This week’s style diary guest is Melody Mayer. After many years in the industry, Melody opened her first boutique and art gallery, WearWithAll, in East Hampton, which is known as a “little Paris” in the heart of the Hamptons and the place to find, in addition to the so many designer goods, a weekly rotating art exhibit featuring paintings by emerging artists from around the world. All of Melody’s pieces have a one-of-a-kind inspirational message and are made with exquisite fabrics evoking her signature theatrical, glamorous style. She is sharing with us her perspective on style.
Sibylle Eschapasse: Describe your style?
Melody Mayer: My style is timeless. Eclectic but always attractive.
Ms. Eschapasse: If a close friend were to describe your personality in three words, what would they be?
Ms. Mayer: Inspiring, loving, outgoing.
Ms. Eschapasse: How did your style evolve since you were a teenager?
Ms. Mayer: I started making my own clothes at 7! By the time I was a teenager I had my own sewing machine and I was making very inventive clothing that then became the trends. Even today I draw a sleeve or a type of dress or coat and a year later it’s on the runway in Paris! My style is always evolving as all of ours should always be—change makes life and fashion exciting!
Ms. Eschapasse: What is the wildest thing you ever wore?
Ms. Mayer: Hard to say—wild to one is not wild to another. But I definitely can say that no matter where I am in the world people stop me and ask me “where did you get that?” and it’s always something I designed.
Ms. Eschapasse: How do you dress on workdays versus weekends?
Ms. Mayer: I don’t differentiate from weekday to weekend. Every day is a new chance to glamorize the world and make people smile!
Ms. Eschapasse: What are three accessories you can’t live without?
Ms. Mayer: Inventive handbags, statement jewelry, and fabulous shoes!
Ms. Eschapasse: What’s one item that makes you instantly more confident?
Ms. Mayer: La Prairie foundation.
Ms. Eschapasse: Who have been your greatest fashion influences?
Ms. Mayer: Nature, traveling all over the world, art.
Ms. Eschapasse: Who is your style icon?
Ms. Mayer: Me!
Ms. Eschapasse: What does having style mean to you? In other words, please define style.
Ms. Mayer: Style is looking the best you can look. It’s not following any trend—it’s deciding what works for you and your body type. Never wear something because everyone is wearing it. Find things you love that make you feel good and then your style will shine!
Ms. Eschapasse: What is one purchase you’re most proud of? What would you pay a lot of money for, and what would you never pay much money for?
Ms. Mayer: I love boots and shoes. If a woman has a great pair of shoes she can wear the simplest dress and still look good. Paying a lot for something doesn’t mean it’s great. Always work within your budget.
Ms. Eschapasse: When you go on the red carpet, how do you want your outfit to make you feel? Which designers can achieve that?
Ms. Mayer: The red carpet is your place to shine but never be influenced by someone who just wants you to wear their dress even if it doesn’t look good on you. I see that happen on many red carpets. A great outfit should make the woman memorable—then the dress will be too.
Ms. Eschapasse: What do you think of how others dress and what’s your advice to people who would like to develop their personal style?
Ms. Mayer: Don’t look at how other people dress—they don’t have your body or your hair or your look. When you shop for clothes, see what looks good on you. There’s always a fine line between too much and too little—so check yourself before you leave your house. Then add something or take something off. Then smile. For no outfit shines better than with happiness.
Melody’s Favorites
Favorite color: I love them all! But! I do believe grey should be obliterated from the color spectrum! Especially in fashion. For no woman of any age looks good in grey!!
Favorite Perfume: Belle De Nuit from Fragonard in Paris
Favorite restaurant in NY: East Hampton Point in East Hampton, New York
Favorite drink: No alcohol ever passes through these lips, so bottled water, please.
Favorite movie: Tough question—I’m a movieholic! “Avatar”? “The Holiday”?
Favorite book: “The 48 Laws of Power” by Robert Greene
Favorite quote: My quote—yes, I’m a writer too!—“We are all in this world to help each other.”
Sibylle’s “Style Diary” is a column that explores style from the perspective of choices, and what that means for different people, with personal advice from some of the most stylish people in New York.
Sibylle Eschapasse is from Paris and now lives in Manhattan. She is a journalist and a contributing writer to various publications. Sibylle is also the author of a children’s book, “Argy Boy a New York Dog Tale.” She may be reached at [email protected]
