Book of the Week: From Vera to Veruschka
There’s a spectacular sense of discovery in From Vera to Veruschka, the new coffee-table book on the legendary supermodel, born Vera von Lehndorff. We’re all familiar with the German beauty and her impossibly long limbs; even if you haven’t seen her cameo in Michelangelo Antonioni’s Blow-Up (that’s her in the film poster, by the way), you’ve likely come across the iconic shot of her in a lace-up YSL safari jacket, rifle askew on her shoulders. But we’ve never seen her quite like this — and that’s what makes Johnny Moncada’s photos here, taken in Rome in the early Sixties, such a find. Hidden in his attic until his death, these revelatory, never-before-seen images capture the model pre-fame — in the fresh-faced years before she reinvented herself as Veruschka. “Perhaps you can see the beginnings of this transformation,” she writes. “[But] in Johnny’s photos I always remained Vera.”
Most Wanted: The Jersey Dress
Minimal effort, big impact. That’s our printed jersey dress in a nutshell. With a fluid drape and ultra-flattering fit, it’s a style that always looks pulled-together. Make it part of your everyday routine — and then take it on the fly: it’s wrinkle resistant and packs easy, too, making it ideal for warm-weather getaways.
From left: Tory’s Walker dress, Jamie dress, Viviane dress and Myrtle dress
Expert Guide: W’s Jane Larkworthy on Beach Beauty
The getaway glow, the perfectly mussed waves — we love a good beachy look. Here, W’s Beauty Director Jane Larkworthy gives us her insider tips for achieving sun-kissed beauty, whether you’re beach-bound or landlocked.
Tory’s Playlist: Spring Travels
Music can take you on a journey, but you can also take music with you on a journey. Here are some songs that can transport you and also fill your hotel room with song while you’re waiting for room service or changing for dinner. Oh, the things you will see and the things you will hear… Travel!
Listen now on Spotify.
Calgary Avansino On: London & The Vogue Festival
This weekend, it’s British Vogue’s big Vogue Festival. Designer names you can expect: Valentino, Céline’s Phoebe Philo, Proenza Schouler’s Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez…. Tory herself is giving a talk tomorrow, alongside Manolo Blahnik and Angela Missoni. And there’s plenty more taking place, too, as we discover in our talk with Contributing Editor and health and wellness expert Calgary Avansino, here wearing Tory’s Zora tee and Heidi skirt. She gives us the lowdown on all the weekend’s events — plus her tips on living well and London style essentials.
What’s Your Sign? Aries
We’re in the fire sign of Aries (March 20th — April 20th), but what does that mean for you? Astrology expert Susie Cox reveals all…
Eric Wilson On: My Most Memorable Spring Break
“I went to Morocco in college with a group of friends — it was particularly fun because we all had food poisoning on the entire trip. But we had a fantastic time as well. And we lost some weight.” — Eric Wilson, InStyle Fashion News Director
Look We Love: Florals & Blush
The prettiest shade of blush and a flash of metallic. Perfectly polished florals and streamlined Sixties-style silhouettes. We’re coming up rosy — and we can’t get enough.
Spring 2014: Exclusive Wallpaper
Florals and spring go together like Tory and tunics — they’re constant companions. Our abstract interpretation for the season, the block-print floral vine, now comes in this exclusive wallpaper. So carry a little reminder with you — that spring is finally, officially here — wherever you go. Download it here.
Tory On: Spring Bags
Do you prefer the classic look? Or something more ladylike? Or is sporty more your game? Here, carrying the new Robinson square satchel and wearing our Alexandria top, skinny jeans in white and a custom Tory jacket, Tory talks to us about the new bags for the season.
Expert Guide: Mija Flatau’s Munich
As Tory celebrates our new store in Munich with an opening party today, we turn to one city native for the scoop on where to go and what to do. Here, wearing Tory’s Merrit top and Heidi pant, the very chic Art Director and blogger Mija Flatau shares all.
Word of Mouth: Munich’s The Charles
Sir Rocco Forte is famous for many things, among them his glamorous globetrotting lifestyle and his ability to compete in Ironman competitions well past the age of most of his fellow competitors. Most importantly, however, he’s renowned for his Midas touch with hotels — if you’ve ever spent a night at Brown’s in London or the Russie in Rome, you know why. So if you’re headed to Munich — where we recently opened a boutique — check out The Charles, an Art Deco beauty right by the city’s famed Old Botanical Gardens. It’s the perfect mix of old-world Bavarian charm and modern European sensibility… with a simply spectacular indoor pool (above).
Tory’s City Guide: Munich
Three hundred miles inland from the German coast, Munich boasts Bavarian delicacies, three century-old fine porcelain… and a thriving surf scene. For more than four decades, surf enthusiasts have been flocking to the Eisbach River at the city’s center to catch waves right under a six-lane highway. What other surprises can you find in this landlocked city, where we’ve just opened a new store? Find out in our travel guide, packed full of must-see, must-visit and must-eat spots.
Go to Tory’s Munich City Guide here.
Book of the Week: Arianna Huffington’s Thrive
Wealth, status, power: Arianna Huffington had it all when, in 2007, she collapsed. As she made the rounds to doctors, imagining the worst, it became clear that this physical breakdown was not caused by illness but exhaustion. So, Huffington, a media titan at the helm of a self-made news empire, came to ask herself: At what cost are we sacrificing all else in our lives, from health and personal happiness to relationships and spiritual fulfillment, in order to achieve success? In effect, what is a truly good life?
She explores the answer in her new book, Thrive. By understanding the true value of family, friendship, kindness and giving back, she says we will gain a new perspective on what success looks like and, hopefully, enjoy the road of life a little more. It’s a simple truth that all children seem to innately understand — that it’s not just okay, but necessary, to stop and smell the roses.
Jane Herman Bishop & Florence Kane On: Denim Style
When it comes to wardrobe staples, no single garment tells a story quite like a pair of jeans. It’s the sartorial madeleine, quick to evoke an unforgettable summer, a childhood memory, a first date or first kiss. And that’s precisely the idea behind the addictive Jean Stories, an online destination that celebrates all things denim. It’s a handy guide of tips and news, yes, but Founders Jane Herman Bishop and Florence Kane — both veteran fashion writers — also take you behind the scenes and down (denim) memory lane with insiders like jewelry designer Eddie Borgo and Style.com’s Nicole Phelps. Here, they talk jean tips for spring and share a fashion memory of their own.
First slide: Jane, left, and Florence, wearing Tory’s straight-leg jean
Video: A Touch of Class
The crisp button-down, the smart trench coat, the tailored little black dress, the chic loafer — they’re wardrobe staples that never go out of style. Now, add another item to that list: the backpack. The carry-all silhouette is back — both on the runways and off — with a sporty touch of tomboy appeal. Here, channeling schoolgirl charm, models Tilda Lindstam, Kremi Otashliyska and Manon Leloup show how it works seamlessly into any closet. Class dismissed.
Entrepreneurs: ZAOZAO’s Ling Cai & Vicky Wu
Ling Cai, left, and Vicky Wu, wearing Tory’s Trixy dress, are the brains behind ZAOZAO, an online platform that allows you to discover and shop emerging designers coming out of Asia. We talk to the entrepreneurs about the project — plus, they share some business advice for those looking to enter that Far East market.
Recipe: Lesley M. M. Blume’s The Robinson Crusoe
For some of us, it’s spring break. For others, we’re simply dreaming of those warm-weather beach days. But wherever you might find yourself, here’s a cocktail to get you in the perfect sun-kissed, sand-in-my-toes mood: The Robinson Crusoe from Lesley M. M. Blume’s Let’s Bring Back: The Cocktail Edition book. “In this era of over-communication, over-connectedness and over-sharing, who on earth doesn’t occasionally want to get shipwrecked on an uncharted, un-peopled island?” the journalist and author writes, offering her own way “to simulate the castaway experience without the inconvenience.” Just grab the nearest coconut shell and serve. And for more on Lesley’s thoughts on beach life, keep reading.
Oyster Founders On: Travel Reads & The Literary Life
Picture it: You’re on a beach, lying in the sun, with a good book in your hand. Except instead of a book, you’re reading on a mobile device. And instead of having to download (and buy) each book separately, you have an entire library at your disposal — for a flat $9.96 a month, Netflix-style. That’s the idea behind the e-reading startup, Oyster. We talked to Founders Willem Van Lancker, left, and Eric Stromberg about the business and, of course, the best books to bring with you on that vacation escape…
Book of the Week: Surf Club
From its opening on New Year’s Eve in 1930, the Surf Club was a playground for both Hollywood and British royalty. Frank Sinatra honeymooned there with Ava Gardner. Elizabeth Taylor visited with her first fiancé. The Duke and Duchess of Windsor made it a vacation spot while Winston Churchill spent so much time there, he had two oceanfront cabanas: one for afternoon naps and one for painting seascapes. On the eve of a redesign by architect Richard Meier, the Miami institution gets it due in Assouline’s The Surf Club, which chronicles its high times and seaside glamour.
Look We Love: American Idle
Feel the pull of the pool. The call of a sporty bikini. The appeal of a louche tunic — and a lazy game of cards. Go ahead, dip your toes right in…
Swim Guide: The Suits
Sporty or glam? Coverage vs. skin baring? So many factors play into the perfect swimsuit. Based on fittings and fine-tunings, we’ve created a collection that delivers an impeccable fit for every shape and style — and every leisure moment under the sun.
Shop the Beach Getaway Collection and discover your perfect silhouette here.
Swim Guide: The Fabric
When it comes to bathing suits, flattery is everything. Our latest collection truly perfects the ensemble de plage, thanks to our wonder-working swim fabric — made by Eurojersey, a world-renowned source for innovative knits. Our high-performance suits do it all: look great, feel great. The show-pony meets the workhorse.
Shop the Beach Getaway Collection and learn about our high-performance fabric here.
Swim Guide: The Cover-Ups
One swimwear truism not to be ignored: The cover-up is just as important as the suit. Take the tunic — it’s incredibly chic in an undone, bohemian sort of way. Or the jumpsuit — the most stylish form of sun protection there is. Plus, it looks equally good off the beach as on. Just add sandals.
Shop the Beach Getaway Collection and get our style tips here.