Australian brands, Minimalism and Pope Francis
Fashion always seems to weave its way into my mind no matter the event. I just saw pictures of Pope Francis’ modest apartment and I cannot stop thinking that it looks like a collaboration with The Row. The bare linen bedspread, cream walls, antique rug, dark wood, and tattered burgundy velvet chairs are screaming quiet luxury. When I saw pictures of his funeral I was gasping at the impeccable drape and committed minimalism of the Cardinal’s cassocks. I know their clothing is supposed to bring a formality to the services but between the tassel belts and pendant necklaces I felt like I was previewing Juju Vera’s trunk show on Moda Operandi.
I recently read an article about the the Pope's socks (the are 100% SILK!) and found their website. It is a family run tailor in Rome and they have been dressing the Pope since 1798. I spent more minutes than I would like to admit pondering a color choice for a tassel belt in their online shop.
These days nothing haunts me more than Samantha from easy loan solutions, the Karen Read retrial, tassels, and leather corded pendant necklaces. I was watching the live cross examination of a key witness yesterday on Court TV and she was wearing a leather corded necklace. Art imitates life.
I bought this leather corded necklace last summer in Montauk and added my Van Cleef zodiac charm to it and I have not stopped wearing it. It just feels fresh with any outfit and perfect for warmer weather.
It has been three months since I was hit by a car (my first substack here) while walking my dog in downtown Manhattan. I am not sure if the universe was trying to tell me something, but it was the day after Trump’s inauguration and clearly the fashion Gods were warning me about the tariffs.
I wore a shoe on my right foot yesterday for the first time since January and all I could think of was Gloria Estefan’s comeback performance here! at the 1991 American Music Awards. I have such a core memory of her singing “Coming out of the Dark” after her tour bus accident. If you have not listened to Gloria Estefan in a while THIS IS YOUR SIGN to find her greatest hits playlist on Spotify. The rhythm is going to get you.
I was only ten years old at the time of her accident but I loved human interest stories and would watch 60 minutes on Sundays, 20/20 after TGIF and all the Dateline. I remember getting in trouble with my parents when People magazine arrived at our house after I checked a box for a subscription on the Publishers Clearing House envelope. I was convinced Ed McMahon was going to show up with a check and unlimited magazines.
I think my love for magazines and coffee table books is why I love Substack so much. It is the perfect mix of imagery and content. My instagram account is filled with advertisements, most newspaper headlines are scary, and substack makes me feel good. Plus, I love scouring the web for fashion and just talking about clothes in general.
Some of my favorite Aussie brands emailed me this week to say that orders going to the United States will have extra charges because the tariffs (SOS), so I spent most of last night scrolling the internet looking at models in breezy linen dresses standing against rugged coastlines. Every summer I surrender to my trusted uniform of linen separates, one piece bathing suits and flat leather sandals. I don’t know what it is with Australian brands but they just get me. Oversized shirts, linen shorts, wide leg pants and organic shaped jewelry is all I want to wear this summer. I think I may be part Australian. I had pavlova last night and started saying “lift” instead of elevator and its giving Hilaria. It is reminding me of Madonna’s British accent when she was married to Guy Ritchie. I still think about the Vogue story when she was feeding her hens at her British country house in 2005. What a time.
In honor of my newly adopted Australian heritage, here are some of my favorite Aussie brands that capture the perfect blend of beachy minimalism.
Bondi Born - Beautiful linen pieces and ELITE bathing suits.
I know it seems crazy to wear a white bathing suit but I promise this one is chicccc
Matteau - they make the most beautiful easy dresses, knits and swimwear
Matteau short sleeve button down
A. Emery Shoes - I love almost everything they make and the price is RIGHT.
everyone has a flip flop this year - this brown is good
snake is a neutral and would be 3X price at Khaite
Dissh - I have recommended a lot of their short sets. The shorts run TTS but the button down shirts are oversized so SIZE DOWN
Dinosaur Designs - I found out about this brand when I purchased their bowls for a hostess gift in the summer. They make the most beautiful resin pieces and gorgeous jewelry.
Anna Rossi
a choker that everyone at the table may not have on
Sarah & Sebastian
AGMES NYC - she’s about as Australian as I am - but I found her on the St. Agni website so i’m including her in this newsletter!!
Naurrrrr! So many good Aussie links - I need that Diish set!
And the Pope's scalloped blue velvet chairs