WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE :: KELLY WEARSTLER KELLY WEARSTLER :: WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE Sartorial Splendor Haute-lister Kelly Wearstler sounds off on her interior design empire, her literary endeavors and expanding into the world of fashion.

by RACHEL MORGAN

Kelly Wearstler knows a thing or two about great style. work, a mix of prints, structured jackets and classic style. Five Minutes with Kelly The American designer began her career in interiors, as “The collection has an effortless California vibe,” Wearstler the creative force behind the redesigns of high-end resorts said. “The pieces are feminine, but with an edge.” Last book you read? and hotels across the country. Perhaps most notable of Joining the collection in Winter 2011 were clutches and The BFG by Roald Dahl those projects was her chic facelift of the iconic 1940s-era jewelry, in addition to the ready-to-wear items. Avalon Hotel in Beverly Hills. This project was significant “I’ve loved working with stones and metals in my Last piece you bought for your own home? in her life for other reasons– she completed the project interior projects,” she said of her newly launched An amazing piece of art from a gallery in Miami under hotelier Brad Korzen, who would later become her accessories line. “Translating that into my accessories husband. Other hotel projects by Wearstler include the collection was a really fluid process for me.” Your go-to shoes? Viceroy Hotels and Resorts. The Spring 2012 line takes on a mod-glam identity, Pierre Hardy But Wearstler’s impressive list of design credentials making use of the mixing patterns trend for this season. doesn’t end there. In 2008, she was a judge on Bravo’s hit Kelly Wearstler is carried exclusively at Bergdorf Goodman, Go-to drink? show Top Design, and the lithe beauty has penned three Neiman Marcus, Holt Renfrew, Net-A-Porter and the Kelly Freshly squeezed organic beet, carrot, spinach, design books, Domicilium Decoratus, Modern Glamour and Wearstler Boutique on Melrose. green apple ginger-lemon E-3 live juice Hue. Another book with Rizzoli is currently in the works, For Wearstler, the jump to fashion was a natural one. set for release in October. “I’ve always loved fashion,” she said. “It’s been a major Idea of a perfect day? Wearstler also released a line of bespoke home goods source of inspiration for me. It felt like a natural evolution A day at our beach house in Malibu with my family for iconic department store Bergdorf Goodman, Kwid bed to create a ready-to-wear and jewelry line.” sheets for Sferra, rugs for The Rug Company, fine china for As far as what’s next for this fashion forward designer? Favorite room in your house? Pickard China and wall treatments for F. Schumacher & Co. Wearstler is currently working on several residential My closet! “Everything I come in contact with can inspire me,” projects, one of which is a large-scale project in the Middle Wearstler said of her design process. “Color, a recent trip, East. In addition to putting the finishing touches on her a work of art, a cool design book, Mother Nature. You book, Wearstler is like any other working mother, trying to can find inspiration everywhere if you are aware of your balance it all. surroundings.” “I love being a mother, and I love my work,” she said. With the help of that inspiration, last spring, Wearstler “While my schedule is incredibly demanding, the key is to embarked upon her most exciting sartorial journey yet, her stay focused and organized. I make sure I am home by 6:30 eponymous fashion line, Kelly Wearstler, which she calls p.m. each night.” “an extension of her interiors.” An established interior design and fashion icon, a The Fall 2011 Kelly Wearstler collection played upon the budding author and a mother and wife, home by 6 p.m. patterns and design aesthetic of Wearstler’s interior design each night? We’re impressed.

52 HAUTE LIVING HAUTE LIVING 53