Style without compromise...

A masterclass in following your instincts by Elsa Peretti

My interview last week with Ali Labelle had me thinking deeply about style. The thing that came up over and over again was intuition. Whether it’s traveling or getting dressed or deciding to take a leap of faith in any direction, I’ve always led with my intuition. Having a close relationship with your instincts and intuition is everything. Even in design- the pieces I designed from my gut, exactly as I wanted myself, despite doubt from colleagues- those pieces flew, they always flew. Anytime, I betrayed my gut in design, sales suffered.

I had a conversation with Nili a while back that has stayed with me- we talked about this very subject. She told me that when she walks into her own store, she loves every single piece in it, exactly as it is, without compromise. She tallied that up to her success. If she loves it, other people will too.

Similarly, Michael Rider shared a piece of advice with the design team when he first joined Polo- he encouraged us to put our whole heart into whatever we’re designing because the customer can feel it in the end. And I really believe that. Whatever you do, when you put your whole heart into something, it can be felt.

That brings me to What’s Mine is Yours. With every post I share, I can feel I’m getting closer to my own instincts. Closer to creating from a place that feels personal and true. By sharing what I love, I hope it will help you discover what you love too.

That brings me to one of my all time favorite muses, Elsa Peretti. She is the definition of a designer who followed her intuition in design and created a lane of her own in style- which can be seen not only in her work, but in her personal style, and her home.

It was sometime last year that I discovered images from her home in Sant Marti Vell, a small town in Spain. The space was filled to the brim with pieces from her travels, collected overtime. Her home is the physical representation of building style through intuition. Design like this can only happen over time with a consistent, true vision and instinct. The style of her home is undefinable because it’s personal. Its soulful. It is a masterclass in leading with intuition and instinct when it comes to style.

I curated a collection of 12 pieces inspired by Elsa and her home in Sant Marti Vell. I already purchased a dress I intended on including in the edit which is evidence that I’m sharing things I really do love. I uncovered some incredible treasures for you too- like an 1800’s indigo dipped top, studded saddleback trousers, and a suede fringe market bag- because what’s mine is yours. Let’s get into it.

1. Vintage French Work Shirt, Mens Sz 38, $127

   1. Vetra is a french work wear company that’s been around since 1927. They still make product in their own factory today. I love the image of Elsa that she I clearly wearing a similar french work shirt (great search term) because if you can look closely you can see the loop in the neckline. This color of this vintage is divine. The structure in the fabric of these french work shirts are very structured, sculptural and chic. I love wearing them over over a pair of slouchy trousers like the ones below.