He recently opened his first store, BLUE CARREON HOME, in Manila, to great fanfare, where he is graciously hosting a KOTUR trunk show later this week. With much anticipation, Blue also just completed his fabulous coffee table book, “Conversations: Up Close and Personal with Icons of Fashion, Interior Design, and Art”.

“Conversation should touch everything, but should concentrate on nothing.” according to one of the world’s late great conversationalists, Oscar Wilde.

I admit to being completely devoted to Blue’s Huffington Post , “Conversations with…” series, hooked from the very first published piece.  Yes, the insights are inspiring, informative, and sometime amusing… but what’s more is that each  interview feels like excerpts  from the unpublished memoirs of the most stylish and  creative minds.

When Blue first asked me to participate in  “A Conversation With”, I felt thrilled, and honored… and a bit unworthy to join such prestigious creators from the worlds of interior and fashion design, art, photography, and literature.  Nevertheless, I had a ball with the questions- so seemingly simple, yet fun to answer and unquestionably insightful.  I, of course, had definite opinions for every question, from what “women should always” do (handwritten notes!) to what “men should never” do, (never go more than a week without calling your mother!), answered from as much the perspective of mother of four boys, as of designer.  I love that the questions intersected all corners of life,   and what’s more, I love reading everyone else’s responses.

Blue and I first met in Hong Kong ten years ago, through an editorial assignment when Blue was with Tatler. He has remained a dear friend, and in addition, I am his great admirer. His talents are many and diverse, as is his innate sense of style which permeates everything he touches- from his writing, to his interior design. Beyond this, I also adore and respect his soft spoken charm, the gracious way he leads his life,  and his quest for beauty in everything he does. Along with being a great journalist, perhaps it is Blue’s kind and disarming nature that allow such interesting, and even revealing answers, to reach the surface…

Perhaps the best conversations are the ones that are overheard, or seemingly that way. I remember the very first interview with Ines de la Fressange, and her cryptic but evocative answer with regard to her mother – it still has me wondering.  And how reflective of  each designer’s personal style, that Herve van der Streten believes “Nature will have the last word”, while John Varvatos says, in the end,  “it’s only rock and roll, and I like it”!

Jean Cocteau wrote, “Style is a simple way of saying complicated things”, and perhaps Blue knows this best. Revealed, through a menu of simple questions, are inspirations, and revelations… all delivered plain or spicy, but always with more than  a dash of chic.

Pre-order Blue’s book now: http://www.amazon.com/Conversations-Personal-Fashion-Interior-Design/dp/1629145475

Blue Carreon Home: http://bluecarreonhome.com/

Prabul Gurung// Zuhair Murad with KOTUR// Jason Wu with KOTUR

I recall one of my conversations with Iris, which stays with me still-
“I can’t think of anything more horrible than sitting on a beach, or going on  water skis. I mean, if I could just go to all these bazaars and souks and poke around, I’m happy as a clam. I can put things together or design things. I ‘m happiest when I’m creative.”

Take a look at her interview on HouseBeautiful.com below.

KOTUR: What’s your advice for finding treasures at flea markets and thrift stores?
IRIS APFEL: I do know what I would look for and it’s typically not what most people are attracted to. Look for what pleases you. If you buy something and you’re not comfortable with wearing it or having it out, then it’s not for you.  I always tell everybody, being well dressed or having your home well decorated is a choice. If you have to go through too much stress or aggravation or too much this or that… then, forget it! It’s better to be happy than to be chic. You just need to relax. There are no fashion police that are going to carry you away!

K:When One Kings Lane cleared your warehouses, did you come across stuff you forgot you even owned?
I: Absolutely! There were a lot of things I had forgotten. You can’t remember everything! Some things I had never even unpacked!

K: What piece of furniture would you never part with?
I: A number of things! There are a few things I’m letting go of that were very difficult. However, I’m taking a number of pieces down to my house in Palm Beach—I can’t fit anything else into my Park Avenue place.

K: Does your husband enjoy hunting for unique objects as much as you do?
I: We’ve been married 66 years—it’s a long time! At the beginning, when we were first married, he wanted everything new. He would act like a spoiled brat when I passed an antique shop. He would say, “I don’t want to go in! I don’t want anyone else’s old troubles!” But, once we got established he started to love it.

K: If your friends were shopping the sale, what would you advise them to look out for?
I: Well, it depends what the friend wanted and what they needed. There are a number of things that are very unusual and ridiculously priced I could sell them on!

K: You have your hands in so many different projects, do you just like staying busy?
I: Some days I’m frantic! Like today, I was supposed to give the people from MAC Cosmetics a quote but then my phone went dead… so I stole my husband’s, called them back with no luck and now they’re calling me back and I’m in the middle of a movie shoot!

K: It sounds like you need an assistant! Did you ever think you’d be busier than ever in your nineties?
I: I never wanted to stop working, but I never dreamt of being a geriatric starlet! Sometimes I grumble, but I thank god every night that I am 92-and-a-half and I am asked to do so many things. Getting shot for magazine covers and all kinds of stuff! It’s very exciting. I have been on the cover of every European publication you can think of, all these blogs and television shows too. It’s coo coo!

K: Do you still follow interior designers or do you just blaze your own path?
I: I haven’t been interested in an interior designer in a long, long time. Everything looks the same—if I could tell you the truth! I can’t say that I don’t see new pretty things here and there, but mostly it’s all boring as far as I am concerned. You can’t tell who lives in any of these apartments. There like divine hotel suites.

K: Too modern or too stark?
I:They’re just all the same. It’s like a formula and I don’t like that.

K: You’ve worked in both fashion and interior design. What are you most passionate about?
I: Fashion and interior design are one in the same.

K: You would say you definitely don’t follow trends?
I: Things are either good or they’re not. They either suit you or they don’t. Some years all the colors and cuts are wonderful, other years they’re ridiculous. I never buy what someone says is “in” or a “must-have.” I buy what makes me happy.

K: What exactly does it take to be chic?
I: It’s a big discussion… To sum it up, unfortunately, most people are not chic. You have to know who you are and you have to be comfortable with it. You just have to do it.

K: How can people tap into their inner uniqueness?
I: Self-exploration is very painful, but unless you do that you will never know who you are and who you want to be. People want all the results without doing any work. You don’t find out who you are unless you work at it.

Thank you Iris Apfel!

Favorite Holiday Destination: The Amalfi Coast. I adore the dramatic  coastline with the combination of mountains and sea. I love Positano and Capri for the view, the shopping, the food, history and best of all the Italians

AERIN Bronzer - I love bronzer. I use it all over my face for a natural glow.

AERIN Gold Essentials Bangle – my mother always wears her bracelets stacked, a custom that has been passed on to me.

AERIN Beach Rose Lip Gloss - Beach Rose was designed exclusively for my AERIN Southampton store. It has just the right amount of color.

AERIN Small Summer Makeup Bag - I love my signature geometric batik print for summer. And the bag is the perfect size, it holds everything I need for a summer holiday.

AERIN Oliver Peoples Sunglasses – a necessary accessory.

Favorite Holiday destination: The beach is my favorite summer holiday destination. I always have a few essentials I bring; a neutral lip gloss, bronzer and gold accessories. They are all extremely versatile and must-haves for any warm holiday.

A bucket load of swimwear… because who knows what you’ll be in the mood for? I go to Eres for basics, We Are Handsome for gorgeous, photographic-type prints, Lisa Marie Fernandez for stiffer neoprene type swimwear that could double as day wear and Norma Kamali for classics… and the list goes on

Tanning support My fave is Maui Babe Browning Lotion.  It smells good and gives you a nice subtle sheen right when you put it on.

A good juicy book to read  – although I haven’t found one for this summer yet. Any recommendations?

A large hat to keep you cool and to cover up just the face when tanning! I always love buying the local hats at whichever tropical locale I’m at.

A loose, linen cover up like an oversized men’s linen shirt and a long loose dress to wear during the evening - Mara Hoffman and Zimmermann are great.

Flat sandals for day and some wedges for the evening.  I’m loving the sandals I bought in Capri, where you can choose your colour and type of straps, heel height etc and they size them to your feet. It was so much fun I bought 6 pairs!!

Holiday Highlights:  I loved the restaurant Il Riccio which sat on the edge of the Capri cliffs. Beautiful view, food was delicious and fresh, plus my favourite part was the huge room just for desserts with a buffet of everything sweet you could imagine.

1. Printed Pants: Brilliantly shown by Beyonce here, you can’t go wrong with a tropical print trouser. Pair yours with clashing but simple shaped pumps, a sleek black shirt and some glitzy jewellery for a great day to night look. Pictures: Beyonce in Stella McCartney trousers, Erdem floral and monochrome print trousers from www.net-a-porter.com, green leaf print pants and zebra print pants by www.topshop.com, Just Cavalli floral trousers, black silk Talitha shirt from www.matchesfashion.com, Everly pumps in red, crystal earrings and necklace from www.jcrew.com and KOTUR for Operation Smile clutch available here.

2. Totally Tropical Day Dress: Make like Kate Bosworth in a tropical printed day dress for an easy summer look. Pair with tan accessories for a laid back approach to daytime chic. Pictures: Kate Bosworth in Topshop, red floral dress by www.topshop.com, Acne floral maxi dress at www.matchesfashion.com, orange floral Suno dress, neon floral Stella McCartney shift and Michael Kors heels all from www.net-a-porter.com, blue Mai Tai print dress from www.jcrew.com and BYT by KOTUR Theo clutch available here.

3. Leopard Love: Love a bit of leopard print a la Miranda Kerr for a full on take on print. Keep the shapes simple and your accessories clean and pared back for a chic approach. Pictures: Miranda Kerr in a leopard print shirt dress, Christopher Kane grey printed dress, Burberry leopard print silk dress, Giambatista Vialli pale grey printed dress and Lanvin zebra print dress all www.net-a-porter.com, tan sandals and gold bangles from www.jcrew.com, BYT by KOTUR Freida clutch available here.

My Celine Trio bag – it’s indispensable on any vacation whether it’s the city or beach. I have it in various colours, but red is my favourite.

Tod’s sandals – Everyone talks about K.Jacques, but Tod’s sandals are durable but also beautifully made and classic. I buy a few pairs every summer.

Tabla cover-ups – Their East-meets-West cover-ups are super chic and feature stunning hand embroideries from India. Plus, they go easily from beach to dinner – pair them with a pair of gold flats and you are good to go!

Tees and cotton dresses from J.Crew and Alexander Wang – I have these in various styles and colours. They work for any destination

Maui Babe Browning Lotion – I discovered this in Hawaii many years ago and always travel with it. It gives you the perfect golden brown tan!

Gold jewellery from Herve Van Der Straeten – His cuffs and earrings are perfect for the summer and are made from hammered gold. The designs are bold but always elegant, people always stop to ask me about them.

KOTUR Glitter Globe Clutch– It’s my current favourite because its playful yet chic. I’m obsessed with the gold glitter!

Holiday Highlights: Watching the sunrise during a hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia in Turkey where the unique rock formations look like you’ve stepped off a Star Wars movie set and waking up the view of the bosphorus in Istanbul. And my entire trip in Capri was magical, from dining under the lemon groves at Da Paolino and people watching in the piazzetta to discovering the white and green grottos on a private yacht.

1. Printed Shorts: As seen on Olivia Palermo, the tailored city short is a surefire way to chic and sleek whilst keeping it very summer friendly. Clash your prints for the fashion forward look, right down to your bag and shoes. Pictures: Olivia Palermo, Erdem blue floral shorts, Theory geometric blue shorts and Stella McCartney yellow floral shorts all from www.matchesfashion.com, J Crew ballet flats from www.jcrew.com, See By Chloe floral T shirt, Boy by Band of Outsiders white floral T shirt, J Crew printed pink short sleeve blouse and cloud print frill bottom shirt by Kenzo from www.net-a-porter.com, Stella McCartney sunglasses and Kotur Breen in Snake Print available on sale here.

2. Nude Story: Rosie Huntington Whiteley ably demonstrates the power of nude in an extremely chic summer city outfit seen here. Pair your pale pinks and creams with nude heels and a snakeskin clutch for the ultimate ladylike look. Pictures: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Osman Yousefzada pink jacquard dress, Bottega Veneta pink wrap front dress, Duccio Venturi nude heels and Alaia cut out skirt from www.matchesfashion.com, pink midi pencil skirt from www.topshop.com, Belstaff blouse and lace Chloe short sleeve top from www.net-a-porter.com, aviators by Tom Ford and Kotur Margo in snakeskin available on sale here.

3. Maxi Magic: Alessandra Ambrosio’s statement printed maxi is the ideal take on relaxed city chic. Go for super bright prints, statement shades and easy sandals for this season’s take on the everyday run-around look. Pictures: Alessandra Ambrosio, Cool Change tie dye bandeau dress, Anna and Boy two tone pink and yellow maxi, Marc Jacobs floral print halterneck and Sam Edelman sandals all from www.matchesfashion.com, Topshop pink printed maxi dress from www.topshop.com, panama hat from www.jcrew.com and BYT by Kotur Freida clutch available here.