I know how you feel about Oprah- so what would Oprah say right now about COVID-19?

Oprah is so positive and spiritual. Without question, her take is how can we use this to learn. 

What will women want to wear when this is over? 

That is the $1,000,000 question for me. I am focused on refined comfort and emotion. I think it will be a time when people will want their clothes to help them smile. 

What are you wearing daily as you work from home? I know how you are about your custom shirts and pants in perfect fabrics!

I haven’t been to NY in over a month. I was traveling when this all got super crazy and flew to the Berkshires where I have a home. So basically I am in my gardening clothes day in and day out. 

What is your best source of inspiration now that you are staying at home in the Berkshires?

Having time to think.  About who we are as a brand. Who are our customers. What and why do i do what I do. Our industry has been moving so fast: more, more, more… there has been no time to think. Being able to do that is inspiring me now.

Any books, movies, tv shows to recommend?  

I love English Crime Shows, So Happy Valley and The Stranger.  And the new Ozark is so good.  I am in the middle of the Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead. He is a fantastic author. 

How will COVID-19 change fashion? How will it change your business?

I very much hope the industry comes out of this with a change in priorities. Let’s make less. Let’s be more thoughtful on how we make it, and let’s make it better. 

What women inspire you the most?

So many of my customers have become close friends. People I might never have met if it weren’t for what I do. I am continually amazed by their kindness, philanthropy, work and family ethic. 



Beth, you’re the perfect one to ask: “how do you do it?!”   

Are you bored, busy, or both?

I am an avid gardener – but not just planting flowers… working in the fields, building stone walls, etc. so I’ve tried to give myself a few hours a day to do just that. It has helped keep my busy. 

What’s the first thing you will do, see, eat when this is over? Where's the first place you want to travel?

 I cannot wait to be back to NYC. I want to go to the movies. I want to eat at Le Cou Cou. I want to see people!

You’ve had an amazing career. What advice do you have for any new designers starting out in fashion this Spring during this bizarre situation?  The best advice I was ever given when I first started was to “start small.” This is forcing that. So my advice is to keep your head down, do what you do best, and move forward.