In my last “What I Wore All Week” post, one day was the clear star, and one piece of clothing made that happen. It was a sheer dress with fraying at the edges, which I layered into a three piece gray suit to transform it into something (much, much) more. BTW, it’s a genre of piece that Leandra Medine Cohen cited as “one of the inclinations I’m sensing” in her most recent post. Mine is so special and in one of those perfect bridge colors. Because it was made for me. Thanks to my friend Christian Botefuhr aka Waste Not Want Not Style, I met an incredible independent Miami designer, Valeria Krasavina. I now have three Valeria pieces, each of which I deeply treasure.

Last week, some of you joined Christian and me live in Valeria’s studio for a viewing of her newest Tahiti inspired pieces. And if you missed it, you’re in luck, Substack saved the recording, so you can watch it right here.

You’ll see that I fell in love with the newest collection and settled on two new pieces: a short satin dress with a wide, flirty, sculptural shape, and a heavy linen top with an unusual textured, soft origami effect and hand beaded straps.

I wanted to take you all along on the process.

Today Valeria shared fabrics with me following her trip to Mood. (Yes, that Mood! But in Miami).

First up, the dress. I didn’t want black, like the (incredible) sample, because I have a short flirty black Prada dress, which although totally different is “in the vibe of” enough that I craved a different color.

Valeria shared these, above, which are the same heft and sheen of the black. The navy is perfect and just what I had hoped for. I can imagine this little dress with a royal and white striped tee.

For the woven top, I wanted a sort of pretty, off color. (The sample was a buttery yellow.) Maybe a purple, blue, green gray? Valeria suggested that something the color of the sheer dress could make for amazing layering. I love that.

On Friday at 3 I will go back to Valeria’s studio to look in person and talk details. I will go live on Substack so you can see this part too. Make sure you have the app, and I will see you there!

It gives me so much joy to support independent female and LGBTQIA+ designers. Of course you have to love the work! I’m so lucky to know (and love) Valeria and to be part of the special world she imagines. Somehow wearing these pieces makes me really feel especially awake and alive.

XOXO,

Rachel

Hi Substack friends!

So excited for this new LIVE feature. Thought I’d give it a try in a place I’m comfortable — my shoe closet. Join me to talk shoes (vintage, used, new), style, my hows and whys and when it’s time to let go.

Anything you’d like to have me cover in a live, let me know in the comments and I’m happy to!

I make my Substack income from subscriptions (I’m not doing any advertising/partnerships currently) so it means a lot to me that you’re here, and I wanted to give everyone a little taste of my thinking. Going forward I’ll make these for subscribers — I’m not shy but it’s vulnerable!

So grateful for you. It’s a huge support. And makes me feel joy. This community has been so kind. We need that!

XOXO

Rachel

POV: Let’s get our “how” right. And advance together.

You might be surprised.

Right now, when it comes to our bodies, our rights are at risk. We need each other. It’s no time to come for each other.

I am (and maybe you are) used to being really thorough. I don’t leave a job undone. And most of the time, that’s a good thing. But when it comes to shopping, it can translate into a mastery mentality that becomes joyless and damaging (guilt, environment, budget).

How do you — a do-er, an accomplisher — turn all that off and find your inner slacker when it comes to shopping?

I broke this into 2 because the kitten (Louise) stopped the recording.

One takeaway I thought of after — can we look at clothes sizing the same way you do with regard to shoe sizing? When a shoe doesn’t fit, we don’t feel self loathing. If we love it, we try another size!

Also: I always tell clients, is your internal voice saying something you would never let a man say to your best friend? Do not allow that. Be your own friend.

Thank you AA. Adams, Sue Bradley, Denise Adams, Jill Raisig, and many others for tuning into our live, where we talked about making the most of what summer has to offer without losing ourselves.

Kelly Williams — such a JOY to do this with you!

XO,

Rachel

Thank you AA. Adams, Alexandra, Chris Mende, Phyllisa, Selene Fenton, and many others for tuning into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app.