Probably the most seminal moment in my fashion life after that was my first visit to London as a child in the ’80s. An image of the first punk rocker I ever saw is still vividly impressed into my memory. He was wearing all black: boots laced to the knees, torn jeans, and a studded belt. But the mohawk was the thing that really got me, and his gesture. He was sitting on the back of a lion statue in Trafalgar Square, brooding. And despite the sort of disheveled clothing, his hair was just immaculate. I never imagined there were people that cool in the world and as soon as I got home to Colorado from that trip, I cut holes in a bunch of my T-shirts and made my mom completely crazy. My love of that irreverence never went away.
— Anna Sheffield, Jewelry Designer
Margiela was the first brand I really coveted. I was in college and I couldn’t afford it. I loved everything, but I was dying for the split-toe boots, so I went to visit them every week and made sure my size was still available. They finally went on sale and by then the salesperson knew me and my obsession well. She put them on hold for me. Next, I went and created an advanced Hanukkah gifting pool. I made sure everybody in my family knew that cash was the preferred gift that year. I finally got them and wore them every day! They recently made a comeback, and whenever I see them in stores I always give them a knowing smirk.
— Yael Aflalo, Founder and CEO of Reformation
Donna Karan in the early ’90s. I was in high school during the rise of supermodels like Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, and Kate Moss, and the Club Kid culture appropriating high-fashion labels. I was drawn to everything that fashion in the ’90s represented. To me, it signified a cool, strong New York.
— Mara Hoffman, Fashion Designer