Fashion Diaries.
A little about me and my start in fashion. And of course some outfits.
Friends - Like a lot of other creators on this platform, I have spent some time figuring out how I want this page to evolve. What content is “good enough” to share and make you all feel like this is worth your time and money. Before I go further - thank you to so many of you that took the time to send me a message about how much you love getting these emails and appreciate the work that goes into them. I feel seen! But seriously, thank you. Honestly those messages fuel me to keep raising the bar and working hard.
Now, back to the point of this note - content. Part of the reason this page makes so much sense to me is that I have spent nearly 26 years working in fashion (do the math ugh). My love was born from my grandmother - a seamstress who would also whip up the most magical pieces of clothing for me. See - my parents (and I) were immigrants to Canada. They fled a communist country with a 6 week old baby (me) and showed up in Montreal with a couple of suitcases and a lot of hope. My mom loved fashion but couldn’t afford to buy herself or I the clothing she wanted to in the beginning. My grandmother would go to the stores, study them and go home and whip up something identical. She even made my figure skating dresses - embellishments and all. I spent countless hours in Fabricland, a fabric store chain in Canada, walking through the aisles and feeling the huge rolls of fabric. I would sit by her feet as she whirred away on her sewing machine for hours, would have ladies in the neighborhood come in to be “fitted” as she worked on their frocks. In hindsight, it was really the most special time with her and also formative to who I would become. It also is, at the core, what fashion is all about and truly why I love writing this: a love of fashion has nothing to do with money or how much something costs.
Fast forward 20 years and my career in fashion in NYC was in full swing. I moved from Toronto to New York when I was 23 and never looked back. There are so many stories - amazing ones - that one day I will share (if you are interested), because it was truly the heyday of fashion during those early 2000’s. From meetings with Anna Wintour to bringing clothes to J. Lo’s house on Long Island not long after she had her twins and witnessing what a beautiful and hands-on mom she was with her newborns. There are countless stories built up over more than two decades of “work”.
On Monday, we go to Austin to see if we will win iHeart Radios award for best fashion + beauty podcast. If we do win, it is in no small part to you guys who listen to us weekly. It validates so much of how my career has shifted over the last few years - and makes me so proud of this amazing community we have here. Now what was the point of this post - I guess it’s to ask YOU how you want to see it continue to evolve. Yes, posts are work - especially ones with a lot of “product” but are you interested in a bit more personal posts as well? I am open to starting from the very beginning as “extra” entries if you are so inclined. But I also don’t want to seem self-indulgent. Fashion is a part of me, not something I am trying to be. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, your honest feedback and as always - for supporting me. I sound like a damn broken record, but man I feel so lucky to be able to sit at my counter writing this as my job now. So THANK YOU.
Now - I can’t send out a post and not still actually TALK fashion lol. So here are a few looks from this week that were stand outs. And of course, some budget-friendly options.
The outfit above is made special with because of the gold pants. Mine are The Great but sold out everywhere. I found a few identical options and will say this - we all need a gold pair of pants. This pair is literally almost the same and less expensive. I also like this pair - it’s sequins, not lamé but it’s fabulous. For a white button down shirt, I’m wearing one of the Sold Out NYC ones - if you don’t own one, you are missing out. They are the best button downs I have ever felt. They are sold out (an apt name for the brand) but get on the pre-order bus because you will not regret it. EMESE15 saves you money too, so don’t sit on it. I have it in white and navy now and can’t stop buying them.
I wrote about this the other week, but picked up this belt this week. It is so good guys. Here are some other equally fabulous options like this one and I love this one for a dress, it’s just different and so chic. And then this Toteme one I love the way it double wraps.
I have a Jenni Kayne problem. I know this. But I always grab one of her sweaters when I’m in a pinch and I always end up loving my outfit because of it. It’s that simple. Here are all my favorites - and EMESE15 saves you here too - thankfully some of these brands appreciate my love for them and know that I talk about them a lot so they generously allow me to have codes for you all. And I’m telling you, black aviators look great on everyone and these may become your must have shades of the season. I have a thing for Closed Denim. They are the softest most comfortable jeans that still look flattering. I also love that I can wear a size 26 in them (I’m normally a 27/28 depending on the cut). Here is a round-up of my favorite ones from them.
Ok, that’s all for this gloomy Saturday morning. May you all have a wonderful weekend. If you’re traveling for Spring Break, good luck and enjoy your well deserved holiday. And if you’re home like I am, rest and rejuvenate! Wish us luck for Monday - I’ll be sure to share plenty during my travels, so follow along on my Instagram @emesegormley if you don’t already :) Love to all of you! xx Emese
Your grandma’s sewing resonates with me. My grandma was a fantastic seamstress and would match things just as you describe. One year for Christmas, my cousin wanted a Marquette University basketball warmup suit. He is now 59 and this was before you could buy anything you want on the internet. My cousin gave her a picture and of course she made him a warmup suit that was exactly like what the team wore. To this day, it is one of his most treasured possessions. How I wish I would have learned to sew. Thank you for reminding me of if my grandma this morning.
Even love the linen dress with Prada belt- link?