My Style: Claire Adler
Photo: Ian Phillips McLaren — Courtesy of Claire Adler
The three essential things a woman should know about style are...
To remember that at any given moment in your life you could bump into your ex-boyfriend with his new girlfriend/wife. Could this just be all you need to know?
Please describe your style in three words.
Accessorise all areas.
What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?
Wearing all black every day.
Do you believe in role models?
My mother is my ultimate inspiration — a paradigm of style, resilience, and kindness.
What are your favourite fabrics?
Velvet, cashmere, linen, and I’m getting into denim again after a long hiatus.
Are there any style combinations that you object to?
It depends on who is wearing them.
Which city has the best-dressed women?
Tokyo.
Would you say that you are conservative or bold?
Well, both actually. I like to surprise people. My middle name is Esther, which means hidden, while Claire means light, so I think conservative and bold are two facets of my personality. Wow, that was deep.
What are the rules in the way you dress?
I like quality simple basics and I like adding a touch of drama to them. I like mimicking my natural colouring, so I enjoy wearing blues, greys and greens to allude to my eyes, and camel colours and the occasional dash of gold to hint at my blonde hair. I love buying different shades of tights and leggings to transform an outfit. I regularly clear out my wardrobe, often giving away items I haven’t worn in over 18 months. I have never missed anything ever.
Celebrities and style...
Are a combination I adore reading about in the What Were They Thinking page in Heat magazine.
Name one garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?
A fun, daring statement ring always brightens my day.
A woman should always look like...
She is not completely sure if she’s fabulously dressed/having a good hair day/working the room with enviable grace, even on a day when she knows she is all of these things.
Who taught you what you know about style?
Not sure. It’s a mixture of instinct and making it up as I go along.
How do you select your clothing every morning?
I’m a bit quirky in that I often start by deciding on a random accessory, like a pair of violet suede heels or a yellow handbag. It’s always about making the whole outfit work together.
What is your biggest regret?
I regret not buying some of the early designs Frank Gehry did for Tiffany.
Do you have any shopping rituals?
Before buying an item I always try to work out if I have at least two outfits to wear with it. If I really love it and I don’t have anything to wear with it, I buy something that day to match it.
We will never see you wearing...
Platform heels.
Which new designers do you follow and why?
I love the relaxed feel and interesting detailing at Hoss Intropia.
Who is the most stylish person you have ever seen?
I was recently with my family in Vienna looking through old photographs of my maternal Viennese grandmother who had exceptional poise and style all her life.
What is the first thing you notice on a woman?
Her warmth.
What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?
A pair of diamond cufflinks my mother gave my late father on their engagement which I love wearing, a luxurious gold and brown woven leather Diane von Furstenburg bag, and a Richard Mille edition Babolat tennis racket.
The one image that defined your approach to style...
An image of Elizabeth Taylor taken by Cecil Beaton showing her wearing a magnificent Van Cleef & Arpels bejewelled headpiece. Not exactly everyday luxury, but undeniably glamorous all the same.
Which fashion house never fails to impress you?
Louis Vuitton.
One article of clothing that a woman needs to pay close attention to is...
Accessories because they can make or break a whole look.
Is comfort an enemy of style?
I have a habit of popping ballet pumps in a shoe bag in my handbag… if you get my drift.
Who would you like to recommend for My Style?
Lauren Adriana, a dynamic, free-thinking jeweller with great attitude who is the step grand-daughter of Sir Paul Smith.
The best words of advice you have ever heard?
“Some women are like teabags, it's only when they're in hot water you see how strong they get.” — Eleanor Roosevelt via my friend Trevor Simon.
