My Style: Doris Raymond
Photo: Susan Anderson — Courtesy of Doris Raymond
What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?
I am a collector first and I would have to say my Paul Poiret opera coat, my Sonia Delaunay cloche and scarf, my lifetime Dior and Chanel items are pieces I treasure as works of art but for wearable items, I love my 1920’s French lamé dresses and coats, my 1980’s Japanese pieces and my lifetime William Spratling jewellery.
Please describe your style in three words.
Easy, classic, bohemian.
What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?
Dressing to please someone else or following trends that don’t suit your personality or style.
Do you believe in role models?
Well, I try to be one so I hope so!
What are your favourite fabrics?
I would say ikats always impress me and luxe fabrics like velour au sabre. I took weaving classes about a decade ago, so my affinity for textiles has been magnified. I also love the colours and fabrics that Bonnie Cashin used and Coach is bringing a lot of that back. Very exciting.
Are there any style combinations that you object to?
Any combination that seems forced. Anything that looks like it’s too contrived or worn just for shock value when it is not a true extension of a person’s personality. Fashion is a great form of non-verbal communication — so we should know what we are saying and why.
Which city has the best-dressed women?
Best dressed women tend to travel — and are not afraid to experiment to discover what resonates for them. Icons like Iris Apfel, Tina Chow, Millicent Rogers — all acquired treasures in their travels and beautifully integrated them in their wardrobe and made great statements. I can’t think of any particular city that stands out.
Would you say that you are conservative or bold?
I am conservatively bold.
What are the rules, if any, in the way you dress?
First rule of dressing: dress for yourself — always.
Celebrities and style...
Don’t necessarily go together, but when they do it can be a wonderful convergence.
One garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?
Jewellery. Jewellery. And jewellery.
A woman should always look like...
Herself.
Who taught you what you know about style?
A little bit of fashion history, a little bit of my mother and a little bit of my world travels.
How do you select your clothing every morning?
It totally depends on where I happen to be in the world and what I have planned for the day.
What is your biggest regret?
Not relocating to Los Angeles sooner. It’s been 8 years and I am having the time of my life.
The three essential things a woman should know about style are...
The essential things in life that help create your style include being healthy, happy, and kind. Take care of those things and you will look beautiful in anything you wear.
Do you have any shopping rituals?
I just do it every day to stay limber and at the top of my game. Shopping is a very competitive sport!
We will never see you wearing...
I would say Uggs, but you never know…
Which new designers do you follow and why?
I follow almost all of them. It’s important to stay ahead of the game in my business plus I love meeting and nurturing new talent. I am so blessed that my business is a portal for a lot of great designers.
Who is the most stylish person you have ever seen?
There are so many chic and stylish people out there but to me Daphne Guinness and Dita Von Teese never fail to take my breath away when I am in their presence.
What is the first thing you notice on a woman?
First I look into her eyes and then at her shoes!
The one image that defined your approach to style...
I love Diana Vreeland’s style, especially the images she created and styled for magazines and her vision when she worked at the Metropolitan Museum in NY. She absolutely had an impact on my eye and my style.
Which designer never fails to impress you?
Still, Alexander McQueen. Always Rodarte.
One article of clothing that a woman needs to pay close attention to is...
Her undergarments — Dior allegedly said “Without foundation there can be no fashion.”
Is comfort an enemy of style?
Not necessarily, but sometimes one must make sacrifices for a great shoe! I think being lazy is an enemy of style.
Who would you like to see next in My Style?
Dita Von Teese, Arianne Phillips, and Jeremy Scott.
The best words of advice you have ever heard?
“Follow your bliss.” — Joseph Campbell.
