The week began with the Palm Beach set, where Andrea Stark (of Stark Carpets) hosted a lovely tea where I was guest speaker. Andrea is an entertainer supreme and a wonderful hostess. Andrea’s style and home is well appointed but not fancy. Andrea’s good taste made the event a huge success.
New York Women
Coco Kopelman
Coco Kopelman – Patron of the Arts. Always clad in Chanel and always so chic. She wears Chanel as if it were made just for her. I see Coco both in New York and Paris. We share our love for fashion and the New York City Ballet, and I am always enamored of her “look.”
Fe Fendi
Fe Fendi – Patron of the Arts. I love Fe’s style. She, of course, wears Fendi when she goes out, but it is so completely her — she is a great advertisement for the brand. Like Coco, Fe and I also share our passion for fashion and the New York City Ballet.
Michele Gerber Klein
Michele Gerber Klein – Patron of the Arts and Couture. I would say that Michele’s personal style is somewhat classic, but never boring. She is not devoted to one brand, although I know she particularly loves Bill Blass and Ralph Rucci.
Ahn Duong
Ahn Duong – Painter. Ahn’s personal style is a bit more adventurous. I saw her one time in an amazing Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture. It’s rare to find someone who can wear some “wild” fashion and look elegant. Ahn can pull it off with panache.
Aerin Lauder
Aerin Lauder – Beauty Industry Executive. Aerin is the personification of American Chic — whether she is at Mary Arnold Toys with her kids or at some fabulous party. Her simple yet elegant look always attracts the photographers.
Marina Rust
Marina Rust – Author. Another one of my favorites. Marina is a natural beauty — she wears very little make up. She wears the clothes, they don’t wear her.
New York Men
Tim Archambault
Tim Archambault – Architect and American Indian Flutist. Tim stands out in a crowd not only for the way he combines interesting pieces of clothing but for his sense of accomplishment and passion for the arts, both which make him a fascinating and stylish presence.
Tom Sachs
Tom Sachs – Artist. While this photo isn’t particularly “chic,” Tom is cool and an of-the-moment contemporary artist. He’s had exhibits in Paris at the Thaddaeus Ropac Gallery, the Beverly Hills Gagosian, and Fondazione Prada in Milan, among many.
Oz Garcia
Oz Garcia – Nutritionist. Although this photo is rather buttoned up, Oz is often seen during the day in jeans with a tuxedo shirt. I like the contrast of sporty with dressy. This interesting mix suits Oz.
Marcus Samuelsson
Marcus Samuelsson – Chef and Co-Owner of Aquavit Restaurant. A sharp dresser who clearly thinks about what he is going to wear. I think it’s important for a guy to pay attention to fashion — it’s the first thing you notice about a person. Marcus gets an A.
Scott Schuman
Scott Schuman – The Sartorialist. It’s Scott’s business to look good — and he does a great job — whether he’s working or posed, as in this photo. Scott is put together — a good example for men to follow.
John King
John King – CNN anchor. John needs to look good for TV. His business, like style, is professional and appropriate. It’s hard for men as they don’t have as many choices in fashion as women do, but he does well for his TV persona — adding color and texture that interests but doesn’t overwhelm.
Paris Women
Marisa Berenson
Marisa Berenson – Actress. I see Marisa both in New York and Paris. I love her hair — not so done. Maybe I should take a lesson and try to go au naturale — that’s more French after all!
Lou Doillon
Lou Doillon – Model. This photo is very done, but I saw Lou at L’Esplanade, one of my favorite restaurants in Paris, wearing her hair up in a loose ponytail with leggings and high boots, and I thought, “Oh my, she is so cool!” It’s just the French je ne sais quoi. Effortless chic.
Victoire de Castellane, Camille Miceli and Mathilde Agostinelli
Victoire de Castellane — Designer, Dior Haut Joaillerie, Camille Miceli – Louis Vuitton and Mathilde Agostinelli – Head of Communications, Prada France. Three friends who work in fashion with completely different styles. This photo reflects their personalities.
Cordelia Lanvin
Cordelia Lanvin – Designer. Fashion is in Cordelia’s soul because she was born into it — how lucky. She is now designing children’s clothes.
Alejandra di Andia
Alejandra di Andia – Designer. Of Chilean decent, Alejandra lives in Paris and is now creating her own couture line.
Paris Men
Lorenz Baümer
Lorenz Baümer – Jeweler. Lorenz is a jeweler on the place Vendôme. His look is classic but with a European allure.
Dominique de Villepin
Dominique de Villepin – Politician. It’s nice to see a politician with movie star looks – non?
Hubert de Givenchy
Hubert de Givenchy – Designer. To this day M. de Givenchy is the epitome of elegance and style.
Alexis Mabille
Alexis Mabille – Designer. A signature item can be the axis for style. Alexis – known for his creative bowties – weaves his look around his vision of extraordinary neckwear to an often androgynous yet always stunning effect.
Daniel Lalonde
Daniel Lalonde – President and CEO, Louis Vuitton N.A. I think any businessman would want to look like him.
Paris Couples
Jarvis Cocker and Camille Bidault-Waddington
Jarvis Cocker and Camille Bidault-Waddington – I saw them at a Louis Vuitton party hosted by Mario Testino one season during fall prêt-à-porter. I thought they looked hip.
Mina and Philippe d'Ornano
Mina and Philippe d’Ornano – A very glamorous and chic Parisian couple. Mina (who is in my book) is owner of minaPoe, a wonderful boutique on the rue Saint-Honoré. Her husband, Philippe, is the CEO of the Sisley company. He has the most incredible blue eyes.
New York Couples
Shirin von Wulffen and Frédéric Fekkai
Shirin von Wulffen and Fréderic Fékkai – Shirin’s natural and healthy good looks are the key to her effortless style — she is always smiling! Frédéric dresses simply and strongly, perfectly complimenting his sculptural and handsome face.
Rachel Roy and Damon Dash
Rachel Roy and Damon Dash – Rachel is like a tall, cool glass of water. She has a streamlined look with touches of “dazzle.” Damon is a Renaissance man, a music entrepreneur, a watch and Vodka designer/creator, and mentor to world famous musicians. He puts his life together the way he puts his clothes together – always the best brands with everything color and texturally coordinated.
That’s my first Chic List. These are some of my favorite style icons that I have admired in my travels. I’d love your feedback and there will be more coming.
I’m sure you’ve noticed all the attention socialites and their style have been getting lately. Sites such as socialiterank.com have been around awhile and lately, parkavepeerage.com has popped up. It is fun to see the attention being paid to non-celebrity women — I enjoy seeing stylish individuals in all walks of life. My passion is really for a kind of global style, confidence and chic — because that is what makes someone truly attractive anywhere in the world.
Like the icons in my book, each so vastly different, Paris designers imagine different worlds and visions of women uniquely personal to them – and this richness itself defines the style of La Parisienne.
When a woman taps into her unique personal style, this is the result.
Last night I went to the YSL show held on the top floor of the Pompidou Museum – what a fabulous place to have a show. The views from the museum are incredible – you see all of Paris by night – the Eiffel Tower, Sacré Coeur, Notre Dame – truly a feast for the eyes – but no better than the most beautiful collection so far by Stefano Pilati, the designer for YSL.
Yesterday I went to Akris – I thought it was the best collection ever.
