Best Dressed: Hannah Bronfman
Social entrepreneur Hannah Bronfman wears her clothes with confidence. Here, the founder of the eco-friendly record label Green Owl talks about music, her inner foodie and secrets to great style.
Most stylish summer music fest… It’s hard to be stylish at a summer music festival because it’s so hot but SummerStage [in Central Park] really brings out an eclectic crowd of New Yorkers.
What makes a great playlist? You’ve gotta have some variety – a little bit of Top 40, some classic, classic rock and a few indie dance songs.
Expert Guide: Hillary Thomas
Hillary Thomas, the co-founder and partner of her eponymous design firm, gives us her tips and tricks for making a home chic and summery.
A chic home is… Bright, happy, colorful and has a touch of humor.
The color I am feeling for summer is… Green — all shades!
The easiest way to make a room feel fresh is… A bright throw pillow, a new lampshade and a fun finial.
Spotlight On: Summer Games
Happy July 4th! On our to-do list: sparklers, watermelon, sunglasses and backgammon. We asked known game-players Jill Kargman, Jill Demling, Suzanne Todd, Eric Buterbaugh and Lulu deKwiatkowski for some more ideas.
“First Line Of A Dirty Novel. Each person writes down a sentence and Jamie Lee Curtis (who we play with) writes the real opening line. She reads them all out loud and then we vote on which one we think is the real first line. Serve with wine for maximum effect.” — Jill Kargman, author
Tory’s Playlist: 4th of July
Ease into summer with this playlist for Old Glory — perfect for backyard barbecues, beach clam bakes and rooftop parties. To celebrate, we’re launching our Spotify page, so you can stream Tory’s playlists every week.
Video: Pre-Fall 2012
Kisses’ highly addictive song Bermuda sets the vibe for our behind-the-scenes Pre-Fall 2012 video. Models Anna Selezneva and Lydia Carron, styled by Brian Molloy, are the perfect scene-stealers in streamlined silhouettes with just the right amount of sexiness.
For style tips, see our Lookbook.
Book of the Week: Swimming Studies
Leanne Shapton, one of our favorite artists, competed in two Olympic swimming trials. Her new book Swimming Studies dives into her personal journey with the sport, from being a competitive teenager to an adult who loves the simple act of swimming. We asked her more…
Swimming and painting are similar… because they both require striking a balance between physical skill and trust.
When I swim I feel… balanced.
My first memory of being underwater is… realizing that my brother was joking when he told me I was one of the humans who could inhale water.
My favorite spot to swim is… Stadtbad Mitte, Berlin.
Place I dream of taking a dip is… Alvaro Siza’s Leça De Palmeira swimming pool near Porto, Portugal.
Favorite painting of a pool is… Leon Kossoff’s Children’s Swimming Pool, Autumn Afternoon, 1971. You can practically smell the chlorine, hear the bellyflops and feel the lurking verruca.
10 Minutes with an Entrepreneur: Oliver Walsh
London-based Oliver Walsh is the man behind Discoveredd, a new social site that’s all about what inspires people. In his other day job — CEO at Wednesday, a digital creative company — he helps brands create web sites that are beautiful and user-friendly. (He and his team worked on our own Tory Blog.) Oliver is also happy to give advice to young entrepreneurs. Read what he has to say about starting up and sustaining a business.
When starting a company you must… Make sure that you surround yourself with the best people you can…ideally much smarter than you!
The best business advice I’ve received is… Never get comfortable.
I love what I do because… The power of creativity surprises me every day.
Most Wanted: Vivian T-Strap
Understated sexiness makes a powerful statement. Case in point: Our Vivian Pump. A snake print in natural, earthy shades works like a neutral, while adding a little texture and exotic edge — plus, it’s a truly wearable color year-round. A sky-high heel elongates your silhouette, creating the look of legs that go on for miles. We designed a few variations on the strappy snake theme, so you can pick your poison: Shop Snake Heels.
Best Dressed: Filippa Lagerbäck
That’s Italy’s host Filippa Lagerbäck looks great in blue (and pretty much anything else). The Swedish-born model-turned-tv personality talks about style.
In Memoriam: Nora Ephron
A tribute to the beloved writer, filmmaker and mother. Through her books, movies and plays, Nora Ephron mastered the art of making people laugh through their tears. She delivered the gods-honest truth about love, marriage, divorce, aging (and even cooking) with humor. We each have our own Ephron favorite — Heartburn, When Harry Met Sally, I Feel Bad About My Neck, Scribble Sribble, Love, Loss and What I Wore, I Remember Nothing…. Thank you, Nora. You are a giant.
Tory Entertains: The Crown
What could be better than a lazy summer lunch at New York restaurant The Crown, followed by an afternoon of Upper East Side gallery hopping? Chef-owner John DeLucie gives us recipes for their niçoise salad and chocolate soufflé, and resident sommelier Jordan Salcito recommends the perfect wine to pair with each. Tonight, John Delucie — chief proprietor of The Crown and The Lion — will be a guest mentor at our Tory Burch Foundation entrepreneur event in New York City.
City Guide: NYC’s NoMad Hotel
New York’s newest boutique hotel, the NoMad is the perfect mix of old-school architecture (Beaux Arts), cool interiors (modern French) and pure luxury (a grass-lined terrace in New York City!). Book an Atelier or Suite room — the blue details provide a calming haven from the bustle of the city. For more on the NoMad and all the other places to sleep, eat and see in the city, check out our New York City Guide.
To Do: Turner, Monet & Twombly at the Tate
When titans met (sort of). In its upcoming Turner Monet Twombly: Later Painting, the Tate Liverpool is bringing together masters JMW Turner, Claude Monet and Cy Twombly. All three were fascinated by landscapes but translated them so differently. While London is gearing up for the upcoming Olympics, this is the perfect chance to stop and appreciate […]
Book of the Week: Beautiful Ruins
Must-read is an understated review of Jess Walter’s latest novel Beautiful Ruins. In a story that goes from a sun-kissed 1960s coastal town in Italy to present-day Hollywood (with a timeline jump to WWII), Walter’s signature wit is in peak form. As sprawling as the various narratives and characters — including Richard Burton circa Cleopatra — are, it makes for a beautiful read.
Day in the Life: Christy Turlington Burns
Christy Turlington Burns recently hosted her very first Every Mother Counts Power Lunch. EMC, which the supermodel-turned-filmmaker founded in 2010, champions better maternal health and advocacy here and internationally. Between the Power Lunch at Michael’s, tv stops at CNN and Today, and her daughter Grace’s gymnastics meet, it was just a typical day in the life.
What’s Your Sign? Cancer
Astrology expert Susie Cox tells us what to expect this month now that we are in the sun sign of Cancer (June 20 – July 22).
Tory’s Playlist: Into the Blue
It’s kind of amazing all the ways color can inspire. Since it’s our favorite fashion color, we couldn’t pass up the chance to show our true blue roots. It seems the likes of Buddy Holly, Lana Del Ray, Elvis Costello and — of course — Miles Davis agreed.
Spotlight On: The Campbells
Husband-and-wife team Thomas and Tiffany Campbell are known for creating surf films that inspire even the most committed land-lovers. And they pay as much detail to layering in the perfect songs as they do finding the perfect wave. Thomas explores surf and skate culture, while Tiffany has focused on wave-riding women in Dear & Yonder. They shared some of their favorite images, songs and surf spots.
Pre-Fall 2012: Lookbook & Style Tips
To shoot our Pre-Fall Lookbook, we hit the streets of NYC with a line-up of ultra-wearable looks. What exactly does “pre-fall” mean? It’s those season-spanning styles that transition from summer’s hot weather to cooler temps. Shot by Lachlan Bailey, styled by Brian Molloy and worn by models Anna Selezneva and Lydia Carron, it’s full of great basics, easy to wear prints and lots of navy… the fundamentals of a modern wardrobe. Click through for a closer look at the collection and style tips: See the Lookbook.
Amanda Brooks On: Summer 2012
The I Love Your Style author’s summer is packed with bright colors, bohemian florals, cool music and getting ready for a move to the English countryside.
Spotlight On: Perry Guillot
Perry Guillot takes a less-is-more approach to landscape and architecture that always results in seriously beautiful gardens and spaces. His minimalist designs can be seen up and down the Northeastern coast and in the pages of W magazine, the New York Times and Architectural Digest. Here, some of Perry’s favorites.
Summer Getaway: Lauren Santo Domingo
We’re thrilled to announce our partnership with Moda Operandi — as of today, our Resort 2013 collection is available for pre-order through June 26. In the spirit of resort (and summer), Lauren Santo Domingo, Moda Operandi’s Creative Director and co-founder, shares her upcoming vacation musts.
Tory On: The Blues
Welcome to the new Tory Blog, we’re relaunching on a blue note. This week we are featuring all forms of blue — from sculptures to surfers to summer table settings to street style. Here, Tory’s take on why she loves this forever-classic color.
Book of the Week: Snowdon Blue
Just add blue (a beautifully basic blue button-down, that is). That is legendary photographer Lord Snowdon’s secret to making a great portrait of one of his famed subjects — David Bowie, Serge Gainsbourg and countless others — even greater. These portraits are collected in Snowdon Blue, a book his daughter Frances von Hofmannsthal penned in collaboration with Swedish denim label Acne, which has created a limited edition collection of just these kinds of shirts.