On My Mind
We are on the cusp of spring and white accessories brighten my now tired and dreary winter uniform. I’ve pulled out my Gucci 1955 bag and Dior pumps and have been wearing them with grey and brown. Dior reissued the Boy Slingbacks for SS24, a style from the PF20 collection that arrived in stores while the world was in lockdown. I bought four pairs from that overlooked collection — two black kitten-heels and the pumps in both black and cream — I’m a huge fan of broguing. Mine do not have the Christian Dior logo across the instep, which I prefer. Even though white tights looked great in the Chanel couture show, they’re not for me.
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There were a lot of funky shades of green on the Milan runways, moss being my favorite. Last March I posted on the Saint Laurent hobo in burgundy, it’s been a workhorse in my wardrobe this past year. Now I’m eyeing the larger version of the same hobo in a mossy shade. Would be great next fall, too.
Paris FW24 Collections
Chemena Kamali’s debut collection for Chloé resurrected the fun, feminine, cool-girl style that made the Chloé label so beloved. And, a kitten-heel clog — a kind of clog + mule mash-up — is a dream come true.
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With a nod to a trench — and also the girl guide uniform — this Toteme skirt would be a solid addition to my spring wardrobe. I would wear it with the Frame or Chanel slingbacks. The long belt tail looped and down the front is chic, or one of my own Miu Miu belts.
On My Mind
After reviewing my SS24 runway posts from last September, I’ve narrowed down my spring wishlist to this Chanel dress and a pair of either black Saint Laurent or green Prada satin slides bottom right. These are can’t-wait-to-wear items.
While I Wait For Spring
In the meantime, I’ve been wearing some oldies but goodies. The Valentino coat has been out and about, Birkins, too, and my mother’s choker and sister’s short double strand of pearls have seen the light of day. Years ago, my sister gave me a gorgeous long single strand of pearls. I rarely wore it, so last summer I had the single strand restrung into the short double strand necklace above.
London FW24 Collections
Daniel Lee hit the bullseye with these three coats from his FW24 Burberry collection. They are exceptionally good-looking and have zoomed to the top of my fall wishlist. The shearling, especially, is a standout.
On My Mind
While I’m keeping an eye on all-things fashion, I’m also involved with all-things garden. I am in two GCA garden clubs and was tapped last spring to help choose the speakers for one of them. This has been a fun and somewhat nerve wracking endeavor. This week we hosted the brilliant K Greene, co-founder of the Hudson Valley Seed Co. I was introduced to K by the artist Carol Greenan Bouyoucos. Carol designed their most recent seed packet, which features foxgloves. I can’t wait to see the NYBG Orchid Show that opens tomorrow. The theme is Florals In Fashion. Thankfully, the fashion community is focused on overconsumption and this new campaign, ‘Girls Just Wanna Grow Plants’, makes me smile. And, a big congratulations to longtime kic reader Laing F. Rikkers on her ‘Best Book Cover Design’ award for Morning Leaves.
Below is an excerpt from Harper’s Bazaar editor in chief Samira Nasr’s recently launched newsletter titled Samira’s Notebook. Since the newsletter appears to be for subscribers only, I posted it briefly then removed it. Karen asked if I would rerun the bit on Sofia Coppola’s NYC picks.
Favorite coffee spot?
For a coffee or a Negroni, Bar Pisellino. I love their little Italian sandwiches when you need a quick bite on the way to a movie or to go for a trip. And then McNulty’s on Christopher Street is such a great and historic place to buy teas and coffee.
Bite to eat?
I like RedFarm on the Upper West Side for dumplings and EN Japanese Brasserie for classic Japanese food and beautiful flowers. You can reserve a tatami room for a small group for special occasions.
Neighborhood go-tos?
Thompson Chemists is a family-run pharmacy in SoHo where you get real customer service and European pharmacy products. I go to The Color House New York on Lafayette for film processing and to buy Kodak Portra 35mm film. For books, Three Lives & Company in the West Village. I love to go there and discuss books with the staff.
Art?
The Judd Foundation preserves Donald Judd’s home in SoHo. Call for a private tour.
Let’s talk clothing. Denim? Favorite white tee? Socks?
I go to the Levi’s on Broadway for classic jeans. It has a great tailor and customization department, and you can bring your vintage Levi’s in to get altered. This is my favorite white tee and these are my favorite cashmere socks.
I am building a stack of bangles and will add the David Yurman Cable bracelet. I love the cable ring from a recent post and I only wear oval shaped bangles so this one is a win-win. For evening, when I want some serious sparkle without breaking the bank, I pull out this glamorous Merrichase cuff by my friend Jennifer Powers.
Designer Kendall Conrad could be a modern day Swan. She is in the process of shifting her business to a creative consultation studio for like minded brands. Everything Kendall puts her mind to is chic. Good luck, KC!
And, this Toteme brown coat that I posted on last August is fabulous. Oversized is an understatement, runs extremely large.
NYFW FW24
The Carolina Herrera cape and bag are so chic, just wish I could wear them this spring and not have to wait until the FW24 collections are in stores late summer. And, the belted Bottega Veneta tunic and Frame jeans on the NYFW showgoer below get 5 stars.
Image courtesy of Vogue
Editorial
Miuccia Prada on the cover of March Vogue — with an accompanying must-read profile — is brilliant on so many levels and makes me incredibly proud to be a former Vogue editor.
On My radar
NYFW is underway and there are already some great coats on the FW24 runways. Proenza Schouler opened with a black peacoat and then repeated it in white. The bands on the sleeves are a nice detail.
Proenza Schouler showed a cream fluffy coat right, which made me think of Toteme’s FW24 coat left shown in Paris during the couture shows.
Derek Lam, the newly appointed creative director of the Italian brand Callas Milano, has some beautiful coats in his debut collection. Callas Milano is direct-to-consumer and is presenting the FW24 collection by appointment.
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