CELEBRITY CLOSETS

Kelly Killoren Bensimon

IN THIS FEATURE: Meet Kelly Fashion Focus Details

Pick your favorite pieces.

KKBS: A BLACK AZZEDINE ALAIA SKIRT WITH A CORSET IN THE BACK AND OVER A THOUSAND PLEATS.
REPETTO BALLERINA SHOES. I’VE BEEN WEARING THEM SINCE I WAS TWENTY. MY FIRST PAIR WAS BLACK PATENT. I REMEMBER THIS FRENCH STYLIST SAYING TO ME, “WHY DO YOU LIKE THE PATENT? THEY ARE SO FANCY WITH YOUR JEANS.” I SAID I JUST LOVE SHINY WITH JEANS. AND I WOULD WEAR THEM WITH A TANK TOP AND AN OLD GRANDPA GRAY SWEATER.
MASSARO, CHANEL’S OFFICIAL COBBLER, MADE ME TWO PAIRS OF SHOES. JACKIE O SLING BACKS AND WHITE LACE HALF BOOTS. THEY ARE INSANE.

Biggest fashion faux pas?

KKBS: I THOUGHT YOU HAD TO BE MONOCHROMATIC. SO I PAIRED THESE BLUE STALLION-RIDING PANTS WITH A BLUE CASHMERE SWEATER AND TOP. I LOOKED SO YUMMY. BUT THEN I SAW MYSELF IN AN ESCALATOR. I THOUGHT, “OH MY GOD, THE BLUEBERRY IS ME!”

Worst fashion purchase?

KKBS: MY ORANGE CROCODILE MANOLO BLAHNIKS. NOT BAD, BUT FINANCIALLY BAD. I WEAR THEM A LOT BUT THEY COST THOUSANDS!

Best fashion purchase?

KKBS: BIRKIN BAGS IN EVERY COLOR. I WEAR MY RED ONE THE MOST. IT IS THE ULTIMATE SHOPPING BAG. I’VE HAD EVERYTHING IN THERE FROM BAGELS, DIFFERENT PENS, MY DATE BOOK, WHICH IS ACTUALLY A JOURNAL WITH PICTURES OF ALL MY KIDS, MY IPOD, MAKE UP, A BOTTLE OF WATER, SOMETIMES A DIET COKE, EVEN A SANDWICH.

What item would you never get rid of and why?

KKBS: MY SWEATPANTS AND THIS RALPH LAUREN ARGYLE SWEATER. I ALWAYS WEAR IT WHEN I TRAVEL AND AT NIGHT.

They beat out Birkins and Manolos?

KKBS: OH YEAH. THE THING IS THE COMFORT CLOTHES. THEY CAN’T BE REPLACED. BUT THE OTHER THINGS ARE FUN, FRIVOLOUS, SEXY. BUT SWEATPANTS WILL ALWAYS BE THERE. THEY WILL WITHSTAND COLOR AND TIME.

Choose three designers to revamp your whole wardrobe.

KKBS: DEREK LAMB FOR STREET URBAN SEXY EDGE. ZAC POSEN, FOR SOPHISTICATED AND PLAYFUL. AZZEDINE ALAIA WOULD JUST MAKE ME LOOK HOT.