There is a way of dressing for summer that allows for some unashamed indulgence in the more bohemian corners of our wardrobe, and it’s one that we at KOTUR love to explore. Regularly seeking inspiration from all corners of the world in our collections, we believe there is something inordinately glamorous not to mention truly original about wearing beautiful things picked up on your travels– a kaftan from India, some sandals from St Tropez, with perhaps a few jewels from a trip to the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul thrown in – that not only makes for a stunning look but also can’t help but make us feel the holiday vibes.
It’s a way of dressing used to be the domain of only the extremely well travelled and impeccably stylish, but thanks to some wonderful websites, that is actually no longer the case. Several fabulous women we know have launched online boutiques dedicated to sourcing extraordinary items from all over the world and delivering just this sort of gypset, glamorous style. Professional shoppers with an eye for the exquisite, a taste for the exotic and a wonderful sense of adventure thrown in, these extremely stylish women have made it their mission to shop the world so we don’t have to. Here they talk us through some of their best finds.
Alisa Ng, founder of www.shoplatitude.com
Coming from a former career in finance, Alisa launched shoplatitude.com with the aim of providing women with the means to shop the whole world from the comfort of their homes. Here are some of her personal highlights from her site.
What’s your favorite place to shop in the world, and why?
It would have to be The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. Where else can you find the worlds best towels, incredible vintage textiles and one of Marie Antoinette’s tiaras all under one roof!
What are your most glamorous holiday destinations?
Jaipur, Rajasthan, Atacama Desert in Chile and Bagan in Myanmar
How about your failsafe holiday outfits?
Long skirts for shopping in hot destinations, and tunics or kaftans at the beach
Name your brand’s ultimate style icon?
I would say it’s a mix of Frida Kahlo, Maharani Gayatri Devi, with a little Talitha Getty thrown in. They were all glamorous strong women with effortless style.
What’s your favorite item on your site?
It would have to be our camel tassels. We kept seeing all these camels decorated with them in Jaipur and we just had to have them. They are great to use as luggage tags, home décor or even belts.
Lisa Fine, founder of www.irvingandfine.com
A former editor at Elle Décor and House Beautiful, Lisa makes up half of the duo Irving and Fine, a label responsible for some of the most beautiful coats we’ve seen. Superb for luxurious colours, finishes and embroideries, her website is steeped in bohemian glamor.
What’s your favorite place to shop in the world, and why?
My favorite place to shop is usually the last place I went! I just returned from Istanbul where I found beautiful silks and velvets in vibrant jewel tone colors. However, once the excitement of the recent retail discoveries fade, I usually go back to my favorite, Delhi. When there, I buy textiles, jewels (Bharany is my favorite), Ayurveda beauty products (Kama is the best) and spices (Mittal tea).
Name your most glamorous holiday destination.
I really do think that the most glamorous cities in the world are Istanbul and Lisbon, and The Four Seasons Ritz in Lisbon is probably the most glamorous hotel ever.
How about your failsafe holiday outfits?
For day, my Irving Fine silk leopard coat with black velvet jeans (by Adriano Goldschmied, J Brand or Zara), a black cashmere sweater (J Crew, Uniqlo,), black boots from Roger Vivier and a colorful cashmere scarf from Andraab in India. These scarves are a great way to always have a different look while wearing the same outfit! I have a variety of luscious colors, checks, plaids and traditional embroideries. It is amazing how just a scarf can change things.
For night I wear our Irving and Fine Lokum velvet coat. My favorite one is a green velvet carnation print. I wear it over a Lanvin black T shirt dress with black tights and my pink velvet Kotur Lily loafers. If I want variety, I change up my jewelry, either with big earrings or a big necklace, most likely by Bharany or Kenneth Jay Lane.
Name your brand’s ultimate style icon
Jane Birkin was the original Boho style icon who had an effortless chic and made blue jeans and t-shirts a fashion statement.
Millicent Rogers was so glamorous and had a unique way of mixing all styles, cultures, high and low before it was fashionable. I love the picture of her wearing an Indian sarong long before India was on the fashion radar. And then Nan Kempner, because she was always as witty, fun and generous as she was stylish.
Carolina Herrera is my living style icon. She is a true lady, pretty is as pretty does. All she needs is a white shirt. What is better?
What’s your favorite item on your site?
My favorite item on our site is the Indigo mix print peasant blouse. I actually designed it as my go to easy top for day and night, day with jeans, night with black trousers or a long black gypsy skirt or ball gown and an Irving Fine fur vest. I have always loved Indigo and black, peasant blouses and prints. This has all three in one and can go anywhere.
Stephanie von Watzdorf, founder of www.figue.com
After more than 20 years working for luxury brands, Stephanie launched Figue to deliver clothes as luxurious as they are bohemian. With wonderful kaftans, embroidered jackets and standout accessories, hers is a label to look to for that something special in your summer wardrobe.
What’s your favorite place to shop in the world, and why?
I love shopping in India, especially Rajasthan. There is such a mix of color, rich embroideries and old pattern work. There is the mix of old and new and a great assortment of fabrics, jewels and inspirations.
Your most glamorous holiday destination?
My best holiday ever was going on safari in Kenya. I highly recommend Royal African Safaris. It was the most amazing holiday and they took care of every detail.
What about your failsafe holiday outfit?
For day, I always bring a kaftan – for summer, I love our Ella kaftan in white. For night, I like a tunic with silk pants and always a beautiful objet trouvé necklace, a real statement piece.
Name your brand’s ultimate style icons
Anita Pallenberg, Gabriella Crespi, Diana Vreeland, Kate Moss
What’s your favorite item on your site – and why?
The Celeste kaftan in ivory reminds me of the hand-carved cutwork done by artisans in Lamu, in Kenya. I loved my time in there last year before I went on safari.
The Mina dress reminds me of a vintage textile I found in a flea market in Europe. The embroidered textile was cotton, but I made the dress in silk, so light and airy and great for traveling. And our Jasmine tunic in chocolate trellis with the Goa pant in red Maasai ikat is a really versatile outfit, you can dress it up or down and it is so comfortable in a warm climate.