper in black. But I like the Alice, it reminds me of the Fendi Chameleon a bit. But would I carry it if it doesn’t go over my shoulder? Hmm.
I do love Olivia’s Vince sweater and leather leggings- a very chic run-around look.
Nikki Kule portrait by Marko MacPherson for Keep it Chic
KiC recently caught up with one of our first Style Setters, Nikki Kule. Last summer I was thinking about a kid’s cashmere fisherman-knit sweater that Nikki had designed a few years ago. I asked her if, by any chance, she had one left over. “You’re in luck!” she replied and proceeded to tell me about the Kule women’s line she had set to debut this fall.
So, with KiC photo team in tow, we stopped by her uber chic (70′s mixed with antiques) apartment to preview the premier Kule collection. You have to remember, despite being an Upper East Side mother of two and head designer of Brooks Brothers’ children’s line, Nikki is super cool and relaxed with boho-meets-prep style. The eponymous collection captures its “preppy luxe” tagline to a T, with perfectly cut grey wool trousers, tailored jackets that are “just so”, sleeveless sweaters, Breton striped tops, and a bunch of great accessories. The entire line, plus some hand-picked “essentials” from MiH, Woolrich, Black Fleece and others, are available on her Kule website.
And yes, there is the most divine cashmere fisherman-knit sweater in her new collection!
You have been successful at designing children’s clothes, what made you want to re-launch Kule as a women’s line? I have been so lucky to have customers who have been so incredibly supportive over the years and willing to share directly with me what they want and what they are looking for. So many of them asked me to make the kids clothes in their sizes. Also, many of them would wear the kids clothes themselves. I made a couple of capsule collections for women years ago and they did very well. As soon as my kids grew out of the kids clothes I decided it was time to do something that was pure me.
Who is the Kule customer? She definitely has style and wants to always look great but she does so in the most effortless way. I want my customers to always feel comfortable but cool and modern at the same time.
You describe Kule as being Preppy Luxe. What is your inspiration for the line? I love everything that is classic and timeless. But even with the most iconic styles, fashion is never finished. I am inspired to reinterpret them in the most luxurious fabrics with a modern take. This season I found inspiration in the Scottish Aran knit sweater, the stripe boat neck tee and an old vintage Fair Isle sweater. I made them in super luxe cashmere with a sleeker fit to bring the classics to this decade. The preppy look is what I grew up with and what I aspired to wear as a teenager. I was always influenced by the New England aesthetic– the collegiate look from movies like The Graduate and Love Story and stores like LL Bean and Brooks Brothers.
Kule essentials: Everything I design is meant to be timeless and classic. That is the definition of an icon and the essence of the Kule brand. I want my customer to feel that each piece is an investment that they can wear for a long time. I plan to have my basic items, like the cashmere sweaters, always available.
Your fall essentials: Fall essentials aren’t so much about the items as what I am doing. For example, I love taking walks in Central Park with my kids on the weekend. That to me is a ‘fall essential.’ As for clothes, I will be wearing my Brooks Brothers Black Fleece Macintosh bowler bag and Mih oversized white shirt with a Kule Scottie ivory sweater and a Woolrich down coat.
Coming next season: This was a very small collection that will be sold mainly online. Next season the collection will include more handbags and I am currently working on shoes. Mostly, I have been working on sourcing globally to expand Kule’s design capabilities and to insure a truly unique look to each piece.
I have had hair, and more specifically hair products, on my mind recently. One of my favorite mini outings is a trip to the pharmacy – not a big-box drugstore, but my local, somewhat old fashioned, apothecary-like, pharmacy. It carries the basics, and stocks a ton of high-end and European brands as well. When I feel like splurging (but not spending a fortune) I hit the pharmacy for a quick fix.
A few weeks ago I read on Into the Gloss (one of my favorite blogs) that Aerin Lauder loves Klorane shampoo, but she does not use it exclusively. Actually, she uses a number of different brands. And my favorite bit in the interview is when Aerin confesses to choosing them for their packaging. Gotta love that!
So, I decided to copy Aerin. On my last swing through Locust Valley Chemists, I made packaging the priority. And you know what? I discovered some great new products in the process!
Aerin’s shampoos © Into the Gloss.com
While shopping in Italy (on her 40th birthday), Gwyneth sports her trademark, low-key yet very chic, run-around style. I have been obsessing over a grey Balmain/Aurelie Bidermann tote, similar to the one above (Saint Laurent?), and now I really want it. The untucked button-down, jeans and booties is a fave basic uniform.
Not a fan of posting outfit pictures photographed on yours truly, I am thankful to the street photographers for snapping all the stylish women while they are out and about in the run-around looks we all live in (or want to). I mean, really, how many of us are walking the red carpet?
The matching stripes on Miranda Kerr and her son Flynn are adorable.
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