My Style: Idil Tabanca
Photo: Courtesy of Idil Tabanca
Would you say that you are conservative or bold?
Bold. In New York there is only invisible and bold. Subtlety is overrated anyways.
Please describe your style in three words.
Print on print.
What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?
Wear the wrong underwear in a noticeable way.
Do you believe in role models?
Absolutely. "What would Grace Jones do?" is something I say quite often.
What are your favourite fabrics?
Silk and velvet.
Are there any style combinations that you object to?
Any combination that involves Capri pants and Crocs is unacceptable.
Which city has the best-dressed women?
Paris.
What are the rules, if any, in the way you dress?
Never wear anything you've seen on someone else more than once (internet doesn't count).
Celebrities and style...
Are like a scalpel and a patient; it's a mess unless there's a doctor involved.
Name one garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?
Headbands.
A woman should always look like...
Herself.
Who taught you what you know about style?
Every single person, object, and place I have ever encountered.
How do you select your clothing every morning?
The process has much to do with weather and mood.
What is your biggest regret?
No one has fashion regrets now that there is eBay. Anything you miss will come back on eBay from some bored rich person's closet straight to yours!
The three essential things a woman should know about style are...
Style is personal, scalable, and it can adapt to any budget. Whether it's good or bad, everyone has one.
Do you have any shopping rituals?
I don't like going shopping too often. I like going once a season and shopping for the whole season.
We will never see you wearing...
Crocs or Ed hardy t-shirts.
Which new designers do you follow and why?
Umit Benan. He's not that new but he's fairly new. I love men's fashion and I think he makes very interesting yet wearable pieces for men.
Who is the most stylish person you have ever seen?
Grace Jones.
What is the first thing you notice on a woman?
Her face.
What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?
A Sevan Bicakci ring, a vintage Chanel bracelet, a handmade real gold wedding dress from a small Russian town in 1800s that my mom's best friend's grandmother gave me.
The one image that defined your approach to style...
It is a collage of thousands; style is a reflection of your identity. Identity is the accumulation of thousands of powerful moments. Therefore there can never be one image to summarise my essence. As my essence alters with each day.
Which designer never fails to impress you?
Mary Katrantzou.
One article of clothing that a woman needs to pay close attention to is...
I think each detail requires equal attention. I don't discriminate between pieces.
Is comfort an enemy of style?
Yes! They need to make up already!
Who would you like to see next in My Style?
I would love to see younger faces. Kids are killing it nowadays. Maybe Tavi?
The best words of advice you have ever heard?
It's better to have safety pins and not need one than need safety pins and not have one (this can be applied to all fashion emergencies and same goes for Band-Aid in general).
