In Her Closet: Aerin Lauder

I'm not sure if this is considered strange, but I just love taking a peep inside other people's closets. To me, it's such a personal space and being able to see how others organise their clothes and accessories reveals so much about the person's character and style. I love to explore all types of closet spaces and have decided to share with you all, on a weekly basis, wardrobes that take my fancy!

Starting off this series, I present Aerin Lauder's closet -- one that I love so very much for the open spaces, pastel creamy tones and upstate elegance. She is the granddaughter of beauty brand icon Estée Lauder and says her Park Avenue home was largely inspired by similar rooms her grandmother had in all her homes - floral and feminine right down to the Gracie wallpaper.

-- I had dreamed since I was a little girl of having a room of my own, a place to hide. This room was perfect: It is my dressing room, my closet, and my home office. - Aerin Lauder

In this above photo, it is clear that Aerin has created an oasis for herself. She is perched on the edge of her vintage Gabriella Crespi desk (such a magnificent piece of furniture) and has an antique venetion mirror hanging above the mirrored dresser inherited from her grandmother.

Combined with a chandelier picked up at a Paris auction, bouquets of peonies and oh so many beautiful shoes - this is truly a girly paradise!

Known for looking effortlessly chic, Aerin's armoires are filled with a well-edited selection of ladylike finds. Staples in her wardrobe include white blouses from Chloé and Calvin Klein, colorful dresses from Yves Saint Laurent and Gucci, and an eclectic mix of accessories, both vintage (Estée's Hermès Birkin bags) and modern (Lanvin bangles).

ON HER CLASSIC STYLE:
"Looking feminine is important to me. My personal style is fairly traditional. I was definitely influenced by my mother, who always looks elegant, and by Estée's classic style; she was always in Givenchy or Ungaro. My no-fail outfit right now is a great dress, usually from Tracy Feith, Chloé (I bought their short dresses for spring), or Michael Kors. Black pants are a staple in my wardrobe. I wear every shape, from skinny to full. I wear both dark and white Levi's all the time. I get them tailored to fit perfectly. For evening, I'm wearing a lot of short dresses. I used to wear only long, but I find short really easy and versatile. Now it feels special when I wear long."

ACCESSORIES...
It's impossible not to notice Lauder's affinity for Marc Jacobs Stam handbags. She has what looks to be one in every color. "They're a wonderful balance between feminine and edgy. I love the gold chain!" Other bag favorites: Balenciaga, Chloé, and "my black Ralph Lauren Ricky bags. I wear them to death!" When it comes to shoes, "there is no in-between: It's flats or four-inch heels." A rainbow of flats by Marc Jacobs, Christian Louboutin, Miu Miu, and Lanvin in every incarnation covers the floor of one armoire ("perfect for walking the kids to school every morning"). Another armoire holds Manolo Blahnik and Christian Louboutin stilettos and sandals.

JEWELLERY
"I love both real and fake jewelry. My kids make me necklaces, and I wear those, too. Every day, I wear my gold wedding band and the Cartier watch my husband gave me. Most of my fine jewelry has been a gift to me from Estée or my parents or my husband, but I did buy myself a black serpent bracelet from Fred Leighton. And I'm obsessed with Kazuko's heart pendants."

Images via Harper's Bazaar, Elle Decor and Browns Fashion

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