Have you always worked in fashion?

I started in the Neiman Marcus buying office which eventually led to my current role as Fashion Director of Net-a-Porter.

Did you have any early influences that sparked your interest in clothes?

My 7^th grade science teacher never wore the same outfit twice. That’s always stuck in my head and has encouraged me to dress differently every day.

What do you read to begin your day?

I read The Economist and The Cut for daily updates and love flicking through UK or Australian ELLE Décor. However, I am obsessed with Assouline books at the moment, especially the Chanel leather-bound set by Francois Baudot & Francois Aveline!

Favorite shops to browse?

I love browsing unusual antique & interiors shops – my favorites include Flair in Florence, BDDW & John Derian in New York, and Alfies Antique Market in Marylebone. For a sweet indulgence I love Todos Santos Chocolates & Confections in Santa Fe, New Mexico…it’s heavenly.

Do you collect any particular antiques?

I started picking up sculptures of hands on my travels,  I now have quite a selection from across the globe– there are so many different styles. They’re really interesting and unusual interior decorations, not to mention a great conversation topic!

Most visually inspiring place?

Big Sur in California, it’s endlessly breathtaking to see nature at its purest.

What do you always have on hand when traveling?

A good pair of sunglasses is vital for long travel days; I like Thierry Lasry’s cat-eye frame glasses.

Do you use shoe trees?

Saint Crispin’s hand-made trees are the ultimate travel friendly shoe trees because they’re hollow and super light.

Cherish any particular heirloom pieces?

A vintage white fur coat that my mother gave to me, and a certain sequin dress from One Vintage.

If you had a uniform, what would it be?

A pair of Isabel Marant wedge trainers, boxy tweeds and slouchy silk collarless shirts from Theysken’s Theory, and Hawaiian print pants from Stella. I find that adding a pop of color to any outfit peps me up ready for anything – at the moment I’m finding that in neon separates.

Signature drink?

The Bowery Hotel in NY makes a killer margarita.

Most stylish movie(s)?

Some of my favorites include Scorsese’s Casino and Blow Up by Antonini. I’m also super excited about the forthcoming Gatsby film.

Guilty pleasure you never feel guilty about?

Fine jewelry and massages:  an incredible pair of earrings or a statement ring can instantly uplift a look, and massages are necessary for my fast-paced life.

I’m excited to work on another book, especially since the process and final result of the first one was so rewarding. The book signings were exhausting, but they were also a great opportunity to meet so many of my readers. I look forward to doing the whole thing all over again and making it even better this time!

With a long project like this, I think Twitter will be a great way to keep you guys updated so you can follow the process of creating a book, from the issues faced to the rewarding results.

I’m also working on a way for you to potentially contribute to the final result of The Sartorialist II, right now we’re just trying to figure out exactly what that process will be. Again, thank you for making the first book such a success, I can’t wait to complete the next.

Oh, P.S.– One of the things that I’ve been working on over the past several months has been saving some of my favorite images, instead of posting on the blog, as exclusives for the next book.  Since I’m addicted to sharing the best of what I find with you, it’s really killing me to save these images instead of posting them on the blog, but I think it will make the book that much stronger!

“A great deal of what is generally classified as photojournalism is in fact not reportage but illustration — a matter of providing an appropriate (attractive, somber, diverting, dramatic, comical, lively, unobtrusive) image to fill the space.  The alacrity with which Cartier-Bresson could grasp the social sense of any circumstance and distill it into an image made him one of the most accomplished illustrators of the twentieth century.”

Henri Cartier-Bresson: The Modern Century

You’re a fashion role model and Internet style icon, what do you think others see in you that has inspired this?

I can only imagine it’s because I’m willing to ‘go there’ and take chances.  Getting dressed is really the only area in my life that I can say I am fearless; I’m terrified of so many things, yet am somehow not afraid to wear anything. For me, it’s always been rather innate. As a 5 year old I was specific about the way everything fit, even a t-shirt.

What do you find is the biggest challenge for guys who want to look good, but don’t know where to start?

Whenever it’s out of their comfort zone, guys need a blueprint– they have an event: what do I wear? They’re going to a black tie: what does that mean? They’re going to meet their in-laws: how do I impress? I think that overall guys are interested in acquiring a wardrobe based on problem solving; finding something cool that fits into their lives.

All the young bloggers geek out about double monk strap shoes and tailoring– very old school, traditional elements. Cool doesn’t necessarily mean avant-garde.

The thing that started it all was probably casual Friday; the thing that was supposed to be liberating fucked things up more than anything.

Are you now more aware of how you approach getting dressed every day?

I really don’t think about what I’m going to wear until I jump in the shower.  However, I feel that the stakes are higher each time I make a purchase or decision about what I’m going to wear, because there are several chances that it will be amplified.

I like to take risks and not everything I wear is going to be everyone’s cup of tea.  That also means I cart around gigantic overweight trunks, because I never know how I’m going to feel on a given morning.  Airport check-in desks are the bane of my existence, absolute hell.

Has the amplified attention affected your self-esteem? 

If anything, it’s made my self-esteem worse…  I am my own harshest critic.  As much as I love to wear something that’s a bit off, I’m terrified that I will be made fun of.  It’s a frightening conundrum.

I love clothes, but as the season approaches I always feel the need to add new things.  It’s natural because I have the opportunity to see more, which makes me want to buy more– a very expensive occupational hazard.

If I’m wearing something it’s nearly always because I bought it.  I’ve certainly accepted things a long the way, but I never feel obligated to wear them. I have to intrinsically love something in order to wear it. I’m grateful to be constantly surrounded by many of the things I love.

About a year ago, Scott and I were sitting at a small Trattoria in Florence. The place looked amazing– not only the simple and traditional decor, but also the irreproducible Italian atmosphere and overall elegance of the gentlemen.

“Doesn’t this place look like the best fashion story ever?” I asked Scott.

“Yes!” He said, “Real, cool, diverse– It’s like if all the best dressed guys I know got together for lunch….. We should just do that!   Get my favorite guys together in one room, it would be so much fun. These guys have so much in common and yet, for most of them, their paths never cross. Just imagine, someone like Gianluca, with his dreadlocks and modern-minimalist aesthetic sitting next to Lino, with his old-school Italian charm…. Mr. Kurino and Simone Righi discussing their first suit, Kanye and Terron talking about whatever it is those two super funny characters could dream up… I’m just guessing, but I bet these guys would really hit it off.   What a great way to forge new friendships.”

“Scott… You should do it!!!” the idea sounded fantastic to me.

And that’s what Scott did. I can tell you, I was so jealous not to be in Florence for The Inaugural Sartorialist Lunch. But, here are a few photographs and (at 4pm) a video to let you share the first of what we hope will become a biannual event that grows every year through a continually increasing diversity of style and deepening camaraderie between friends.

Hope you enjoy,

Garance & Scott

“Doesn’t this place look like the best fashion story ever?” I asked Scott.

“Yes!” He said, “Real, cool, diverse– It’s like if all the best dressed guys I know got together for lunch….. We should just do that!   Get my favorite guys together in one room, it would be so much fun. These guys have so much in common and yet, for most of them, their paths never cross. Just imagine, someone like Gianluca, with his dreadlocks and modern-minimalist aesthetic sitting next to Lino, with his old-school Italian charm…. Mr. Kurino and Simone Righi discussing their first suit, Kanye and Terron talking about whatever it is those two super funny characters could dream up… I’m just guessing, but I bet these guys would really hit it off.   What a great way to forge new friendships.”

“Scott… You should do it!!!” the idea sounded fantastic to me.

And that’s what Scott did. I can tell you, I was so jealous not to be in Florence for The Inaugural Sartorialist Lunch. But, here are a few photographs and a video to let you share the first of what we hope will become a biannual event that grows every year through a continually increasing diversity of style and deepening camaraderie between friends.

Hope you enjoy,

Garance & Scott

*We would like to thank Simone and Guido in Florence for their helping to make this event happen, it would not have been the same without you.