Sophisticated with a dash of swagger—these North Shore trendsetters prove that style is indeed a state of mind.
From co-founder and fashion designer of luxe faux fur brand Maison Atia (maisonatia.com) to co-owner of hip Highland Park teahouse Madame Zuzu’s (madamezuzus.com) to proud parent of Augustus and Clementine with partner Billy Corgan, Chloé Mendel is always on the go—and always effortlessly in style, whether it’s draping a chic coat over her workout togs or mixing and matching pieces and accessories. Here, she gives us the scoop on her rules of style.
What does style mean to you?
Style and personality go hand in hand. It’s the first impression anyone sees, and it’s your opportunity to show who you are with few words and little action.
How would you describe your personal style?
Effortless, feminine, colorful and comfortable. I want to feel good about myself in my clothes, but I like to have fun with my clothes as well. Each piece in my closet reminds me of a memory, whether it was the time I bought it, who I purchased the item with, a gift from a friend or a score at a thrift store.
What item of clothing can’t you live without?
I am a collector of coats—I love coats and can never have enough. They elevate every outfit and hide my workout clothes after the gym.
What are your essential accessories?
I’m pretty simple when it comes to good accessories. It’s quality over quantity for me. A great wallet, versatile handbag and assortment of scarves are my go-tos. As a young mom, having a handbag that can go with most of my looks is what I need and look for when I am shopping now.
Who is your favorite fashion icon?
Jane Birkin is someone I always revert to. I love how fabulous she always is yet always very simple in styling. Her effortless style is what draws me to her (plus my fascination for Serge Gainsbourg).
Who are your favorite designers of the moment?
My father! Gilles Mendel is and will always be my favorite designer.
What is your proudest achievement?
Having my kids. I think all moms can relate to this. You discover how strong, powerful and amazing you can be all so quickly. I have so much more energy and feel like I can do so much more now that I have little humans to take care of in addition to work, life and everything else I want to do. Being a mother makes me so proud and fills my heart with joy.
What are you most passionate about right now?
Food. I love to eat. I love to cook. I love to read about food. Something about ingredients, flavors, aromas and awakening the senses inspires me so much. Late at night I like to read the New York Times food section, Food 52, random food blogs… It’s definitely a passion!
What is your big news?
We are working on an amazing spring collection. I cannot share what it is yet, but I am so excited and can’t wait to share it with the world.
What is your hope for the future?
I suppose it is to always pursue happiness and be in the present—because we are here now, and I want to make the most of it. My children are the future for me, and I hope they can be happy, empathetic, peaceful and loving individuals who want to do great things for their communities and themselves.
Brazil native and longtime Highland Park resident Graziela Kaufman is a woman of equal passions: for jewelry, as the Gemological Institute of America-certified creative force behind luxe line Graziela (grazielagems.com), worn by everyone from Taylor Swift to Julia Roberts; for animal rights, as an ardent supporter of organizations ranging from the ASPCA to PETA and MCP Rescue + Outreach, of which she is the VP; and for family, as a wife and a mother to four boys. With the recent release of her first pearl collection and first men’s featuring only ethically sourced gems, as do all her lines—the designer continues to break new ground, and now she shares her hopes and stylistic inspirations exclusively with NS.
What does style mean to you?
Style to me is about attitude—having the best attitude toward life. It’s about self-confidence and knowing who you are. Everyone has their own individual style, and the best way to go about it in life is to never try and be or look like someone else.
How would you describe your personal style?
I like good basics for every day, some fun colors for events, and I splurge on different accessories. I love to add cool, fun shoes and purses to my outfit, and I’m a ‘more is more’ girl when it comes to jewelry. The way that you wear your jewelry speaks a lot about who you are.
What item of clothing can’t you live without?
I love the jean jacket by Wren + Glory with hearts on the back that my kids gave me.
What are your essential accessories?
My watches, our floating diamond necklace layered with my letter pendant, my baguette mega swirl ring and my wedding band. Those never leave me.
Who is your favorite fashion icon?
I have many, and they are all from the past. These women for me are the epitome of class, elegance and, when it comes to Brigitte Bardot, sexiness. Audrey Hepburn and Jackie O are it for me.
Who are your favorite designers of the moment?
I love all Stella McCartney coats for the winter as well as Maison Atia faux coats, which are absolutely incredible. Gucci went fur-free, so I’m all about them also. LØCI shoes, which are all made from plastic from the ocean, are beautiful. I’m obsessed with helping our planet every time I have the chance, which can be through our clothing also.
What is your proudest achievement?
My four kids. They are kind, sensitive, respectful and goodhearted men, and that’s more than I could ask for.
What is your hope for the future?
I hope that with all that happened this past year, we finally realize what matters most in life, and that’s our families and close friends. It’s doing more of what you love on a daily basis and also in your work. It’s to live more. It’s caring about our planet and this Earth that we live on and doing at least one thing every day that can create change.
The dynamic duo behind hit Winnetka salon 60s Beauty Lash (the60beautylash.com), Gia Amato-Miller and Annette Pecora are beauty veterans with a slew of major brand experience (think Oprah Winfrey, Mario Tricoci and Kiva Day Spa) under their belts. Together, these self-proclaimed “lash addicts” have created one of the North Shore’s most essential style spots, with a passionate following of brides and fashionistas. Here, the effortlessly chic pair dish on their own style musts.
How would you describe your personal style?
GAM: Classic-modern chic.
What does style mean to you?
AP: Having confidence gives you all the style you need.
Who are your favorite designers of the moment?
AP: My favorite designer currently is a Chicagoan, Azeeza, who is fabulous and makes you feel pretty in her beautiful dresses! You can never go wrong with Hermès—it’s so timeless and classic—and I love Zara for outerwear.
GAM: For luxury, Dior and Khaite. I absolutely love the element of the feminine sophistication with cosmopolitan sensibility. For casual brands, Massimo Dutti, Zara and Theory. I enjoy the ease and styling of the European cut, and Theory is classic yet refined casual everyday wear.
What are your essential accessories?
GAM: My Manolo Blahnik kitten mules; because I’m on my feet most days, they are the perfect heel day or night. Also, my classic silk wool Gucci cream overcoat, which goes with everything and is a perfect transitional piece into fall/winter.
What are you most passionate about right now?
GAM: My role as a mother and parent and my practice of mindfulness.
What is your proudest achievement?
AP: My two girls, Grace and Natalie.
What is your big news?
AP: I’m not pregnant!
What is your hope for the future?
GAM: Peace. Always peace.
For Erin Coupe, personal style is as much about how you feel as about how you look. As the founder of Authentically EC (erincoupe.com), her prime passion is to help people lead better lives by guiding them toward self-actualization, with clients ranging from high-powered corporate executives to members of global associations and staff and students at universities. “It’s truly a gift that I live my passion every day in my work,” Coupe says. That passion extends to her fab fashion sense as well, which she describes as “confident with an edge, and humbly confident.” Here, Coupe delves into her philosophy of style.
What does style mean to you?
Style to me is the authentic expression of my essence.
What item of clothing can’t you live without?
Leather pants and Carbon38 leggings.
What are your essential accessories?
All of my David Yurman pieces—particularly the black and white diamond ring that I wear every day on my right ring finger. I’ve had it over a decade, and it’s a forever piece.
Who is your favorite fashion icon?
Jennifer Aniston is a woman with style that’s simple yet catchy, and exudes confidence without being over the top. I’m attracted to those that wear their clothes well, not the other way around.
Who are your favorite designers of the moment?
DVF will always have a special place in my heart—I just celebrated my 10th wedding anniversary on Nantucket and wore the DVF dress my husband gifted me the night we got engaged in 2010.
What is your proudest achievement?
Creating a life I love where I can live in the present. I was raised in poverty with very little resources and had to grow up fast. However, determination, courage and resilience are my greatest qualities due to my life experiences. I am so proud and grateful for the life I’ve created together with my husband.
What is your big news?
I’m writing a book! I believe that leaders of today and the future need to develop more human skills that inspire, engage and motivate people. I also recently completed a course at MIT Sloan School of Management on the neuroscience of business and leadership and am so excited to bring this knowledge to my existing and future clients.
What is your hope for the future?
That people learn the keys to a fulfilling human experience—to truly feel their emotions, love themselves and evolve their ways of being for the greater good of themselves and humanity.
Photography by: CHLOÉ MENDEL: Photo By Katrina Wittkamp; Hair by Juan Jose Herrera/HairbyJuanJose.com; Makeup by Aga Rhodes/MakeupbyAga.com
GRAZIELA KAUFMAN: Photo by Robin Subar
GIA AMATO-MILLER & ANNETTE PECORA: Photo By Katrina Wittkamp; Makeup by Darcy McGrath/DarcyMcGrath.com
ERIN COUPE: Photo by Chloe Camille
