Object Of Desire: Three Stylish Women On Their Favourite Accessories

“My personal style is influenced by movies. I love Romy Schneider in the (Luchino) Visconti film The Job. Chanel did the clothes. I also love the actresses Anouk Aimée and Capucine, because they always look sophisticated. But for the past year, I’ve basically been living in sweatshirts and old Levi’s. I’ve been staying in Napa, where I grew up, and I didn’t expect to be [there] for such a long time, so I had only a few things with me. I wasn’t even carrying a bag apart from a canvas tote. In May, I had a big birthday and wanted to treat myself, so I decided that this pink-and-navy knit Chanel 11.12 would be something cute and chic to re-emerge into the world with. It was fun to think about going to New York and Paris again and having a nice bag. I’m still finding getting dressed a bit daunting, so I feel like even if I just wear something simple, the bag cheers it up. I like that Chanel makes classic bags in fun fabrics. It’s less serious, but still something that I can have forever and give to one of my daughters someday. Now that I haven’t been shopping for a while, it’s more appealing to have a few really nice things.”

“I founded Net-a-Porter in 2000 to create a platform where consumers could both discover and buy into trends. But personally, I’ve always been about purchasing things that are timeless. Women like Lauren Hutton, Katharine Hepburn and Audrey Hepburn are my style icons. My gold Bone cuff from Tiffany & Co. was a gift, but I was very explicit about wanting it. I got it for Christmas in 2013 from my boyfriend, Erik Torstensson. I’d had the silver version for 10 years and I wore it religiously every day—then I found out there was a gold one and I dropped a lot of hints. It has been something that I treasure because it was given to me, but also because I deeply desired it. I wear it a lot in the summer with swimwear. As soon as I think about going on holiday, it’s the first thing I put on. I’m a black bathing suit girl, but I’m not going to run around with diamonds. The cuff is solid, and it’s going to stay on me when I dive underwater. Plus, it makes for great pictures. It reminds me of the Wonder Woman power bracelets. I also love that it’s a beautiful object to look at. It’s sculptural when you stand it on the dresser. It has this organic shape and an indentation made to fit the wrist bone. Its designer, Elsa Peretti, is someone who had extraordinary personal style, and Tiffany’s recalls my love of Audrey, so I think it makes sense that the cuff is one of my favourite pieces.”

“I think a lot of people would say their most timeless pieces are straightforward, but I like mine to have a little something extra. They’re things I won’t find anywhere else. I want them to feel rooted in a certain time, a certain moment, a certain trend, because that’s what’s fun about wearing archival pieces. My extra-large Hermès travel bag is a quirky cousin of the traditional Birkin and feels a lot more personal. In 10, 20, even 30 years, it will still amuse and excite me. I really like Hermès bags, but I prefer uncommon shapes, not the standard Birkin or the Kelly. I’d been looking for this luggage style for a very long time. They’re hard to track down, so when I came across one a year ago,  I was thrilled and had to get it. Outside of its outrageousness, it has a great sense of quality and is just so practical. It fits an incredible amount and is beyond a weekender bag; it’s like a long weekender bag. Because it’s canvas, it’s much lighter than my other suitcases. I travel alone  a lot, and it’s something I can manage myself. It also makes me more mindful. I’ve been known to leave my passport behind from time to time, but when I’m travelling with this bag, I guard it like a hawk. So by default, it keeps my passport safe too.”