Carven Pre-Fall 2024

The Carven Pre-Fall 2024 lookbook dropped yesterday and the format is very The Row. It’s helpful to have the details noted on the images.

Gnothi Seauton

Do I know thyself? Or, am I in a rut. When I bought the beige Hermès Orans recently, I did wonder if I’ve settled into a humdrum personal style with a wardrobe of, predominantly, classics. Should I have considered The Row jellies? Miu Miu boat shoes? Alaia Mesh Ballet Flats? Perhaps. For now I’m going to stay the course; I’m confidant that I will continue to wear all of these shoes for years to come.

Bits & Bobs

Summer is certainly zooming by — July fourth is already in the rearview. This is the second year that I’ve used the Diptyque Citronelle & Geranium Spray as bug repellent and it really works. Their seasonal Ilio line is lovely, too — especially the hair mist. I took instant pictures with this Leica Sofort 2 at a dinner and left them for the hostess as a gift. J. Courtney Sullivan is one of my favorite authors, and her recently released The Cliffs is next in the queue. And, Hermès joined the Mary Jane brigade with their Jane Ballet Flat. They’ll be great come fall.

Thoughts on Editorial

My entire career has been in fashion editorial. From casting fashion editorials for Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, to sharing my thoughts on fashion and style via keep it chic, editorial is what I do. I love magazines, yet, these days, I find fewer and fewer stories and articles to highlight. Indie magazines are my go-tos for inspiration and Konfekt is in the top three. The editor’s letter, which frequently touches on something that’s been thrumming in my thoughts, is the first thing I read.

In Marcela Palek’s opinion piece in the Issue 93 newsletter, she talks about packing her favorite items for a recent holiday, and her controlled panic when her luggage was lost. Ms. Palek confirms why this is one of my biggest fears when she says “(a)ren’t certain items of clothing almost like trusty companions in life? Such good friends are hard to come by: it takes time to find them, to recognise their value. Then the friendship has to stand the test of time.”

Fortunately, the luggage was located and I am thankful to have her thoughtful story to share.

Dorothy’s comment gave me pause. I, too, have mostly beloved items that I’ve worn for decades, and would be crushed if they were lost. My biggest dilemma when packing for our month-long trips to Paris is deciding, which items go in a carry-on, and which items I am willing to lose. A hard choice, always. I think this is why I challenge myself to take pieces that I rarely wear, i.e. the least precious and most dispensable. 

Floral Designer Ariella Chezar

Week before last, I attended a workshop with esteemed floral designer, Ariella Chezar. I admire the wildness in Ariella’s work tremendously and was thrilled to meet her in person. She was delightful and exceedingly generous with advice, tips, and plant material from her Zonneveld Farm in upstate New York. Needless to say, her most recent book, Home In Bloom, is stunning and the perfect summer gift.

Fall Inspiration Courtesy of The Row SS25

Quite simply, even though this look is from The Row’s SS25 lookbook, it is topping my FW24 inspiration board. Not the first time this has happened. The grey, moss green, and red combo is fantastic.

Summer Reads

Two of my favorite authors released new titles yesterday. Claire Lombardo’s Same As It Ever Was and Parade by Rachel Cusk are next in the queue and ready to be packed.

Valentino Resort: Classics Amidst The Chaos

Okay, I admit that I was one of the eye-rollers when I saw Alessandro Michele’s surprise Valentino resort collection yesterday. However, I agree with Robert Burke, luxury consultant and CEO of Robert Burke Associates, when he shared his thoughts on the collection with Vogue saying “I think if people say it looks like Gucci, really it looks like Alessandro — but done in not a Gucci way, in a much more refined, feminine sophisticated way.”  Yes, and there is a lot to love here.

The Chloé Clog-Mule

I flipped when I spied the Chloé clog-mules on the runway in late February. A few weeks ago I bought a pair in black and love them so much that I just bought them in tan and in brown.  The brown is really a mahogany. They may not look it, but they are comfortable and walkable — a real win-win.

They run a tad large.

In Love With Linen

This outfit — on one of the gorgeous Danish Moosgard twins — is my summer inspiration. The white co-ord set of shirt and shorts paired with their Lié Studio earrings and black slingbacks is perfect for summer in a city. I’ve never been a linen fan, an unmade bed always comes to mind. But I have done a 180 and recently purchased a number of pieces from James Perse and Alex Mill. We leave for Martha’s Vineyard in a few weeks and then London. Linen feels right for both.