One of a kind. That was Lee Radziwill, born Caroline Lee Bouvier, who passed away at her home in New York City, on Friday, February 15. For those in the fashion world, the name “Lee” is synonymous with a certain kind of style. It’s hard to describe except that it is always perfect —a cotton t-shirt and a relaxed jean with a shredded hem; diamond earrings dangling above a slim black evening column; a window pane-checked mini skirt with exactly the right frisson of Mod and grownup allure.

But Lee and her influence transcend fashion. (Though we will thank her forever for the trove of images and books she leaves behind, full of her inimitable style.) Lee was a modern woman in every sense. Smart, multifaceted, complicated. She was an interior designer with an eye for color, pattern, proportion…and pink, a color she loved. She had a wicked sense of humor, and she supported the arts — among her circle of closest friends were Truman Capote, Cecil Beaton, Andy Warhol, Rudolph Nureyev, Leonard Bernstein and Peter Beard. And Lee’s influence on her older sister, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, was immeasurable and likely never fully realized publicly.

Ten years ago, Tory met Lee through a mutual friend. She had always admired Lee’s effortless, elegant style. And Tory especially appreciated Lee’s humor. Our Fall/Winter 2018 collection was inspired by Lee.

We love Lee for her ability to embrace change, beautiful things that inspired her and to not look back with regrets. Her friend Beard told T Magazine, “…That sums up Lee Bouvier Radziwill — everything is life enhancing.”