Just One Thing: The Jeweled T-Shirt
Everyone has a favorite t-shirt — ours just happens to be cut from silk. Tory’s Vesper top has the relaxed feel of a tee, with a little something extra. Thanks to its jeweled embellishment, this classic silhouette transforms any look as easy as it goes on. Black or pink — your choice; simply team with little black pants, a skirt or jeans.
Boo! Happy Halloween!
A few reasons I love Halloween…. 1. It’s my night out with my boys. This picture was taken a few years ago as we were heading out for trick-or-treating. 2. It’s my brother Robert’s birthday, and when we were growing up in Valley Forge, my mother made this a big, big holiday. The décor was magical, from the ghouls and ghosts dining on the patio to the hundreds of pumpkins all over the place. 3. The Swedish Fish. I have a sweet tooth. Happy Halloween. xxTory
Book of the Week: Craig McDean’s Amber, Guinevere, and Kate
Three modeling icons, one sharp-eyed photographer. In Amber, Guinevere, and Kate, image-maker Craig McDean zooms in on that unforgettable Nineties trio: Amber Valletta, Guinevere van Seenus and Kate Moss. Shot on film from 1993 through 2005, the chameleonic muses appear in all guises and forms, spanning over 150 color and black-and-white photos — some never before published.
Spotlight On: Photographer François Halard
As the son of French decorators, François Halard’s affinity for gorgeous interiors was probably inevitable. Whatever the initial spark, though, the photographer just has a knack for capturing a home in its most breathtaking light — equal parts intimate, grand, engaging and elegant. With his new book out — in which he peeks into the mesmerizing living quarters of Jean Cocteau, David Hockney, Cy Twombly, Yves Saint Laurent and others — we spoke to the famed lensman about his career here.
Did You Know? The Hours
Inspired by the medieval book of the hours, All the Time in the World by Jessica Kerwin Jenkins reveals all the cultural and historical curiosities about the various hours of the day. Here’s a look at a few fun facts from the morning hours — something to think about the next time you kick off the day rushing, with breakfast in one hand and your phone in the other.
Insider’s Guide: Anja Rubik & Sasha Knezevic’s Vienna
We continue our look at great fall getaways with a stop in Vienna — just in time to celebrate Austrian National Day today. And who better to guide us than Anja Rubik and Sasha Knezevic, who have impossibly romantic ties to that scenic city? They became engaged there over the holidays three years ago. Here, the models and publishers of 25 Magazine share their favorite Vienna haunts.
Fall Getaway: Cristina Cuomo’s Hamptons
If you’re in the mood for a fall escape, you might assume it’s time to pack up the car and head deep into the hills of Vermont or Massachusetts. But don’t discount the Hamptons. Here, wearing Tory’s Lillian top, Debra skirt and Milan booties, Editor-in-Chief of Manhattan and Beach magazines Cristina Cuomo tells us what makes this summer getaway favorite the perfect place to get into the autumnal spirit.
Word of Mouth: An Adirondack Getaway
What’s it like to live like a Rockefeller during the Gilded Age? You could pull out your nearest history book or…you could visit The Point, a 75-acre estate tucked in the Adirondack wilderness. Built by William Avery Rockefeller, Jr., the resort once served as the family’s private retreat and was one of the legendary Great Camps of the era. (The Carnegies and Vanderbilts had their own palatial “camps,” too.) Today, you can unwind to that life of leisure while exploring the Great Outdoors — wakeboarding, skiing, snow barbeques — and indulging in 21st-century diversions like on-call massage therapists and a Grand Marnier soufflé.
Fall Getaway: Sarah Sherman Samuel’s Lake Michigan
When L.A.-based Sarah Sherman Samuel of design blog Smitten Studio needs a fall escape only one place will do: a cozy cabin hideaway in her home state, Michigan. Here, Sarah — who also has her own line of picnic baskets, tea towels and serving boards — shares her life at that lakeside respite.
Look We Love: The New Black Tie
Understatedly sexy — we love a dress that leaves something to the imagination and is truly easy to wear. These two frolicking party-goers are actually wearing the exact same gown, styled different ways. The dramatic and sweeping Meg dress, worn solo, shows off a feminine and subtly sensual deep-v back. For a more relaxed — and less revealing — look, we layered it with our Vesper top (a refined take on a jeweled t-shirt). Either way, it completely dispels the notion of uncomfortable formalwear. If you can run in it, you can certainly dance in it.
Artist Elsa Hansen On: The Art of Needlepoint
As you can tell from our new home collection, we love needlepoint. So we couldn’t pass up the chance to chat with artist Elsa Hansen, who’s famous for her cross-stitched takes on historical and pop-culture heavyweights, like Albert Einstein and Bob Dylan. Fresh off a show at Simon Dickinson’s London gallery during the Frieze fair, she talks to us about the craft’s history and gives us a few tips, too. And to see her witty creations, click through the slideshow above.
Insider’s Guide: Oliver Walsh’s Vancouver
Vancouver — the Hollywood of the North, land of the Canucks and… home to the latest Tory Burch store. To get an insider’s view of the city, we talked to British expat Oliver Walsh, formerly of digital creative agency Wednesday, who’s now Chief Marketing Officer for Vancouver-based retailer Aritzia. Discover all his can’t-miss spots and why he loves them.
Book of the Week: Stephen Sills Decoration
What is it about New York greenery? We can’t get enough — from Long Island’s Old Westbury Gardens (seen in our Holiday 2013 lookbook) to the above parterre at the Bedford home of storied interior designer Stephen Sills. The latter is just one of the many beautiful locales in Sills’ new eponymous tome Stephen Sills: Decoration. Featured alongside his own aforementioned 22-acre estate — which Karl Lagerfeld has called “the chicest house in America” — there are 15 other homes, all captured by François Halard to breathtaking effect. From Fifth Avenue to Aspen, each plays on variations of Sills’ signature muted palette and refined mix of antique and modern.
Tory On: The Home Collection
Tory chats with us about her new home collection (click slideshow to view). Learn all about her favorites, the inspirations and a certain needlepoint-loving family member.
10 Minutes with an Entrepreneur: Producer Todd Traina
Art film elegance and fraught emotion combine for quite a good Morning. From producer Todd Traina, the movie follows the divergent paths of a husband and wife — played by real-life couple Jeanne Tripplehorn and Leland Orser — immediately after the unexpected death of their only child. On the occasion of its DVD release, Todd takes some time out to chat about the film and his career.
What’s Your Sign? Scorpio
What can you expect now that we’re nearing the water sign of Scorpio (October 22nd – November 21st)? Here, astrology expert Susie Cox reveals all.
Tastemaker Roundtable: Five Chefs, One Talk
Today’s a big day at the New York City Wine & Food Festival. Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian is hosting a Greenmarket Brunch pairing New York chefs with their favorite greenmarket farmers. Landmarc’s Marc Murphy is holding another brunch featuring local eats, Taste of New York, with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo. Tonight, there’s a Global Night Market — expect plenty of lobster and crab rolls courtesy of Luke Holden. We rounded up the trio, plus veteran chef Jonthan Waxman, who’s participating in Geoffrey’s event, and festival first-timer chef Fatima Ali (who’s part of tomorrow’s Best Bloody Mary Brunch) for a roundtable talk on all things culinary.
Most Wanted: The Turtleneck
Tomboy yet feminine. Infinitely classic. The Christina turtleneck is a Tory personal favorite — and the style she wore in our beauty campaign. Made of super-soft cashmere and in one of Tory’s favorite hues — navy — it’s a staple for the season and one of fall’s notable trends, perfect for layering or equally chic on its own.
Best Dressed: Helena Bordon
Helena Bordon knows how to create serious buzz. The Brazilian blogger and co-founder of retail chain 284 played up the printed and gem-like scarabs of Tory’s Jasmine top and Violet skirt with similarly iridescent sunglasses and matching jewel-tone heels, while offering a cool point of contrast in the neon pop of her bag. Those styling skills must run in the family — her mother, Donata Meirelles, is style director for Vogue Brazil.
Spotlight On: Nasty Gal’s Sophia Amoruso
For a riveting rags-to-riches fashion fairy tale, look no further than Sophia Amoruso, Founder, CEO and Creative Director of Nasty Gal, who managed in less than seven years to take an eBay page filled with vintage finds and turn it into a booming online retailer with a well-curated mix of new and vintage fashion. Here, she tells us about her team, her inspiration and her best vintage find ever.
Word of Mouth: Old Westbury Gardens
A cinematic Long Island estate that has served as home to both Hitchcock villains (North by Northwest) and teenage naifs (Cruel Intentions), Old Westbury Gardens is also the setting for our Holiday 2013 lookbook. Originally commissioned by American financier John S. Phipps as a wedding present to his homesick British bride, the 44-room, Charles II-style house brims with English furnishings and is surrounded by 200 acres of formal gardens. It’s appeared in films as far-reaching as North by Northwest and Love Story, and inspired the grand Buchanan estate in Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby. But this house isn’t just a friend of the cinematic arts: a family-commissioned John Singer Sargent portrait hangs in its dining room.
Holiday 2013: Lookbook
The finale looks from our runway show have arrived, with perfect timing for the season ahead. Holiday 2013 can be summed up in two words: effortless chic. A palette of black and blush sets the stage for shine — with easy statement pieces for day to evening.
Tory On: Cocktail Dressing
Here wearing the Reese tunic and Elisabeth skirt, Tory discusses all things cocktail dressing, from her favorite styles and evening accessorizing to what makes a great holiday party.
Holiday 2013: Video
Soft blush and sharp black. The shimmer of embellishment. Hair blowing in the breeze. Filmmaker Robert Nethery captures effortless glamour in our Holiday 2013 video, as models Zuzanna Bijoch, Tilda Lindstam and Laura Kampman wander the verdant grounds of Long Island’s Old Westbury Gardens. Layered with the romantic haziness of Tamaryn’s track Love Fade, the mood is set: This season’s styles are easy enough to run through fields in… and chic enough for a night out.