DESIGNER'S DOORWAY

Charlotte Ronson

IN THIS FEATURE: Meet Charlotte Fashion Focus Details

Do you have any style muses?

CR: BROOKE SHIELDS, WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG, NATURAL, SUN KISSED. SHE WAS ALWAYS IN THE JEANS, VINTAGE, WHITE, LACY INNOCENT BEAUTY. WHEN JAPAN ASKED ME WHAT TO NAME MY PARTY I THOUGHT OF “ENDLESS LOVE,” BUT THEY NAMED IT “ENDLESS SUMMER.”

ALSO CHRISSY FROM “THREE’S COMPANY.”

The TV show from the early Eighties?

CR: YES. I LOVED THEIR OUTFITS. CHRISSY ALWAYS HAD LITTLE SHORT SHORTS. COLORFUL SEVENTIES FUN. A LOT OF STRIPES, LEOTARDS.

You wear jeans often. Favorite brand?

CR: CHEAP MONDAYS

You mother Ann Dexter-Jones is a New York socialite with great style…. All those years on the town with your step father Mick Jones of Foreigner.

CR: MY MOM HAS AMAZING STYLE. SHE WAS ABLE TO PUT DIFFERENT PIECES TOGETHER. SHE WORE A LOT OF ALAIA, CHLOE BY KARL LAGERFELD. HER WEDDING DRESS (TO MY DAD) WAS ZANDRA RHODES. SHE WAS THE ONLY MOM WHO WORE LEATHER TO A SCHOOL FUNCTION.

How has your success in Japan influenced your wardrobe?

CR: TONGUE AND CHEEK. I WAS ALWAYS ATTRACTED TO THAT SENSIBILITY. I STILL COLLECT STICKERS. YOU CAN BE GROWN UP AND HAVE FUN. AND I USED TO WEAR COLORS. NOW I CAN WEAR BLACK IN A WAY THAT’S SMART, NOT JUST TO FUNERALS AND SYNAGOGUES.

Who are some designers you admire:

CR: JANE MAYLE. SHE’S REALLY TALENTED. EVERYTHING IS UNIQUE, LADYLIKE. WHEN I WAS IN LONDON AS A KID, I USED TO THRIFT SHOP IN KENSINGTON MARKET. WHEN YOU’RE A TWIN, IT’S IMPORTANT TO HAVE YOU OWN IDENTITY AND I COULD FIND IT THERE.

Speaking of your twin sis, Sam, she’s known as a tomboy with her cropped hair and flannel. Does she wear your stuff?

CR: WE’RE ACTUALLY DRESSING A LITTLE MORE SIMILAR NOW. SHE WOULD WEAR THE STRIPED HOODIE. OUR SHOES ARE DIFFERENT. SHE WEARS SNEAKERS AND I LOVE BOOTS, WEDGES. SHE’S NOW WEARING BALLET FLATS. WE BOTH LOVE VINTAGE DRESSES, MINI SKIRTS, SHORTS.