As a person, Barbara is as memorable as her designs, both rarefied and intelligent. From her career as a costume designer in Hollywood, she designed her first red carpet dress for Uma Thurman at the Oscars in 1995 while working as a consultant for Prada. The Lavendar dress was published everywhere, and featured in Hal Rubenstein’s book, 1000 Unforgettable Dresses. From there, Barbara launched her eponymous line in Barneys, and has built a loyal following since. “I was always interested in making clothes for the woman who wants to look unique, has her own sense of style…” … and for that spirit, we celebrate Barbara Tfank as our MUSE.

Here, she answers our questions:

What’s in your make-up bag?
By Terry Baume de Rose, Anastasia eyebrow wiz, Mavala cuticle oil

Do you have a beauty secret?
Wash my face 2 daily with Cera Ve. I do not use any creams at night.

What would be your desert island essentials?
Sun block, a hat, By Terry Baume de Rose, a few good books, sunglasses and my husband.

What do you wear on a fat day?
Black pants. T shirt and a glamorous coat.

How would your female friends describe your style?
“Approachable elegance”, “Wearable luxury” and “Regal but of the people”

What’s the most treasured item in your wardrobe?
My Cocktail coat in vintage Bianchini Ferier brocade.

Is there anything in your wardrobe you should get rid of but can’t?
Many pairs of black pants.

What do you never leave home without?
My antique gold drop earrings and gold bracelet.

Hot date night with your husband/boyfriend/lover, what do you wear?
Slim dress with opera coat and high heels.

When home alone, what do you wear?
Black pants and t shirt

What do you wear to bed?
A collection of white cotton night dresses from Peress on Madison Ave.

You’re the fashion police for a day, what do you ban?
Poorly fitted clothing. Almost anything can look good if it fits properly.

Have you ever worn anything you now regret?
Yes the same pink coat as one the models in my show. The model was a foot taller than me!

How high is too high a heel?
I only wear high heels with a platform 4 “ limit.

How old is too old for jeans?
I never wear them but admire how others of all ages carry them off.

If you could live in any other time for its fashion, when would you choose?
18 century and 1920’s.

What is your most recent purchase?
Black thick heeled suede booties.

Can you judge a book by its cover?
Absolutely. Having been a costume designer it’s definitely a habit.

What are your bad habits?
Too Self-critical, second guessing situations.

What’s your greatest extravagance?
Pratesi sheets

What are your guilty pleasures?
Coffee, very good Bordeaux.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Take it day at a time.

What’s your favorite smell?
A huge bouquet of sterling silver roses

What’s your idea of a great holiday?
A quiet moment in a beautiful natural setting.

What are you most proud of?
My latest collection Spring Summer 16

What are you least proud of?
My tendency to worry.

What is your pure bliss?
A Sant Ambrose cappuccino and long Madison Ave walk.

Who or what would you like to be reincarnated as in your next life?
A cross between an opera signer and a film director

What would you eat for your last supper?
Grilled salmon with farm to table vegetables followed by cheese and salad and an expresso.

If you could meet someone from history who would it be?
A tie between Frederico Fellini and Marie Antoinette

Yes or no to a nip and a tuck?
Yes

Do you have a favorite purse or bag?
My black Hermes pouchette

Do you have a favorite KOTUR bag?
My Gold minaudiere with vintage brocade lining.

On a scale of one-to-ten, how good looking are you?
Too difficult to answer

How would you like to be remembered?
A designer who created beautiful clothing in gorgeous fabrics that uplifted the spirit.

Photo Courtesy of Barbara Tfank’s Instagram, getty images

Ghanaian born, California raised, and with a collection inspired by both Victorian clothing and her native Africa, Mimi Plange is a breath of fresh air in the fashion world.  Having gained a degree in architecture from Berkeley, she headed to the Fashion Institute of Technology in San Francisco before hot footing it to New York where worked both as a jewelry merchandiser and a designer for various brands before finally setting out on her own.

Her collections are fresh and form fitting, with Scarred Perfection, her offering for Autumn Winter 2011 currently on show at the SCAD Gallery (Savannah College of Art and Design) in Hong Kong. She’s dressed women from Michelle Obama to Rihanna, who love her pieces for their structured femininity. For next Spring, inspired by a Victorian tea party, her offering comes in pastels, with pussy bow blouses and neat nipped in waists designed, foremost, to flatter. A creator of clothes made to cross the boundaries of fads, of quality fashion built to last, she’s a woman and designer with a point of view and a point of difference and we’re delighted to have her as our latest KOTUR Muse.

KOTUR: What’s in your make-up bag?

Mimi: Nars blush in Exhibit A, an array of Lancome Juicy Tubes and Mascara, Cover FX foundation and Powder, and mini vials of Bond NO 9 perfume.

KOTUR: Do you have a beauty secret?

Mimi: Well, my grandmother told me that if you rub a sliced lemon on your legs 24 hours after you shave, the hair would grow back slower. It certainly works as a natural exfoliator and smoothes the skin.

KOTUR: What would be your desert island essentials?

Mimi: Water Jurlique Hydrating Mist, a sunhat, a Mimi Plange maxi kaftan, a collection of sexy novels and Soltan sun lotion with insect repellent

KOTUR: How would your female friends describe your style?

Mimi: Fearlessly repetitive. I am not scared of bold fashion, and I am not scared of sticking to a silhouette once I discover what works for my body and appeals to my aesthetic.

KOTUR: What’s the most treasured item in your wardrobe?

Mimi: A little black sheath dress with ostrich feathers. Its really forward and modern, but classic at the same time. Just what I love!

KOTUR: Is there anything in your wardrobe you should get rid of but can’t?

Mimi: I have a Rick Owens sweater I have really, and I do mean really, worn to death. I love the feel and fit, and somewhere in my mind, I’ve managed to convince myself that it’s a little rock and roll even though I know its not. I know its time to say goodbye, but I simply can’t.

KOTUR: What do you never leave home without?

Mimi: Mascara and my iphone

KOTUR: How high is too high a heel?

Mimi: I don’t believe any heel is ever too high, as long as you can walk in them. I admire a woman who can endure her heels effortlessly.

KOTUR: How old is too old for jeans?

Mimi: Denim is like a fine wine or an elegant woman, they both get better with age. They gain history, character, and the tell tale signs that make them unique. It is the only item that could possibly fit better with age, too, aside from maybe a leather jacket.

KOTUR: What is your most recent purchase?

Mimi: A four day trip to Brussels to visit family and enjoy a very “mini” vacation.

KOTUR: Can you judge a book by its cover?

Mimi: Not at all, especially not in today’s day and age, when people are in search for a certain level of function and comfort in their clothing. We now see CEO’s going to work in jeans and woven shirts. The world is becoming a smaller place, and our own ideas of who has power and what that power looks like are being reshaped every day. It’s best to be informed, and not to pass judgment.

KOTUR: What are your bad habits?

Mimi: Worrying too much, and not drinking enough water!

KOTUR: What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

Mimi: To focus on yourself. Not in a selfish way, but you have many things of your own to work on, so there’s no need to focus on other people or what they need to fix. You should worry about your own journey, and learn not to compare yourself to anyone else.

KOTUR: What’s your favorite smell?

Mimi: I love smells that feel romantic, like spicy notes of ginger, lemongrass and rose.

KOTUR: What are you most proud of?

Mimi: I’m proud of the ability to work in a field that I love, and to allow my passion to thrive. I’m in love with all things fashion. Being able to dress Michelle Obama was a complete honor I will never forget!

KOTUR: How would you like to be remembered?

Mimi: For my work

KOTUR: Do you have a favorite KOTUR bag?

Mimi: I am currently in love with two KOTUR bags that are innovative, playful and sexy; the glittery gold snow globe inspired glass clutch and the pink liquid water clutch. I love their modern shape, and how they can both move easily from a playful day look, to a seductive evening accent.

As a designer, style icon, mother and fashion mogul, Rachel truly understands the demands of her customers’ diverse lifestyles. Even Michelle Obama is frequently dressed in Rachel Roy, and who, if not our First Lady, better epitomizes the modern working mother?

Rachel is genuinely lovely, modest and supportive; she is a generous mentor, and champions the success of others. It is this spirit, together with her clear creative vision, that made our KOTUR for Rachel Roy collaboration for Fall 2012 such an inspiring experience for me, and which also proves that qualities such as hers just never go out of style…

KOTUR: What is your most recent purchase?
Rachel: Jacquie Aiche body chain

KOTUR: What’s the most treasured item in your wardrobe?
Rachel: Hermes cashmere trench

KOTUR: What’s in your make-up bag?
Rachel: Bobbi Brown Tinted Eye Brightener, Nars Crayon in Red Square and Cynde Watson lip pencils with both a stain and a tint

KOTUR: Do you have a favorite purse or bag?
Rachel: My oversize Celine clutch for it’s sleek design and smart, hidden compartments

KOTUR: Name your desert island essentials?
Rachel: Caudalie Beauty Elixir, Dr. Hauschka Lip Care Stick & Kevin Murphy Powder Puff which lets me go days without washing my hair and gives my hair the perfect wave

KOTUR: Do you have a beauty secret?
Rachel: The best thing I do for my face, skin and body is drink as much water as I can and yoga at least twice a week

KOTUR: What do you wear on a fat day?
Rachel: There’s more to looking thin than wearing a lot of black. I often wear a thin A-line trench coat as a dress – they make you instantly lose 5lbs…

KOTUR: How would your female friends describe your style?
Rachel: Effortlessly exotic chic

KOTUR: What do you never leave home without?
Rachel: I always have organic almonds or cashews in my purse, for a quick snack. They give me just the right energy to go from work to an event. I also carry a seashell to remind me of my favorite times with my girls

KOTUR: What quality do you most admire in a person?
Rachel: Honesty and humor

KOTUR: What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Rachel: Stick to your point of view

KOTUR: What’s your favorite smell?
Rachel: I love Jo Malone Red Roses Cologne spray- it’s so fresh and clean and Chanel No.5 lotion because it last longer then the perfume

KOTUR: What’s your idea of a great holiday?
Rachel: For me it’s all about my girls – always has been – the day after Christmas I take them to the sea, it is our holiday tradition that bonds and relaxes us

KOTUR: What are you most proud of?
Rachel: Besides raising my two daughters, taking a monumental risk by naming my collection Rachel Roy. It was a huge leap of faith in myself and a huge lesson in my life to follow my instinct

KOTUR: What’s your pure bliss?
Rachel: I love the Caudalie at the Plaza Hotel. The Caudalie Grand Facial treatment makes my skin feel amazing! The massage they do really gets my circulation going and puts the vibrancy back into my skin

KOTUR: Which of the various Kotur bags you have is your favorite?
Rachel: Kotur for Rachel Roy Garnet Multi Graphic Tweed Clutch with Tassel and Gold Rock