‘Vie Active’

This story, styled by Suzanne Koller, is from M Le magazine du Monde‘s spring fashion issue. I love a hits-of-the-season portfolio, especially in Ms. Koller’s hands.

Photography by Sam Rock

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It Feels Like La Rentrée

With a first vaccination appointment on my calendar, I’m anticipating that by mid April I will be able to venture out more. It feels a bit like la rentrée, the French term for the transition to the start of the school year. And like the first day of school, I’m excited to finally wear the items I bought in early 2020 (then shelved), and a few new things, too. To quote Miuccia Prada ‘optimism is mounting.’

Samira’s Harper’s Bazaar

The March issue of Harper’s Bazaar just hit newsstands and it fully reflects editor Samira Nasr‘s vision. The new Bazaar is inclusive, has elevated its cultural coverage, and will have longer essays — all welcome changes. But fashion and, more importantly, luxury are equally Samira’s focus. In a Washington Post profile, Samira tells Robin Givhan that ‘(s)he would make no excuses for celebrating luxury because luxury, Nasr says, is freedom. It’s the ability to make choices about how one looks, what one does, where one goes.’  I made the collage above with images from the current issue. My favorite article is on the production and cultural importance of the Birkin bag with quotes from one of my style icons, M fashion director Suzanne Koller. Samira encourages her readers to ‘…enjoy your clothes, wear them. You’ve invested in them.’   Hear, hear.

‘Tie Break’

I’m inspired by this story from March Vogue Paris for two reasons: It’s almost blazer weather, and soon I’ll be able to play tennis and squash again. Here’s to warm weather and a vaccine.

Photography by Robin Galiegue  Styling by Virginie Benarroch

Maintenance is a Mindset

Last Friday I was invited to speak to my sister’s class at Skidmore College. We chatted via Zoom about where the fashion industry is going and some of the good changes hastened by the pandemic. Sustainability, resale, buying less were topics we touched on. One student talked about the importance, instilled in her by her grandmother, of maintaining and repairing the things we own. This mindset is bedrock to my thinking and I was so happy she brought it up. I repair everything and refuse to toss something because it has a hole or scratch. So, when I saw this new service from Farfetch, my heart skipped a beat. If you don’t overpurge and maintain your beloved clothes and accessories, they should last a lifetime, or even longer.

‘Real Life’

A number of fashion industry insiders photographed their children for a story in February Vogue Italia. I love this image of 15-year-old Ava Barbieri, daughter of stylist Anastasia Barbieri, because it’s exactly how I dressed in my early 20s.

Celine dress, Gucci loafers, another version of the Gucci belt

‘Nomadland’

Director Chloé Zhao’s ‘Nomadland’, out today on Hulu, is already an Academy Award contender. Any film starring Frances Mcdormand is a must-see for me. Review and film clip in The Wall Street Journal, and an excellent profile on Ms. Zhao in New York magazine.

On My Inspiration Board

White, off-white, ivory, cream — I love them all, especially together.

Jil Sander sweater, skirt, and sandals. Top Ferragamo PF21, bottom The Row FW21

On The Runway

Since many designers are presenting outside of the rigid fashion week calendar, I’m going to title all FW21 posts ‘On The Runway’. I love these easy dresses from Zero and Maria Cornejo left and Jason Wu right. Knee-high boots are still going strong and these from Ulla Johnson are really good.

‘5 Accessories to Cruise Into Spring With’

PHOTO: MARKN

An ice storm is heading our way and this seemingly never-ending winter is starting to get to me. I tore out this image from the WSJ. Magazine Women’s Issue and pinned it, with actual push pins, to the wall next to my desk. I want to be cruising, window down, in these fabulous Loewe sunglasses and top.