Mays Modecollege

Harriet Calo

Who can succeed Coco Chanel in the category of stylish and classy? Not difficult, a selection from my own environment: my magazine mom Harriet Calo. By far the best dressed and most original woman I know.
Harriet Calo is the ‘eminence grise’ (but actually ‘rosé’) of the magazine world. From Avenue via Cosmopolitan, through Marie Claire to La Vie en Rose. With her signature red curls and her own style, she is the person to look at (and listen to) when you’re not sure about taste. Her lessons:

If they don’t quite understand it, you’ve done well

Fashion renews, peeks, and colors outside the lines. You seek it outside your comfort zone, and then it can happen that people who are just a little less advanced and informed don’t quite get it. That’s the biggest compliment.

You don’t dress for the masses, after all

A dress needs a lot to become fashion. Dresses are fun, don’t get me wrong, but they can also be a bit frumpy. You need a lot to give that original image. A big earring, striking shoes (no pumps s’il vous plaît), a punky cuff.

Make sure you can move forward

Which doesn’t mean that heels are not allowed, but you need to be able to move in them. If you can’t walk in your heels, they do nothing for you. Sandals are super sexy. Because toes, a bare foot, and you move so gracefully in them.

Put on the pants

Even to a gala. Just do it. Well, a festive pair of pants, that’s for sure. But if everyone is going for that dress, you’ll stand out in that suit.

Invest in your hair

That stands out much more than that new dress. Go to the hairdresser. And often a little.

Step out of your comfort zone

Especially in the sales. Buy things you normally wouldn’t buy.

Allow yourself a style transition

You remain the same but your look meanders along. Every job, city, love calls for a different look. Move along.

Choose beautiful materials

For me, it’s important that it feels nice, I love beautiful materials. They feel good, but they also look better.

Classic and tough

I prefer jewels over jewelry, so I invest in that. I find it very beautiful to combine heirlooms like a beautiful cameo ring with a tough band from Hermès around your wrist.

Naked is not sexy

And don’t try too hard to be sexy, because sexy is simply not elegant.

Prohibit him this

Your beloved may really only wear shorts if he has divine calves. Or wears socks from Marni. But otherwise...

Then something else...

If you can afford it... DO NOT wear a bra. That’s sexy as sexy should be.

Don’t take it too seriously

Fashion is mainly fun.