There’s an old adage that goes, “Dress for the job you want, not the one you have.” I’m going to change that a little bit and say, “Dress for the house you want, not the one you have.” I recently read an article about how an interior designer daily look is very similar to how they style a home. That ultimately, they are walking advertisement for what they can do for their clients. Which means if I start dressing for the house I desire, then will people think that’s how I live?
I chose four of my favorite interior designers and I thought about what would an outfit look like that symbolize their work and life of the resident inside the home. This is all very tongue-and-cheek, but that’s the fun part. Enjoy.
You started as a New York photographers assistant. After the best weekend of your life in Palm Desert you moved to Los Angeles. Your home perfectly epitomizes the mid-century modern look, but it doesn’t feel trite. The furniture in your house was designed by friends who just so happen to be on the AD100 list. Emily Bode personally offered to make your wedding dress. Your best friend opened a by-appointment only boutique and sends you the latest pieces from Cristaseya. You knew of Flamingo Estate before it became Flamingo Estate. At this point you are fully bi-coastal, and view your LA home as where you ground yourself before heading back to New York to drink with your former fashion editors turned substack writer friends.
You have friends all up and down the Eastern seaboard. You know exactly where to be and when to go to avoid the tourists. You know that Kiawah Island is best for Thanksgiving, Saint Michaels is where you begin the summer season, and you have a “small” cottage in Camden. You wouldn’t be caught dead joining the day trippers in Nantucket or Kennebunkport. You know where the best lobster rolls are and you have more striped cashmere sweaters than you can count. You make a yearly pilgrimage to Charleston to walk around the historic district for design inspiration. Your home is breezy and elevated. There’s always a little hint of sand around it from years of coastal living. Nothing in your home is too fussy, but nothing in your home is too casual. You epitomize the words “Timeless” and “Demure.”
You know how to make an ice cold, dirty martini better than any restaurant. Alex Eagle studio calls you anytime a new suit has come in and they have your measurements on file. You don’t antique shop like normal people. You find the vintage pieces that only those with a pedigree in antiques can identify. All your T-shirts are white or black and have that perfect vintage lived in feel and are deservedly expensive. You believe every outfit looks better with a tuxedo jacket draped over your shoulders. You have your favorite restaurants in every city and that is where you go. You would never go to a place where others desire to be seen. Your vacations are in small towns in southern France and Italy where only the most established creatives go. Frankly, these towns are not even on maps. Your jewelry is vintage, your handbags are well-loved, and your watch collection is your pride and joy.
If Jenni Kayne and Gwyneth Paltrow combined forces, it would be your home. In fact, when Jenni Kayne decided to start her home line she called you direct because she trusts your opinions on furniture and the best fabrics. You always have some kind of get together happening. But they’re small, and full of thought leaders in the female founder space. You only use organic skin care, with the exception of your once a year visit to Knockout Beauty in the Hamptons where you ask for the works. Your farmers market basket was made by a local weaver in Ojai and every Saturday you are at the market picking up greens (strictly greens) for the house. You have three people on speed dial; your tailor, the local reupholstery shop, and your jeweler.
