Lauren Parker, Editor Of Accessories Magazine

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By Sam Tortorici
February 22, 2011 @ 01:29 pm

We feel Lauren should be one of our "It" Girls, because she has contributed greatly to the world of fashion. Her experience, open-mindness, and dedication has made her into the successful woman she is today.

Lauren's Story:

In my private time I try to challenge myself artistically, taking classes at art studios. My latest endeavor: glass blowing at Scanlan Glass studio in Brooklyn! I did pretty well and it was very hard, but it was so empowering to know I can melt glass in a 2000-degree furnace and blow it into a vase! Whenever something seems too challenging, I always think, “but I can blow glass dammit!” Physically, I try to challenge myself outside the gym. I am not a spin class type of gal! I started road biking a few years ago, which culminated in a week-long biking/camping trip in Montana and Canada. We’re talking huge hills!!!! After all, isn’t the Spanish word for mountain “montana”???

I also like to dive into new cultures. I spent my honeymoon in Morocco (Marrakech and Fez), but not in the swanky large hotels that are cropping up, but rather a small “riad,” which is like a local luxury inn with just a few rooms. You literally have to walk down like 10 mud alleyways to find them—past kids kicking a soccer ball and the random chicken running around--but behind the huge doors is an amazing oasis designed by local artisans.I lived in Vienna for a year (in college so this was a while ago!) but it’s important to challenge yourself and step outside your comfort zone.

What Inspires You Everyday In Your Career?

I source the entire accessories market—top to bottom—hats, jewelry, watches, scarves, gloves, handbags, belts, legwear, shoes, even gift items. I am in touch with designers daily and love being surrounded by all that creativity—to get into the heads of designers and see what inspires them (whether an exotic trip or just an art show they saw recently).But it’s a challenge to sift through it all (I get hundreds and hundreds of pitches a week!) and have the eye to spot what’s new, what’s hot and what will turn on buyers to put into their stores! It’s exciting to know that I see everything first, and if I call out an early trend, the stores will buy into it and then customers buy it because they start seeing it.The other really exciting thing is creating the magazine each issue and the daily emailed newsletter. It’s like a puzzle—finding the right mix of stories and fashion elements each time.The final thing—and this is silly, but I think it’s really inspirational to be live and work in Manhattan and be part of the fashion media world where I see everything first, am on tons of invite/fashion show lists (and to be honest, get lots of goodies from designers), but I remain humble and grounded among it all. I never take my job for granted and always appreciate how far I’ve come as a writer and editor.

What Are Your Favorite It Girl Picks:

My sister runs a multi-line fashion rep showroom so I admit I shop there. I’m particularly partial to her lines Ronen Chen (from Israel) and g.r.dano (from San Francisco). Now I’m not just saying this because I’m the editor of Accessories magazine, but I truly believe fashion is all about amazing, conversation-starting accessories! I tend to update them much more than my apparel! I think it’s important to wear statement pieces—not necessarily the same one item each time, but to be known as the girl who always wears conversational pieces! I get inspiration from travel, and recently honeymooned in Morocco (Marrakech and Fez), luckily beating the throngs of women sure to flock there after the Sex and the City 2 movie! (sorry ladies, Aiden won’t be there!). Beauty products: phyto hair straightening balm; Of course I can’t do without Jewelry!! personalized, custom jewelry is hot now and no designer does it better than Heather Moore, who hand stamps each piece I just had a piece custom made to honor the birth of my son! My multi-strand Gillian Julius metal/leather bracelet gets compliments every single time I wear it. Beauty: Foundation primer is a must for minimizing pores before foundation settles into them. I love the one from Smashbox. Vibrating mascara seemed utterly ridiculous but I admit it does thicken without clumps!! Favorite spot: Any of these cool hotel rooftop bars with amazing views of our wonderful city! The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s roof is also amazing because you get art high above the canopy of trees!! I don't know where I would be without my Chan Luu straight black silk shirt. It has 13 tiers and I must've worn it 100 times, from a barefoot beach party to black tie events. Fashion is all about mixing and matching and making items work on your own terms.

Who Do You Consider An “It Girl”?

As a brand new mom, I’m incredibly inspired by working moms and how they balance it all. And my It girl would have to be Sarah Jessica Parker because she's a brainy hard-working mmom, came from very humble roots and seems to take her frame in stride. Plus, she's hosting a new art-themed reality show on Bravo, which would be a dream assignment for me having launched an art magazine years ago! But on a more intellectual level, I’d have to say Jhumpa Lahiri, who is the most amazing writer I’ve ever read (“The Namesake, Unaccustomed Earth) and she won a Pulitzer and is absolutely gorgeous too!

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