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Barbara Flood

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occupation: interior decorator and personal stylist

“Nothing is in, and nothing is out. It’s about what really looks good on you and how you feel in it.” Barbara Flood

Collecting started at ten years old when Barbara’s mom bought her all new dresses each time they went on a holiday. Since then it’s been all form over function for her. It would be unlikely to see Barbara, even walking in a snow storm, without a plumed top hat (of some variation) and a one-of-a-kind and the “bigger the better” estate or costume ring, bracelet, pin, and earring, and some kind of collectors handbag. She is possessed by art, both to wear and decorate with. A standout for me is the Eisenberg 1940’s oversized broach, it is masterful in its timeless coolness. I could see it worn in so many ways, including on ripped-up jeans, even though Barbara wouldn’t be caught dead in them. She admits to only one weekend a year at the beach (what would she take off?) and packing almost her entire wardrobe for any trip. She loves new designers and scours the world looking for them (this is evident in her chock-full-of every culture and time period Manhattan apartment). Barbara’s decor and style includes emerging artists like Katie Daniels and David Mandel, whom she prides herself on supporting. As a muse and model for the iconic Rudi Gernreich, alongside other legendary beauties such as Peggy Moffitt and Leon Bing, Barbara’s spirit for the extraordinary in life resounds.

If you like Barbara, you might also enjoy Patricia Fox or Felicia Rosshandler.


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Erika von Petrin

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occupation: vintage clothing and accessories buyer and dealer

“[I'm inspired by] C. Jere brass, Brutalist lighting, La Belle Epoque, Art Deco-era opera coats, skin, fur, feathers, Sandor Marai, Yves Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, Margiela, the Industrial Revolution, architectural ruins, the Bloomsbury Group, old school hip-hop, Dolly Parton, and really expensive hosiery.” Erika Von Petrin

Erika had me when she said so humbly about her staggeringly enchanting vintage collection, “alittle bit of glamour in a pedestrian life.” She is so on point, genuinely knowledgeable and contemporary while authentic. When Erika goes searching for the current trendy spikey jewelry on Ebay, she ends up with ancient Indian bracelets, unlike anything you have seen. A sensualist to the bone, she collects loads of Miriam Haskell jewelry (the best!), wraps herself casually in an almost edible 70’s bronze dress and in keeping with her uncommonly good taste, wears it with one of her cherished Margiela boots, the black ones with the painted pink toe. Ballet Russe comes to mind, in the rich colors and textures of her coveted multi colored sweater dress, 40’s slavic fez and worthy of worship fur sleeved outer-wear number. Fringe, feathers, opera and cocoon coats, enameled and gilded bags, Erika sniffs out the “gloriously beautiful.” Like an exquisite hand-made piece of porcelain behind glass in a museum, Erika wears only one of a kind and she is one of a kind the way she wears them.

To learn more about Erika, click on the detailed captions page.

If you like Erika, you might also enjoy Ellen Fisher or Tziporah Salamon


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