Interview with Cecilia – Part One

Today’s interview is with my beautiful friend Cecilia, who has some of the most drop dead impeccable taste ever. I love her style because it is luxurious but very wearable – I could imagine all these pieces in my closet, and they’d be items that I’d love and actually wear all the time.

What I like most about Cecilia is that while she has an envy inducing shopping budget, she is is still incredibly thoughtful and selective about all of her items. She has an incredibly fabulous collection of clothes and accessories, and it’s clear how each and every one is a part of her unique style. Enjoy part one of Cecilia’s interview!

Isabel Marant jewelry pieces from “The Exhibition” line

Who are you? Where do you live, and what do you do?

Hello there, my name is Cecilia.  I live – and grew up – in Hong Kong, one of the most vibrant cities in the world.  My day job is something I’ve been enjoying doing for years, but I probably shouldn’t bore your readers with the details…

Some Isabel Marant jackets

I know you have an amazing Isabel Marant collection. What got you started on collecting this designer?

I “discovered” Isabel Marant’s linen tees a few years back and since they were made in France and I had a soft spot for anything French, I fell in love right away. At the time I wasn’t so attracted to her more ethnic bohemian designs, for which she had been famous; it just wasn’t me at the time.  Then, one spring day in 2009, while looking for a gift for the teenage daughter of a Canadian friend in the chicest part of Causeway Bay, I went into the Isabel Marant flagship store and found a snake-print silk top with incredible craftsmanship.  Like they say, the rest is history.

Hermes 28cm Chevre HAC in Potiron

What other designers do you collect?

Hermès and Chanel.  I learned of Chanel when I was, like, eight, from reading romances.  Indeed I learned everything nice in life from the same author whom I’ve never stopped loving: Hermès crocodile Kellys, Chanel suits, Valentino gowns, Fendi furs, Krug champagne, Lalique crystal vases, Lily of the Valley, camellias, Paris, the Lake District, the Northern Lights, National Geographic, Le Petit Prince, Marserati, Range Rover and Hummer.  Oops, I’m going off topic!

Vermillion Plume and Chocolate Togo Birkin

Loewe special edition Amazona bag with Hillier cadena

Early on I decided that it was totally worth it to work very hard in order to own a few pieces of the legendary Hermès.  So far I’ve acquired: the Birkin, Haut à Courroies, Kelly, Bolide, Plume, and Garden Party. Sadly, I haven’t got a Kelly in crocodile yet…

Hermes scarves in “Sequences” and “Nuba Mountain”

I also collect Hermès silks.  The cashmere-silk GM shawls and the silk jersey fluid scarves are my favorites, but I’ve actually got more 90cm silk twill scarves because they are the easiest to come by and do less damage to my wallet.  My favorite designs are Brides de Gala, Ex Libris, La Femme aux Semelles de Vent, Peuple du Vent, and Bolduc au Carré, just to name a few. Currently I’m trying to locate an unused Hermès pour Vacheron Constantin scarf – please let me know if you ever spot one!

What about Chanel?

Chanel and I have started a love-hate relationship in the course of the last few years.  I can’t believe they would raise the price of the classic bags by 30% within a 12-month period.  And don’t get me started on the jackets.  Gosh, some of the nicer ones now start in the USD$ 10,000 range; which isn’t even including those jackets that have fabric with the more intricate Lesage embroidery or other couture techniques.  That said, I envision that I’ll continue investing in Chanel’s (1) tweed jackets, (2) 2.55 bags, and (3) classic flap bags.  Honestly, I am just being realistic.  Come on, who can quit Chanel?

Isabel Marant “July” jackets

What designers do you personally find overpriced? 

Balmain.  Granted, the designs are exquisite.  But $6,600 for a denim jacket?  $1,525 for a cotton tee shirt full of holes and slashes?  You’ve got to be kidding me.

Can you share some of your amazing Isabel Marant collection?? What are some of your favorite items? 

The aforesaid snake-print silk top.  The jackets named July (including the original, and the Net-a-Porter-exclusive one), Flana, and Hola.  And all the furs and shearlings, like, Zied, Xacala, Xanuco, and the newest Leon and Maeva.

What are some of the items you wear the most? Can you share some of your typical day looks?

At work, I’m a typically an all-black person.  The typical day looks are a Chanel jacket, paired with a black dress, or a black top and a black skirt, and finished with a pair of nude Louboutins or Manolos.  I’m 90% predictable; when I’m not, it’d be the days when I put on my Marant July’s and printed dresses, or pink Chanel jackets or skirts!

On the weekends, I usually wear more colors on top.  My black skirts are replaced with 7 for All Mankind and Joe’s jeans.

Hermes scarves in Brides de Gala (Colette edition) and La Rosee

How about a typical night look for you?

Oh, this is a hard one, because, I literally don’t go out!  No, seriously.  My hubby is a 100% family man, and there’s absolutely nothing more enjoyable than spending time with the kids at home.  Every night.