Netherland on 23rd Street

I have serious style envy like the next person who works at a magazine i.e. Emmanuelle, Vannessa Traina, Chloe Sevigny. I devour pictures and style.com slideshows and tack inspirational clippings above my desk and aim to create beautiful images. This is all well and good, but not quite central to my idea of a whole life spent in this field. Actually there are very few people in my industry whom i look up to or correllate with any serious personal ideas of success. Or that I really relate to. Everyone in fashion feels they have to embody and inhabit what they do**, and i've never wrapped my mind around that. That is, except for Sally Singer, over at Vogue.



I've probably read every interview with her--the woman has a serious academic background. And her husband? Joseph O'Neill, author of one of my favorite books, Netherland, a very thoughtful and restrained depiction of post 9-11 New York City. And also, a very thoughtful and restrained depiction of a failing marriage, so clearly, i feel like i know Ms. Singer very well (since i'm sure some of the character traits are based on reality).



And then there's her awesome home in the Chelsea Hotel, as photographed here by The Selby. A last remnant of a bomehemian ideal that doesn't really exist anymore.



I think she's a really great example of someone in fashion who clearly loves it, outrageously respects it, and has found a way to construct her life with it but not by it. Note that her shoes are amazing.



If you ever see me, ask me about her kids....

**This is especially salient if you've seen the 60 Minutes special on Anna Wintour and the Vogue offices that aired last week (watch it here). Or if you've happen to see an advanced copy of the September Issue. It's completely mind-numbing how removed from reality that enterprise is----and how cultivated image is completely, unironically supreme.