Most stylish New Yorkers: Claire Robinson
The host of Food Network Challenge and 5 Ingredient Fix models her best ladylike looks.
Fri Aug 12 2011
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Photograph: Ilenia Martini
Robinson looks effortlessly polished by pairing a Vince sheer top with DKNY wide-leg pants.
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Photograph: Ilenia Martini
"I picked this up at Cynthia Rowley (376 Bleecker St between Charles and Perry Sts; 212-242-3803, cynthiarowley.com) because I thought it was a fun piece to show a little bit of chef in my fashion," Robinson explains of her wishbone necklace.
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Photograph: Ilenia Martini
Robinson adorns each of her ring fingers with a cocktail bauble: The watermelon tourmaline ring belonged to Robinson's grandmother, while the gold lion ring with diamond eyes is "something I wear to bring a little Vegas spirit into play," she says.
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Photograph: Ilenia Martini
"I love great shoes, but prices are sky-high these days," marvels Robinson, who wears splurgeworthy Miu Miu booties. "I tend to go for shoes that are somewhat classic but still have a statement. And they absolutely must be comfortable---I refuse to suffer for shoes, so when I find a pair that meets all that criteria, they come home with me."
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Photograph: Ilenia Martini
A J.Crew skinny belt ties the look together.
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Photograph: Ilenia Martini
"I adore vintage dresses because I have a small waist and hips," notes Robinson, referring to this preloved number from now-closed Nashville boutique Venus and Mars. "Every once in a while, I find a vintage cut that fits like a glove."
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Photograph: Ilenia Martini
This vintage coat was also purchased from Venus and Mars. "I feel like I'm an extra in the film Breakfast at Tiffany's in this outfit," enthuses Robinson. "It makes me realize I finally have made my dream come true of moving to NYC and becoming the woman I wanted to be. It's a powerful outfit for me, and one that I feel sophisticated and sexy while wearing."
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Photograph: Ilenia Martini
"I wear these creamy shoes a lot because they are so comfortable, classically simple and go with so many things," admits Robinson of her Dusica Dusica heels.
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Photograph: Ilenia Martini
Whenever Robinson is in Denver shooting Food Network Challenge, she picks up a new hat from San Francisco label Goorin Bros. (goorin.com). "I just love hats and especially adore the lovely ladylike old-fashioned feel of this one," she muses.
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Photograph: Ilenia Martini
"My geek look!" exclaims Robinson of her 7 for All Mankind distressed jeans, and Elizabeth and James button-up shirt and blazer. "Geek is back, thank goodness!"
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Photograph: Ilenia Martini
Robinson stacks a Chanel watch over a silver bangle that belonged to her grandmother. "I love how muted the silver and gold are from the many years of wear by multiple generations," she notes.
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Photograph: Ilenia Martini
This trio of necklaces were all gifts from Robinson's family members: The white pearl strand and diamond pendant were 16th-birthday presents from Robinson's grandmother and father, respectively, while the gray pearl necklace was from her brother.
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Photograph: Ilenia Martini
Robinson describes these Billy Reid oxford wedges as being "super comfy with a little touch of girlishness to this boy's shoe. I fell in love as soon as I saw them because I remembered the oxfords of my youth."
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Photograph: Ilenia Martini
These stylish specs are from Japanese brand Legre (legre.com). Robinson puckers up with Dior Addict lipstick in 714. "I used to mix lipstick and gloss until my makeup-artist friend Jodie Boland introduced me to these Addict lipsticks," admits Robinson. "They are like both in one tube. I always keep a few colors stocked in my makeup kit."
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Photograph: Ilenia Martini
A vintage lace top from Venus and Mars is paired with Elise Overland leather pants for a rocker-chic vibe. "I live in this super-soft black pair through fall and winter," Robinson says of the latter garment. "I typically wear them with a white V-neck T-shirt and black-and-white Converse sneakers during the day, then change tops and shoes to head out at night."
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Photograph: Ilenia Martini
"I saw this ring while window-shopping, and it immediately drew me into the boutique," recalls Robinson of this tiger's-eye skull ring set from a defunct Denver shop. "It makes me think of my mama. She wears big rings and has such a cool, funky style. Also, she happens to have this really old carved-wood skull that actually used to freak me out a bit when I was young." OPI nail polish in Bubble Bath keeps her fingers looking demure.
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Photograph: Ilenia Martini
Robinson purchased this quilted Chanel bag at the brand's flagship store in Paris during a layover from Italy to New York. "I raced out of the airport to get macarons from Ladure (laduree.fr) on the Champs Elyses---yes, I absolutely would risk missing a flight for those delicious bites of heavenly sweetness," she proclaims. "It was in that Marie Antoinette indulgent moment that I decided I was going to treat myself to my first Chanel bag, which was a bit crazy because at the time, the exchange rate was just brutal. I was experiencing what I like to call drunk shopping, although I was drunk from Ladure macaron magic."
Claire Robinson, chef and TV personality (claire-robinson.com), Tribeca
Her personal style: "Mood driven."
Her inspirations: "I am still so inspired by the women I looked up to when I was a young girl. I remember watching the groups of beautiful Southern belles at ladies' luncheons my grandmother would take me to, and thinking I couldn't wait to be one of those women. I was in awe of them. My grandmother, Mama Neida, always had the best style in the room, and I studied her charisma. As a little girl, she would plop me next to her and we would catch up on my five-year-old days while she would dress for another fabulous evening she had planned. My mother has more of a bohemian style and exudes a free spirit. She has a body to die for—tall with long legs. She has always worn tons of silver bangles and bracelets—and I mean tons—and a lot of big rings, and has an artist's eye in her fashion choices. I think I have a bit of both of these women influencing my fashion sense. I also love the styles of Brigitte Bardot, Grace Kelly and Jane Fonda, but really, who doesn't?"
Favorite stores: "Billy Reid (54 Bond St between Bowery and Lafayette St; 212-598-9355, billyreid.com) for a little touch of my Southern home in NYC-worthy style. Dusica Dusica (67 Prince St at Crosby St; 212-966-9099, dusicadusica.com) makes the most incredible shoes. They are beautifully classic with just enough cool, but most amazing is how comfortable they are! Every once in a while, I treat myself to one of the great vintage accessories at Resurrection (217 Mott St between Prince and Spring Sts; 212-625-1374, resurrectionvintage.com). They are the ingredients in my wardrobe that really finish an outfit with a bit of my flavor."
Favorite salons: "I get my hair cut at Shig Kosuda Salon (141 E 55th St between Lexington and Third Aves; 212-759-2397, shigesalon.com), and I like Soho Sanctuary (119 Mercer St between Prince and Spring Sts, third floor; 212-334-5550, sohosanctuary.com) for a minute of retreat during hectic days."
Her signature accessories: "I often cook in cowboy boots or Converse [sneakers]. I also adore leather pants from Elise Overland (eliseoverland.com). I have them in five different leathers and some of them in doubles, just to be sure I have them on hand. They have just enough edge to make me feel cool, but still sexy."
How she describes New York style: "Personally public, meaning to each their own, ya know?"
How her style has evolved through the years: "I have become more of a woman in my style and less of a young girl. I no longer sport a college tee to run to the grocery store, no matter how soft it is. I like to feel like a woman when I dress and love having many different personalities in my style."
