Most stylish New Yorkers: Caitlin Moe
The violinist infuses her gamine looks with a rock & roll edge.
Wed Feb 8 2012
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Photograph: Marielle Solan
"When I was ten years old, I told my mother I would never again wear a big, poufy dress and oversized bows; she must be gloating right now," says Moe, who embraces youthful girliness in this flouncy frock by Moschino (moschino.com). She says the luxe Italian brand is "one of my favorite designers to wear for performances because it's fun and flamboyant, yet sophisticated and wearable."
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Photograph: Marielle Solan
Moe swears that these sky-high H by Halston (bakersshoes.com/hbyhalston) patent-leather Mary Jane heels are super stable. "I tend to move a lot when I perform," she notes. "I've taken some deadly falls in heels before, so I always try to find a shoe with a bit of a platform to it to help me balance."
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Photograph: Marielle Solan
These Alice + Olivia (locations throughout the city; visit aliceandolivia.com) leather pants and cropped fur jacket from Stella Dallas nod at Moe's rock & roll influences.
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Photograph: Marielle Solan
"I'm obsessed with anything Americana," enthuses Moe. "But I decided it was time to give the Brits a little love with these Dr. Martens [boots]."
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Photograph: Marielle Solan
Moe borrowed this trio of long-strand pendant necklaces from her friend Cleo.
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Photograph: Marielle Solan
Although makeup artist Jen Myles (jenmyles.com) created Moe's look for this shoot, the violinist counts Chanel hydrating foundation, and MAC Ruby Woo and Lady Danger lipsticks among her essential cosmetics.
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Photograph: Marielle Solan
"Whenever I'm on tour, I try to get out and go vintage shopping," says Moe, who picked up this red leather skirt and long fur vest at thrift stores in Austin and San Francisco, respectively. The lace blouse was a gift from friend and frequent collaborator DJ Mia Moretti, who purchased it from Reformation.
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Photograph: Marielle Solan
Moe spotted these Michael Kors velvet platform wedges at the designer's store in Austin over the holidays and couldn't resist treating herself to a present.
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Photograph: Marielle Solan
"I call this my honey-badger ring," jokes Moe of her Pamela Love (pamelalovenyc.com) piece, which reminds her of the viral nature video. "They're really bears, but I get a kick out of looking at them and saying, 'Honey badger don't give a shit.' I had to buy one for my friend because every time I'd see her, she would try and take it from me."
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Photograph: Marielle Solan
When she's dealing with an all-black dress code, Moe wears this cropped corset from an Austin vintage store and Giorgio Armani floor-length skirt. "I've been playing in quartets, orchestras and ensembles since I was five years old, and the dress code was always all black," she recalls. "Even now when I play with other bands, the dress code is normally all black."
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Photograph: Marielle Solan
Moe discovered these velvet platform sandals at Tokio 7 (83 E 7th St between First and Second Aves; 212-353-8443, tokio7.net), which she calls "another great spot for thrift finds."
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Photograph: Marielle Solan
"I traveled to Iceland in November by myself because I'm so musically inspired by Sigur Rs and Bjrk, and I wanted to explore their homeland," says Moe. "While I was in Reykjavik, I came across this Peter Pan--collar dress at a vintage store."
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Photograph: Marielle Solan
Moe pairs these H by Halston nude platform pumps with American Apparel (locations throughout the city; visit americanapparel.net) tights.
Caitlin Moe, 24, violinist (caitlinmoe.com), East Village
Her personal style: "Mary Quant meets Jackie Kennedy."
Her inspirations: "The '60s and modern orchestra."
Favorite stores: "Stella Dallas (218 Thompson St between Bleecker and W 3rd Sts; 212-674-0447) is the place to go for a good, cheap fix. I have found so many great retro pieces and coats there. Duo (337 E 9th St between First and Second Aves; 212-777-7044, duonyc.com) is run by these two rad sisters from Minnesota who carry a mix of vintage items and local designers. I used to live half a block from them and stop by after my morning cup of coffee. Pixie Market (100 Stanton St between Ludlow and Orchard Sts; 212-253-0953, pixiemarket.com) is a great spot to grab a statement piece and really great accessories. Reformation (156 Ludlow St between Rivington and Stanton Sts; 646-448-4925, thereformation.com) has good, unique staples. And I just want absolutely everything at Opening Ceremony (33--35 Howard St between Broadway and Crosby St, 212-219-2688 * 1190--92 Broadway between 28th and 29th Sts, 646-695-5680 * openingceremony.us). It recently started carrying a bunch of Argentinian designers, and I'm obsessed—such colorful, vibrant garments. It's definitely my splurge spot."
Her signature accessory: "My yellow violin case. I'm always in the studio, at rehearsal or on my way to a show, so I literally have my violin with me at all times. It's basically become a staple piece in my wardrobe. And it's a fiber case, which is perfect for the touring musician."
Favorite local designers: "Brooklyn label Keller (kellerny.com) for clothes have that classic look and perfect feminine fit; [designer Kelly Clark] makes beautiful boots, too. And East Village jewelry designer Nishi (nishiny.com). I don't wear a ton of jewelry because it gets caught up in my violin, but that's why I love Nishi's pieces—they're simple and add the perfect something to an outfit."
Her New York style icon: "Patti Smith. I became particularly fascinated with imagining what New York City was like during the 1970s after reading her memoir Just Kids. There's something so timeless about her attitude and style that screams New York to me."
How her style has evolved: "Well, it all started out with mother-daughter matching dresses. Then came the all-black classical phase, the all-black rock phase, thrift-store looks...throw in a couple designer pieces, and a mix of it all is where I am now."
Favorite salons: "I get my hair cut by Marcos Diaz at Ion Studio (41 Wooster St between Broome and Grand Sts; 212-343-9060, ionstudionyc.com). He's the best. I use him for all of my shows and photo shoots. And I pop into Lulu's Nail (129 First Ave between St. Marks Pl and E 7th St, 212-982-5030) all the time for those ten-minute neck massages!"
How her career influences her style: "My job consists of me traveling and performing, so I'm fortunate to dress however I wish and feel that day. Fashion has always been a huge part of music, and I think they both influence each other. I've been really fortunate to work with different designers over the past couple of years; it's been both inspiring and fun to create [music] sets for the brands in a way that the clothing and music enhance one another."
