tFS: Who are the go-to designers that come to mind first when you’re dealing with a client. Obviously it’s going to vary from person to person, but …
Tayler: It’s depends on the client, it depends on their lifestyle, it depends on their age. One go-to that’s a no-fail, if you do have the budget, is Chanel. That might sound generic, but every woman is over-the-top thrilled to be dressed head-to-toe Chanel. Whether it’s an 18-year-old girl who wants to make her way in the social world at a young age or the CEO woman who needs to look amazing for a business meeting, or for cocktails after work. It’s a no-brainer, but there’s such an elevated sense of elegance when you put Chanel on. And I would say that and Hermes, when it comes to bags. Every time we have a high-end client, that’s the first thing they want. They want a Birkin, they want a Kelly. They want to expand their collection or to begin their collection. That’s usually kind of … a really good place for us to start.
Gregg: Because there’s really no age limitation on that wardrobe. An 18-year-old can put on a Chanel jacket or a Chanel skirt and it looks amazing, it looks so appropriate.
Tayler: Yes, with a pair of leather leggings and motorcycle boots.
Gregg: Right, it would be styled differently. We met with Christopher Kane recently when we were at a cocktail party, we met him at the Carlyle. And he was actually a fan of the show, which is so funny. He said, “Oh my god, we’ve been in New York, and we got marathons of Million Dollar Shoppers in our room. We’re kind of obsessed.”
Tayler: We thought that we were going to die.
Gregg: This is major, this is somebody out of London who’s dressing Coco Rocha, and he’s watching Million Dollar Shoppers. That’s kind of a surreal moment, where we’re like, ok…
Tayler: Yeah, when Christopher Kane is recognizing what we’re doing, that’s kind of a major moment for us.
tFS: Since we’re speaking of designers … Do you have an opinion on Hedi Slimane’s new Saint Laurent? The runway shows have been so controversial among critics, but the collections are reportedly selling extremely well. Stylists and shoppers seem to love it, because of the way individual pieces fit and feel.
Gregg: I recently bought my boyfriend a lot of YSL and also I’ve worn some on the show. In the opening segment where I’m wearing that Phillip Lim sequined jumpsuit, the shoes are from the new Saint Laurent. You know, I love it. It’s such a Seventies throwback. And I love a fringe, I think it’s very glamorous. The way it embraces different eras is so chic and the narrow cut for men … my boyfriend loves that, because he’s super thin. I think it’s very chic right now, I think it’s wearable, in pieces. And I think it’s edgy for a lot of people. And it’s fun to see a well-known designer … it’s always exciting to see who steps in, and their new take on an existing label. With Saint Laurent, they went way back in the archives. I’m really excited personally and I hope to be able to acquire a good amount.
Tayler: It feels a little like an homage to the old Saint Laurent. It was kind of curious to see what the response to the rebranding was, just from a marketing standpoint. Because YSL has become such a brand in itself — just the initials — so changing it to Saint Laurent… I’ve been kind of curious to see what their marketing behind that was. But I think it’s a seamless transition to have Hedi on board, it’s been amazing.
Gregg: From seeing so many documentaries on YSL, I think it’s really consistent with where the label has been. But it’s also a fresh perspective, it’s very youthful. It’s great for a client. I think head-to-toe is maybe a bit much … but I would wear it head-to-toe. That’s just me. And I die over floppy hats, so give me a floppy hat and I’ll lie down for that one.
tFS: Any trends you’re sick of?
Tayler: A trend that I’m totally sick of and I don’t know how Gregg feels about this, but the high-heeled tennis shoe. Or whatever you want to call it. I am just like, come on please. Can’t we move past this?
Gregg: I’m not a fan of skinny-leg anything, so I’m kind of glad that clothes for women are going into palazzo pant moment, a little bit wider. I love all that, because it’s a little more drama. I just think too many people wear skinny when … skinny doesn’t make you look skinny. Not everyone needs to wear a skinny leg anything, or leggings. I’m kind of done with that too. Even though they’re a staple and you should have one or two pieces, it’s like … how many people can wear skinny leg jeans? Embrace a different silhouette for a minute.
Tayler: I’m all about a skinny, but not for everyone. It absolutely takes the right body type to wear it, but I love a legging. I love a skinny pant. But I also feel that the trend needs to get away from that for all body types. And you have to be conscious of what your body is before you wear something like that. So I’m all about the new wide leg silhouette, because I think it can be so flattering on so many different figures.
Gregg: We like to have fun with fashion. So when we’re dealing with trends … I edit my wardrobe every single season. And I redo things that I’ve had for ten years, because they’re great pieces and I rework them. Knowing what you feel comfortable wearing and having fun with fashion — experimenting and trying new silhouettes. If it doesn’t look good, it’s a mistake and that’s ok. But at least you had fun doing it. I love a good smile on someone’s face. And if they feel great, then you’ve done a great job. That doesn’t mean that it looks amazing, because everyone has an opinion, but I always like to have fun. But not everybody or hardly anybody is going to like what I wear, but I have fun wearing it. We work so hard to afford the things that we have, so I just have fun spending it.
tFS: Finally, can you share a piece of style advice, either the best you’ve ever received or something that you wish everyone knew?
Tayler: Dress for your body type. Don’t follow trends, be a trendsetter. I am not about a trend that doesn’t work for my body type, and the same way I wouldn’t put a client in a trend that doesn’t work for their body type. It’s important to have a good fit — a tailor is your best friend. Make sure your fit is perfect on everything, that’s key. And that’s probably the best advice I could give, to anyone. Make sure that the fit is perfect for your body.
Gregg: I agree with that. Even the cheapest garment, if you cut it right, can look amazing. I have more self-philosophies for myself than I do for other people. I just say, have fun with fashion. My philosophy is, it costs a lot of money — just like Dolly Parton said — to look this cheap. I would go more with that route for myself, but who am I to tell somebody what they need to do? Do anything you want. I think we have great taste and we have a lot of fun shopping for others. I think that if people just embrace shopping and have fun with it … well they’ll probably put us out of business. I retract that! Don’t have that much fun, and hire us for everything you’ve ever needed. We’ll make you look amazing.
