Fashion

– Best of the past –

IN THE CLOSET OF WINONAH DE JONG

For a while now, I have been following Winonah de Jong on Instagram (@winonahdejong) where she quickly gathered 28k followers. Not surprising because Winonah has a wardrobe that you vous would say yes to and a taste level of a professional stylist. The joy was immense when she welcomed me into her walk in paradise.

It takes a while for the taxi to find casa De Jong. It is hidden in the Milanese hills, but of course, all the villagers know dear Nigel and happily point us in the right direction. Inside, there is a wonderful calm. I see the hand of Eric Kuster in the interior. The house is richly decorated with white orchids, fashion books, and Jo Malone scented candles burning everywhere. Delightful.

Winonah greets us in a too cool Isabel Marant dress. From the latest collection. On her pink UGG slippers (“I keep the floor tidy at home”) she takes me to the dream of every woman who loves fashion. Hermès boxes, Louboutin shoes, and at least ten Chanel jackets. Luckily, Winonah brings me back to earth with her Dutch down-to-earthness. “Those Louboutins, I’m done with them. They are beautiful, really, but they just don’t fit well. Impossible. That should be said sometimes.” Winonah, you are my kind of girl. My Loubies are stunning but they hurt. Hurt.

Winonah is more in love with her Isabel Marant boots. She has the high version (smooth leather at the back and suede at the front) and just ordered the high sneaker with pony hair from net-a-porter.com (where she maintains an intense relationship). “I really love the style of Isabel Marant. Beautiful items, I love that, but I am also a mother. So I need to be able to move and I also like it when it’s not too styled. It doesn’t all have to match, I find that so uncreative.”

“Those LOUBOUTINS, I’m done with them. They are beautiful, really, but they just don’t feel GOOD”

“My ideal kijk is a leather legging, I’m a fan of J.Brand, I know my size and just buy them online, a simple t-shirt, it can really just be from Zara or H&M, and a nice cardigan, beautiful funfur-jacket or possibly a Chanel jacket. A small bag with it, nice boots underneath and done.”

When it comes to shoes, Giuseppe Zanotti is also a beloved designer. “They are cool, tough, and elegant at the same time and they fit well. I can wear them just fine when I go to the playground with the kids and that’s important to me.” One of her most cherished pairs is designed by Kanye West for Giuseppe Zanotti. “I’m considering making a display case for these shoes. Then they can show off in there when I’m not wearing them anymore. They are too beautiful to just stay in the closet. I really consider it a museum piece.”

“It doesn’t all have to MATCH PERFECTLY, I find that so uncreative.”

Winonah loves bags. And the lady’s got taste. Besides quite a few Hermès bags (“you just have to have them if you love fashion. And if you can afford it, of course, because I am aware that it’s special that I can buy all this.”) many Chanel bags smile at me. And, you know, that’s my weak spot. Her third favorite bagsbrand is Victoria Beckham. “I think it’s so impressive how she has developed. She is now a fashion designer who is really taken seriously.” Furthermore, Winonah has many cute evening bags from Charlotte Olympia (especially the one in the shape of a Chanel No. 5 bottle is too funny) and Christian Louboutin. “This specimen with studs is always mistaken for a weapon at customs. When I explain that it’s a hip evening bag, the customs officers usually have a good laugh and I can just go through.”

Sweaters

Three high rows of stacks of sweaters are neatly piled in her walk in. “Nice and easy, especially on the weekend.” “I like to have my closet neatly organized. I have always been quite ‘tidy’ but with such beautiful items, I think it shows respect to handle them neatly. When the kids are at school, I go and organize everything a bit. I fold some, run a swiffer over it, and done. Isn’t it lovely to look at such a styled closet?”

“When the kids are at school, I go and organize everything a bit. I fold some, run a SWIFFER over it, and done”

Red Carpet Style

“I love feminine, Nigel does too. For example, he really doesn’t want me to get too thin. He likes a bit of meat on the hips, but that aside. Now that I look at my collection, I think I have quite a few suits. Super feminine that I combine with sexy heels and a nice bag. The downside of that evening wear is that you can really only wear it once. So sad that all those precious pieces just hang here in the closet. I think I’m going to organize a vintage sale so they can get a second life.” We can only shout one thing; Go Winonah. Go! Amayzine.com is on board.

Winonah loves

  • J. Brand leather skinny’s
  • Anything Isabel Marant
  • Jo Malone scented candles
  • Le Parfum by Elie Saab
  • Chanel, Hermes, VB bags
  • Calvé peanut butter (“thankfully also available here in Italy in the supermarket”)

  1. Sandals, € 1200 (Giuseppe Zanotti x Kanye West)
  2. Leather leggings, € 1075 (J. Brand via net-a-porter)
  3. Sneakers with pony skin, € 465 (Isabel Marant via Matchesfashion)
  4. T-shirt, € 7.95 (H&M)
  5. Sweater, € 480 (Isabel Marant via Matchesfashion)
  6. Leather “Liberty Bag”, € 995 (Victoria Beckham)
  7. Rose gold bracelet, € 1600 (Hermès) 
  8. Tulle skirt, € 272 (Alice and Olivia)
  9. “Walk of Fame” bag, € 820 (Charlotte Olympia)