My Favorite Things: Rachel Dooley
For this installment of Favorite Things – and the next few to come – we decided to reach out to the designers who the CFDA calls “the next generation of fashion designers in New York City” – the CFDA Incubators. First up is Rachel Dooley, a talented and creative designer whose brand GEMMA REDUX has already garnered major attention. A mix of industrial materials and roughly cut stones, the GEMMA REDUX pieces are complex and well-thought out – which makes sense given Dooley’s background as a serious student. The former law school student made her first mixed metal piece while taking a study break, but soon after found herself in the pages of Harpers Bazaar, WWD, Cosmopolitan and Glamour. Now, her designs have become mainstays in the pages of most weekly magazines and a favorite of a TV hit that many people (including us) tune into primarily for the fashion – Gossip Girl. Of her line, she says, “Intentionally tough and complex designs made for the tough and complex girl – the GEMMA REDUX girl.” Here, her favorite things.
Item I own that gets better with age: My Domestic Holding No. 1 bag.
Best vintage buy on eBay: Bright red vintage Halston one shoulder dress.
Place I love to visit that’s rich in history: Naples, my NYC away from home.
My secret to looking timeless: Sunscreen.
Most powerful photo I’ve ever seen: A photo of my mom at 19, on a reservation in South Dakota, wielding a pistol (not loaded). It’s where she met my dad. It’s my ultimate “live life” image.
Best souvenir I’m glad I brought back home: The Tanzanite stone my husband bought for me on our honeymoon.
Favorite vintage fashion trend: Plaid wool coats.
What’s in my purse: Chapstick, studio keys, iphone, WWD, the piece of jewelry I wore last night.
Smell that makes me feel most nostalgic: Chlorine! I was a serious swimmer as a kid.
What I’m currently coveting: Rick Owens leather jacket. It’s been an obsession for years, but I’m this close to pulling the trigger.
Best advice I’ve ever received: The worst regret is inaction due to fear ~ live life fearlessly.
Music that always takes me back: Paul Simon Concert in the Park.
Film that I can watch over and over again: Planet Earth (which is kind of a film). I’m obsessed.
Favorite family recipe: Buckeyes (chocolate covered peanut butter balls). My fam is from Ohio.
Tastiest mom-and-pop shop that’s been feeding me for years: Arturos, my favorite NYC family spot.
Blog I’m currently addicted to: Too many, I’m just generally obsessed w Tumblr.
I couldn’t live without: Experimenting.
Words to dress by: Dress to feel good.