Three Great Women Founders Talk Shop
If you come to our trunk show this Friday, you can meet these inspirational women in person.
In honor of the trunk show that is happening this Friday, I decided to ask the three women who are joining me to share a bit about their brands, what inspires them, etc. Plus, if this newsletter was all-me, all-the-time, you would die of boredom (myself included). Whether you can make the event or not (invite at end), I hope you enjoy getting to know these women!
MICHELLE BOOR of MICKY PARIS
I am always on the hunt for pieces that feel truly special. If it’s custom, even better. Michelle Boor, an American living in Paris (sigh), makes made-to-measure shirts (in partnership with tailor Daniel Levy) that make me giddy–the attention to detail, the weight of the fabric, the stitching, that you can get your initials embroidered anywhere you choose, are sublime. Like all the women featured here (and myself), Michelle believes in fewer, better things and creating lasting designs that are tailored (literally in this case) to the client. If you can’t make the trunk show, you can book a virtual appointment with Michelle.
What was the inspiration to create Micky Paris? Inspired by my many vacations in the Mediterranean, and by certain iconic places, Menorca, St. Tropez, La Fontinella in Capri. I wanted to create a shirt for me, with the allure of a men’s shirt, but for a woman, emphasizing the fit, the design, and to be seasonless and timeless. I wanted to create the perfect mix of European sophistication and American ease!
What makes a Micky Paris made-to-measure shirt different from the rest ? The experience, the fabric and quality (the superior quality of men’s shirting fabric, the manufacturing, mother of pearl buttons, 1mm stitching, 3mm hems.)
The private RDV (rendez vous) where I get to know my clients, measure them, and recommend styles, colors and details that will suit them. Together we create the Micky style for them! The quality surpasses most pret-a-porter even luxury brands, a shirt can last up to and over 10 years if well taken care of.
Three words that describe Micky Paris: Timeless, Liberté, Simplicité.
Three words that describe you: Tenacious, Curious, Creative.
Something that sparked your creativity lately: The Rothko exhibit in Paris at the Foundation Louis V, a grand retrospective of his works from the beginning of his career to the end; I have never seen such a broad range, the color usage blew my mind. And the YSL Museum Exhibit "Transparence, Les Pouvoirs des Matières", realizing the architectural brilliance in his work, and his genius ability to sketch and bring such bold modern pieces alive!
One thing French women get right when it comes to style: Less rules when it comes to aging—they keep their hair long and still wear heels, and their ability to look put together and have a je ne sais pas attitude.
One thing American women get right: Their ability to mix up casual key pieces with chic, their element of "cool".
A couple of secret addresses in Paris: Not so secret but not very talked about Maison Gainsbourg, the Verlet Cafe and Tea Room, Chez Réne (Blvd st Germain) and Muscade restaurant in the Palais Royal.
A weekend in Spring means: A glass of Munity Rose sitting in an outdoor cafe! The smell of lavender and rosemary growing wildly near to Mediterranean.
Fave JA piece: The XL Mariner bracelet in sterling silver. It’s chic, it goes with everything—all my Micky shirts, and it’s discrete. I don’t wear a lot of jewelry; I don’t even have my ears pierced. The bracelet reminds me of something Jackie O would have worn. It’s quiet luxury and a great piece to start with, because I am planning on collecting many !!!!
TINA BHOJWANI of AERA
Fashion companies that put sustainability front-and-center to their brand ethos are few and far between, mostly I believe because it’s just so hard—you need the gumption, curiosity and a healthy dose of stubbornness to stay the course. Tina, a veteran fashion executive has those qualities in spades and AERA, her line of vegan, B Corp certified shoes are now showing up everywhere from Neimans to Saks. Plus, like all the women here, her generosity is infectious. And you at least need one pair of her Jackie slingbacks in your life.
What was the inspiration to create AERA? To create positive impact by combining my passion (for fashion) with purpose... with the hope being to show that luxury style design and quality can go hand-in-hand with social and environmental sustainability.
What makes AERA different from the other luxury shoe brands? We are ethically sourced, transparent, entirely vegan, and have a signature exposed quilted insole. We are carbon neutral and B Corp certified.
Three words that describe AERA: Innovative, modern and elegant.
Three words that describe you: Curious, passionate, optimistic.
Something that sparked your creativity lately: I am constantly researching next generation sustainable materials and it is exciting to see the innovation taking place... Lately, through our material research, I am into the idea of sporty or casual materials for more formal shoes - like a nylon ballerina (coming soon) or loafer or a stitched denim high heeled sandal (just launched).
There is a modernity to this that comes from this which feels refreshing.
One way living in NYC influences you and your work: In addition to great style, both versatility and comfort are essential here in NY. NY life is very much on-the-go and AERA shoes are created to take a women through many moments of her day through to the evening with a sense of ease.
One way spending a lot of time in Milan influences you and your work: I greatly admire the fashion sensibility in Milan and always inspired by people watching when there. Milanese people tend to dress up a bit more and there is an old world refinement and formality which I appreciate.
Fave JA design: A favorite is the Baby Mariner Link Necklace—I love the delicate chain link design; it is an elegant, timeless and versatile everyday piece. I am dreaming of having an anklet version in the near future!
Five favorite NYC haunts: Sant Ambroeus (in NYC & Milan), Polo Bar, Bond Street, Bemelmans Bar, ABC V.
A weekend in Spring means: Longer days, afternoon strolls when in the city to admire the blooms especially cherry blossoms, tulips and magnolias.
TESS ALBRECHT-SCMITZ of POETICA
Tess is obsessed with turning everyday routines–bathing, washing your hands and taking care of your clothes, into a fragrant botanical ritual. Her hand wash, lotion and body oils are heavenly-scented, and her mist and delicate wash products turn putting on your favorite piece of lingerie or cashmere tee into a sensual experience. One thing I am not good at is elevating my rituals, with Tess’s products I’ve managed to make my everyday routines more thoughtful and elegant. Since I met Tess almost two years ago, she has expanded and is now on Goop, Moda Operandi and By Malene Birger. She has impeccable taste and if you can make the trunk show this Friday at her home in Chelsea, you will see what I mean.
What was the inspiration to create Poetica? At Poetica, we design fragrant botanical products with scents inspired by the natural world and a mindful use of resources.
It’s a creative venture that brings together my reverence for nature and my interest in sustainability – born out of my career in impact investing and masters degree in sustainable supply chains.
What makes a Poetica different from the other ritual based body and garment care products? We believe that ritual begins at creation, so we have a special focus on ingredient provenance and circular design.
We work with botanicals that are grown using organic, wild harvested and fair trade methods. By using approaches that give back to the land, rather than simply taking from it, we create a virtuous circle that supports the environment and the communities who rely on its bounty. This is particularly important in an era of climate change with threats to habitat, biodiversity, and rural livelihoods.
For example, the jasmine in our Grandiflor scent is hand picked by local women along the banks of Egypt’s Nile Delta. Jasmine is the highest value crop in Egypt and is untaxed, making it an important revenue source for more than 5,000 women and their families (~ 30,000 people including dependent family members and businesses). We partner with a family-run distiller who uses low-impact irrigation methods and supports the flower pickers through newly constructed childcare centers, health clinics, dental clinics and clean water systems. The processing of jasmine into the fragrant oil also takes place at a farm or district level, further supporting local economic development outcomes.
Happily, healthy plants also yield superior scents, so I think the quality and freshness of our product scents is unparalleled.
Three words that describe Poetica: Playful yet deep.
Three words that describe you: See above!
Something that sparked your creativity lately: Spring blossoms.
One way living in NYC influences you and your work: A special kind of comfort. There’s someone interesting around every corner and you’re never alone.
One way being Australian influences you and your work: My feet are on the ground.
Fave JA jewelry design: I have the Petit Diamond Pyramid engraved with my husband and son’s names. I love its simplicity and rarity. So does my six-month-old son, who I have to hide it from!
Your 3 favorite NYC haunts: Il Buco for dinner, Arabica in Soho for strong coffee, One White Street in Tribeca for a wine.
A weekend in Spring means: A trip to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. A trip to my local florist. A home full of flowers.
Hope to see you Friday….Invite below (again) ICYMI.
xx J
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