MY FASHIONABLE LIFE: TORY BURCH
The fashion designer, 54, on her most extravagant purchases and the pieces she’ll treasure forever
The designer on her stylish family, her most extravagant purchases and the pieces she’ll treasure forever
I WAS SUCH A TOMBOY, I DIDN’T WEAR A DRESS UNTIL PROM.
My mom was so into fashion, she got me a YSL dress with pink sequins, a black velvet trim and a big black tulle skirt. It was definitely a statement.
I TOOK RISKS WITH FASHION BUT,
looking at high school pictures, it hasn’t always worked out. I loved vintage and I’d remake things. I was made fun of because I was a bit preppy, a bit of an athlete. Friends labelled me a ‘prock’ – a preppy jock. I wore Grateful Dead T-shirts with Hermès scarves.
MY FATHER SHOULD HAVE BEEN A DESIGNER.
He made all of his clothing with tailors. He was known in Philadelphia for his style: he was the first of his friends to wear Gucci loafers in the 1950s and he had dinner jackets lined with scarves. He soldered charms on a gold Zippo lighter; we weren’t allowed to touch it. When he passed away, I made it into a pendant.
I WORKED AT BENETTON IN HIGH SCHOOL.
The only thing I did was fold sweaters. With my first paycheck, three friends and I bought tickets to see Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
TRAVEL HAS ALWAYS INSPIRED MY STYLE.
My university had a programme called ‘Semester At Sea’, where you travelled to 15 countries. We started in Spain and ended in Japan, via India, Taiwan, the Philippines, China and Russia. India was one of the most inspiring places. The embroidery and vibrancy struck me; it was an infusion of beauty and colour.
LEE RADZIWILL WAS THE MOST STYLISH WOMAN,
so intelligent, self-confident and assured. Lee [Jackie Kennedy’s younger sister] was the queen of the one-liner. A lot of true style has to do with confidence, the way you carry yourself and the way you feel about yourself.
I HAD TWO WEDDING DRESSES.
Both were by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, and they’re definitely the most expensive items I own. One is made from beautiful lace fabric, with a high neck, three-quarter-length sleeves and almost to the ground. The other is a little more extravagant, made from an ivory tulle with these beautiful flowers all over it. I knew I didn’t want to design my own wedding dresses and they are really special.
ONE THING I REALLY MISSED WITH COVID-19 WAS VINTAGE SHOPPING.
Going in and finding unusual pieces that you don’t see online. My most worn item is a suede jacket of my mom’s that she designed in the 1970s. I wore it through high school and we just did a version of it for our SS21 runway show.
RUNNING A FASHION BUSINESS TEACHES ME TENACITY.
But also the beauty of surrounding yourself with extraordinary people. That’s one of my biggest talents – having an incredibly talented team. The most important thing is to create a company that is a place where people feel appreciated, safe and valued.