Muses have always been invoked to give that special spark. A force of inspiration we all crave. And to me, it seems to come in a form of a whisper, a subtle detail, a favorite design or through the arts. So as of late, I’ve been drawing from five specific muses who have played an invaluable part in my creative journey and brand vision. 

1. My grandmother has always been a source of inspiration for me. Although we never met, her story continues to inspire me. Everytime I look at her pictures, I see a strong, vivacious woman who loved her life as a professional flamenco dancer, as a mother and wife to my grandfather. Today I keep numerous photos of her around me to serve as a reminder to live life to the fullest. Life is precious.

2. Romantic films have been a consistent source of inspiration and enjoyment for me. A timeless favorite that comes to mind is Roman Holiday because of Audrey Hepburn, one of (mine) and Givenchy’s muses. Perhaps it’s the way she infused her contagious personality with his timeless designs or how the two worked fluidly together. Either way, I love the way they thought about fashion.

3. Vintage, vintage, vintage! Oh my. As you may already know, I’m a huge fan of investing in vintage! There’s such a beautiful, personal story behind each piece and the fact that it’s stood this long of time… says a lot. Every piece I fall in love with takes me back to another era; opens my eyes to see how designs have come full circle and continues to build on each other even today.

4. The Allure of Chanel. Someone recently gave me the book, “The Allure of Chanel,” a fantastic read. The book is comprised of a series of intimate conversations between Morand (the author) and Coco Chanel, written in a way that illustrates Chanel as an elusive, mysterious, charming person… with interesting friends! Knowing her back story (now) has given me so much more appreciation for the brand.

5. Classical music. The notes, the sounds, the way it creates an atmosphere and moves you (without words) brings me back to my ballet days (sigh). Listening to Claude Debussy’s beloved piano piece “Clair de lune,” for example, is always nostalgic. “The Hours” soundtrack is one of my favorites for writing and Chopin always makes me happy on a rainy day.

My heart is full as I reflect on these latest inspirations – my muses. The combination of romance, vintage and classics sparks a story of individuality and timelessness that I’m exploring and falling in love with again.

Xo, Stephanie

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Blouse: sold out, Johanna Ortiz – similar here and here

Pants: old, similar here and here

Earrings: Jennifer Behr, similar options below

Bag: (c/o) Zac by Zac Posen, similar options below

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[Shaye Babb Photography]