Are you feline it?
What Tory and friends wore to the opening of our new concept store; the ultra-chic TV show that's about to be our obsession; and a post-holiday style hack.
Our new concept store — a collaboration with Humberto Leon — opened this week on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles. The façade and interior feature the work of German photographer Walter Schels, a longtime favorite of Tory’s, whose animal portraits appear in our Resort 2024 collection. Tory met Humberto in the early 2000s when he launched Opening Ceremony in New York with co-founder Carol Lim, and has always admired his creativity.
Humberto curated the space with the same instinctively idiosyncratic sensibility that made Opening Ceremony a cult shopping mecca. He commissioned Mexican artist Aranza Garcia to create the pink ceramic seating and strawberry vases, which we didn’t realize until just now that we desperately need in our lives.
Schels’ cat portrait inspired a feline fest — the shag carpet evoked a cat tower, cat masks were offered as party favors. Lukita Maxwell even brought her kitten as a plus-one.
We celebrated the opening on Wednesday night with Tory and a host of L.A. friends in the new Spring collection and box-fresh Resort deliveries. Natasha Lyonne looked out-of-this world in the black Hoop dress and Awkwafina proved that a skirt suit can look cool. And while we were already big fans of the Swing Satchel, Rashida Jones only made us want it more. As is a designer’s prerogative, Tory wore a custom look. A studded shirtdress, styled as a coat, in the same family as this belt and these pants (available in March) from Resort ’24. Chef’s kiss to the to the contrast of the heavy metal with a featherlight techno shirt from Spring ’24.
WHAT SHOULD I…WATCH? FEUD: CAPOTE VS. THE SWANS
Speaking of cattiness, the second installment of Ryan Murphy’s Feud series launches this week, and we couldn’t be more excited. The cast is thoroughly iconic. The women they play never left the house less than impeccably dressed and coiffed. In case you’re inspired, we have some ideas.
Swan by night. Lee Radziwill at Capote’s Black and White ball, 1966; and CZ Guest with the Duke of Windsor in 1951. For a modern gala, the Tulle Draped Dress, Crystal Earrings, Kira Diamond Quilt and Cylinder Heel Sandal.
Swan by day. Babe Paley in New York with husband, legendary CBS head William Paley. The Double Layer Mockneck, Stretch Wool Pants, Lee Radziwill Double Bag, Cut-Out Kitten Heel Pump, Teardrop Earrings and Runway Sunglasses.
SOM SAYS: KEEP THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT, SORT OF
Som Sikhounmuong is a Tory veteran (she started at the boss’s kitchen table and is now Sr. Director of Design Research and Styling) and internal icon. We recently asked Som what she thought women might need to hear in the dregs of winter.
Her advice: Don’t let the party end, at least fashion-wise. “We buy all these holiday items, then they get put in the back of the closet [in January],” Som explained.
These festive bits can, however, can add verve and interest to daytime ensembles. Som styled three Holiday 2023 pieces into non-party looks to inspire us to extend our holiday wardrobe CPW.
1. The Lace Button-Down
Party clothes typically show off skin, à la this button-down in corded lace with elegantly elongated cuffs. Add layers, says Som. Either under, like the black turtleneck shown here, or something over — a tailored jacket or men’s cardigan. Paired with a cotton skirt, the lace relinquishes its fancy airs, becoming an interesting texture in the mix of Som’s own Casey Casey skirt and Alaïa flats.
2. The Velvet Evening Bag
“I love having a precious fabric bag, then wearing it every day,” says Som, who started the practice with her satin Prada pochettes. Once you stop thinking of this adorable Mini Velvet Kira as an evening bag, it’s simply a jewel of an accessory that conveniently holds your phone. We love the tonal coordination with Som’s Acne sweater, but it would also play well against a khaki trench, grey cashmere sweater, colorful mohair cardigan and so on. “You just have to experiment,” says Som.
3. The Crystal Ballet Flat
This doesn’t require Olympic-tier mental gymnastics, since the fancy flat has become a daytime staple. But let’s take a moment to appreciate the cute contrast of the satin and crystal ballets against our corduroy suit and Som’s Gucci overcoat. For extra romance, try the flats in ballet pink.
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