003: MICHELLE LU
lives in Moheda clogs, vintage scarves, and her 90s Marks & Spencer blazer.
Through Habiter I’d like to explore the way that “wardrobe staples” can mean different things to different people. We’ve all read the clickbait, “Closet Basics Everyone Should Own” or “Wardrobe Essentials to Buy Before You Turn 30” (in fact, I’ve probably authored a few of these at some point), but in reality there is no one-size-fits-all solution to building the best closet. Investing in timeless pieces is certainly a smart shopping strategy, but what will become timeless to you?
For example, the perfect blazer - which is often included on many of those lists, doesn’t have a place in my wardrobe. I just don’t look good in blazers. What I do wear all the time is a maxi skirt, but I wouldn’t recommend that everyone do the same. Exploring our own “essentials” is the key to building functional and unique personal style.
I am excited to have Michelle Lu on the newsletter this week because she has a truly individual way of dressing. Her essentials are personal and unexpected in the best way.
Michelle is the co-founder and CEO of Semaine, a media company that, each month, plunges into the universe of a different tastemaker. Semaine has explored career expertise, weekend routines, favorite restaurants, songs, and streaming picks from a range of names such as Claudia Schiffer, Dita Von Teese, Daniel Arsham, and Dr. Barbara Sturm. Though Semaine began as a digital-only platform, they recently launched a traditional print newspaper that is very charming (and heartening to see for a print-fan like myself).
Michelle and her style are clearly influenced by her global and meaningfully-connected life. I asked her to tell me a little more about it.
“In the image I'm in a set from my friend Eliana Gil Rodriguez. It's so cozy and perfect for home, but still looks super chic to wear out. I'm also wearing my trusty Moheda clogs that go with me everywhere.
I moved to Paris almost six years ago from London and have been in the 9th arrondissement for four years. I love the feeling of Paris, all of the cliché things that people say. It's a city but it really feels like a village. It still has a human feel, where you can be a part of a community in the small daily pleasures of everyday life. This, for me, is uniquely Parisian.
I'm inspired by everything and anything around me! I am American from Chinese and Korean roots. I grew up in Baltimore, moved to New York for University, and lived there for 6 years. I then lived in London for almost 7 years. This is a long-winded way of saying between my mixed roots, and living around the world and traveling extensively (I used to be the Creative Producer for Mario Testino), I have always felt a bit like an outside observer, so I am very sensitive when I see new things and particularly meet new people. I feel most energized and inspired in the presence of others and take all of my inspiration–whether it be for life, for work, or for style, from those around me. Encounters are the starting point to a journey of discovering something new and inspiring, and I feel very lucky to constantly be meeting new and incredibly inspiring people.
I am very minimal in my home and clothing style, so most of my clothes I wear all the time. They get very worn!”
MICHELLE’S MOST WORN:
My scarves from my grandmother, particularly a very old Hermes one that is of the flower market in Paris.
all vintage scarves, clockwise from top left: YSL, Hermes, Bulgari, Tiffany & Co, YSL, Pierre Cardin, Lanvin, Hermes Black penny loafers I got from a little shop in St Germain that are from no brand at all, but I love.
Editor’s note: For a true, classic penny loafer far from St Germain, my two favorites are at opposite sides of the price spectrum - Church’s, the heritage British shoemaker (that happens to be owned by Prada) at the high end and the quintessentially American G.H. Bass at the wallet-friendly.
Jeans wise, I have these jeans from Eve Denim that are called the Carolyn that I wear all the time. They're the best!
Editor’s note: The Carolyn jeans are sold out in every size in blue on the Eve website (though they do have them in black) so I did a little sleuthing on alternatives. Given the style and the name, I would guess that they’re inspired by this pair worn by Carolyn Besette-Kennedy (clearly a favorite of mine). For a more feminine shape with the carpenter-pant details, the closest I found were from Reformation and Nili Lotan. Current Elliot’s version is good too, but a bit baggier. That said, if it were me, I would go straight to the source and buy these at Dickies or Carhartt because the price is right and, despite the dad-bod connotations, they can be pretty flattering (especially with a tiny touch of tailoring). Eckhaus Latta’s jeans kind of work in this world as well. They’re high waisted and flattering but still with an industrial feel.
Cardigan and turtlenecks from Uniqlo for layering.
Editor’s note: Michelle wears them well below and, because the options are endless, you can shop them here.
My mix of Chinese jackets – my favorite is almost a dark red puffer style jacket, and a gold one with Chinese writing embroidered.
Editor’s note: I decided (at the very last minute - which is my trademark) to ask Michelle for a little more information on these. I’ll share it with you next week.
A 90's Marks & Spencer camel blazer I wear with everything
Leggings I get from a small Indian shop in Notting Hill
Editor’s note: I went the legging-as-pants route here, as opposed to athletic leggings. I think a heavyweight and matte fabric is important in this case so you don’t look like you’re going to the gym. Styling details like ankle slits or stirrups also make leggings look more intentional.
Moheda clogs - I wear them everywhere.
