Bal Harbour

C O U R T E S Y O F T H E B R A N D S Where have you been traveling lately? I was at the Dior show in Los Angeles, the red carpet in Cannes, the Venice Biennale, Cannes again, New York, London, and then back to LA. I plant trees all the time to offset my travel; it's something I feel very strongly about. I've planted well over a million trees. What excites you most about your guest residency at Bal Harbour Shops? That by giving them a bit of my knowledge, our clients can shop with confidence and feel great. We [personal shoppers] are all therapists of some sort; you have no idea what someone is going through—maybe they're dealing with an unwell parent, or have just lost 100 pounds or gained 50. With a little retail intervention, we can have a really good time and plan for the future. If you had to distill your approach to styling, what would you say? In my world, nothing is a wear-something- once look—including a wedding dress. So, I like to first shop the client's closet and then add on. Sometimes it's about need, sometimes it's about want, but the bottom line is it's really about what's going to make your life easier. Having more isn't always better; having quality is better. I often say, This is the fun one, but I want to prove to you that you can wear it six different ways, six different days, for six different years, to pass on to six different children. What's on your work radar now? I like to be quiet about what I do and loud about what other people are doing. I'm interested in the intersection of arts and culture and fashion. For Cruise 27, Dior showed at LACMA and Louis Vuitton showed at the Frick. Chanel recently announced a partnership with the Pompidou. We're seeing that people are starting to think well beyond film and fashion. What has been some recent dialogue with clients about summer style? One of my clients recently said, Oh my God, I want to be like a Sargent painting! I under- stood the [John Singer Sargent] reference and said, I hear that. Let's bring Sargent into today and not be literal. Then we can move forward and work with Erdem or Chloé. Pieces you never leave home without? Rimowa carry-ons are lighter than most and allow me to pack more. You'll never catch me with a big fat case! Inside I have two Toteme dresses; one for every day that you can slip a sweater or shirt under—or over, to make it a skirt. Add a blazer and it becomes a suit. Heels for evening. Add jewelry for black tie. The second dress is evening-only or, with flats and big jewelry, goes to a fancy lunch. Most important are classic pieces I can layer and twist. Always a navy jacket and two white T-shirts. Ralph Lauren's double-breasted blazers are key, with a white satin crewneck, white jeans, or tuxedo pants. Slip your hair back, throw on earrings, and you are killer in a Helmut Newton outfit. I bring a Chanel bag—there will always only be one style, as far as I'm concerned. My collection started early on. One a year when I could afford it. End of story. I can't live without my chargers and my Steamery steamer. I pack pilates clothes by Spanx. And I would actually not leave my house without my fragrance, Fracas. It defines me. How about swimwear and cover-ups? I only wear Eres swimsuits. For my sons, who are in their 20s, it's Orlebar Brown or Prada. For cover-ups, I tend to have three huge scarves. One of them is cotton from Saint Laurent that can double as a dress. Another is plain black in a thin cashmere-wool blend that works for warmth and also over a white dress. Throw a shawl over your shoulder and wrap a gold belt around it. Use one as a blanket on the plane. Other must-have summer accessories? The thing is to figure out what can take your beach dress to the party. Alexis Bittar jewelry really works. I have a blue lace straight-to- my-ankle beach dress that I've worn with my Eres swimsuit underneath it to black-tie events. Find the best sunglasses that really work for your face, and then you don't need eye makeup. I find Prada flats to be the chicest. But I tend to wear Tevas—everyone asks for the designer and no one believes me. Though there is a Chanel brown-suede thong sandal I'm jonesing for. So I pack Tevas or a thong sandal, comfortable black strappy heels, and a gold wild card if I have room. Wear one pair, pack the other two. Additional packing tips in your arsenal? Versatile means white, navy, black, gray— neutral tones—because you need to layer things on to get several wears. Jeans take up a lot of room. Everyone has two favorite pairs, so wear the heavier jeans on the plane. Always pack two extra days' worth of underwear. Always flat-fold. I don't like the roll technique. If you are bringing sneakers or boots, use the insides as packing grounds for socks and belts. One or two belts, not five. I always bring a gold Chanel chain belt and a brown leather belt. Everything has its place in my bag; I love using those colored Walker zip bags. How I would love to be a fly on the wall of your closet. Here's what people would never believe: I've been doing this for more than 44 years; I have one rail and six drawers of clothing. Clothes are not important; they are just the fun part. Life is short. Wake up every day and get dressed to feel good from the inside out. Respect yourself, respect others, and always be kind. Vuitton announced We're think well dialogue with Oh my God, my God, my I painting! I under- Sargent] reference things a lot pairs, Always underwear. roll technique. boots, socks always brown in my zip bags. How of your Here's been have Clothes fun part. get dressed Respect always ALEXIS BITTAR Molten bangle bracelet SAINT LAURENT Leopard stole PRADA Canvas pumps CHANEL Coco Beach calfskin mules DAVID YURMAN Monstera drop earrings but the bottom what's going to make more isn't always better. I often say, want to prove to you different ways, six different years, to pass now? and loud doing. I'm arts and Dior Vuitton showed Vuitton showed announced a We're seeing chicest. chicest. asks asks for Though Though sandal sandal I'm thong sandal, heels, and Wear one Additional Versatile neutral tones—because things things CHANEL million trees. your guest Shops? knowledge, confidence and feel all no idea through—maybe parent, or gained 50. With have a future. approach to wear-something- DAVID Monstera DAVID Monstera RALPH LAUREN Double-breasted stretch-wool blazer TOTEME Sablé dress FRACAS Eau de parfum RIMOWA luggage tag double-breasted satin crewneck, Slip your you are killer bring a Chanel one style, collection could afford without my steamer. I I would actually my fragrance, How about I only wear are in their For cover-ups, scarves. One Laurent that is plain black ALEXIS BITTAR Molten bangle bracelet TOTEME Long satin dress DAVID YURMAN DAVID DAVID ORLEBAR BROWN Bulldog Sport swim shorts

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