My Style: Jessica Minkoff
Portrait: Aaron Richter // Additional Photo: Mark Iantosca
Are there any style combinations that you object to?
Anything that doesn't speak to your own personal style. I am a pants girl, so when I try to wear a dress, I don't feel as confident in myself. I am an advocate for owning what you are wearing and feeling good in your clothes. I think the worst look is the one that makes you feel uncomfortable in your own skin.
Please describe your style in three words.
Relaxed, edgy, tomboy.
What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?
Not being true to one's self.
Do you believe in role models?
I think that looking outside of yourself for inspiration—whether at people, places, history, artwork, et cetera—is always a good thing, but it's important to take that inspiration and apply it in a way that is personal and unique to you.
What are your favourite fabrics?
Leather and denim.
Which city has the best-dressed women?
No city has the best-dressed women! But Paris, New York, and London have a lot of women with inspiring style!
Would you say that you are conservative or bold?
Bold when it comes to style, conservative when it comes to fit and colour.
What are the rules in the way you dress?
There aren't that many rules, except that I always prefer a pant over a dress or a skirt. I try not to wear head to toe black, because that is a cop-out, especially in New York. Also, it's important to pay attention to proportion—if something is oversized on top then it can't be oversized on the bottom, and vice versa.
Celebrities and style...
Is only worth commenting on when the celebrity dresses themselves. Otherwise—when it's a red carpet hit—it's the work of a really good stylist.
Name one garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?
Leather jackets and shoes!
A woman should always look like…
She is confident.
Who taught you what you know about style?
A combination of what I see on the street, in magazines, and on the runway.
How do you select your clothing every morning?
I start with my pants and then work from there.
What is your biggest regret?
Being upset in the moments when I wasn't so happy with the way I looked—there are more important things to worry about!
The three essential things a woman should know about style are...
You don't have to look like everyone else. Expensive things are sometimes worth the investment. Don't be afraid to experiment with your style.
Do you have any shopping rituals?
If you see something that you know you have to have, don't pass it up—just make sure there is a good return policy!
We will never see you wearing…
A body-con anything.
Which new designers do you follow and why?
Off-White by Virgil Abloh, Totem, Protagonist….wearable clothing with a street-style edge.
Who is the most stylish person you have ever seen?
Vanessa Traina.
What is the first thing you notice on a woman?
Her shoes.
What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?
Definitely my jewellery—I have a nice collection of delicate rings and necklaces from Selin Kent, Vita Fede, Catbird, 40Karats, and Jennifer Zeuner that I wear every day and never get sick of.
Which designer never fails to impress you?
Nicolas Ghesquière is a visionary and Jack and Lazaro from Proenza Schouler consistently design things that I want to wear day in and day out.
One article of clothing that a woman needs to pay close attention to is...
I think women should pay close attention to the FIT of all articles of clothing!
Is comfort an enemy of style?
Definitely not. You can be comfortable and extremely stylish—there were sneakers on the runways at Chanel Haute Couture!
Who would you like to recommend for My Style?
Vanessa Traina, Elin Kling, Caroline Brasch Nielsen, Hanne Gaby Odiele, and Lindsey Frugier.
The best words of advice you have ever heard?
Don't be afraid to walk to your own beat.
