Ending summer in Paris

(1st look) hat: Otte, top: Jennyfer, pants: Rebecca Taylor, shoes: Calvin Klein, bag: Rebecca Minkoff. (2nd look) hat: Otte, Jacket: Other Stories, top: Amour Vert, skirt: Rebecca Taylor, shoes: Calvin Klein, bracelet: CC Skye,

photography: Anne Laure

Spent the last days of summer in Paris with friends. Roaming around shopping and attending Rock En Seine music festival. Paris's last few days were temperamental, sun then rain then more rain. I'm a fairly light packer, making sure to bring just the staples. I shop so much when I'm home it wouldn't make sense to bring nothing but my current favorite pieces from New York.

I also had the honor to sit down and have a Q&A with the designer Rebecca Taylor who has always been a favorite of mine, we talked  leather, fall and David Bowie..

What were you most inspired by when designing the fall collection?

 -Architectural details from designers like Frank Lloyd Wright. I love listening to music when getting ready in the morning.

 Anything you had on repeat when designing this collection?

 -David Bowie – from every era, always! And some Debbie Harry.

 Do you have a favorite piece? 

I think our leather color blocked tee is really cool. I love how feminine all the leather pieces are. 

How did you keep everything from looking too rocker? 

With subtle touches...for example, we kept the leather pencil skirt in the collection from being too tough by offering it in some different colors, like the muted teal. And a beautiful coat we offered in a rose color with light grey leather sleeves.

 You're from New Zealand (my favorite place even though I've not yet visited) - Is there a touch of Kiwi in this collection us Americans wouldn't catch up on?

 I think my New Zealand roots influence all of my designs in some way. We have an attitude of “anything is possible” there that I carry with me and probably shows through in my collections.

 What is your first memory of leather? 

My dad’s awesome burgundy leather jacket…I loved it. I think we've all had a fashion faux pas. Mine was borrowing my mom's leather pants; they were boot leg and way too big me. 

 What is the staple item all girls should have in their closet? 

A great pair of shoes that can take you from day to night. Red pumps. Three words to describe this collection? Architectural, downtown, modern. 

What are your favorite travels destinations to draw inspiration?

 I recently went to London and Paris, which was amazing. But I draw a lot of my inspiration from right here in New York – the people, the museums, the music.

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