Original supermodel Lauren Hutton on her best style tip: ‘Wear white’
By Georgie Gordon
Each week, we quiz a prominent person about their style and the inspiration behind it. Ahead, original supermodel Lauren Hutton.
“Fashion is what every designer has to come up with. Style is what you pick from fashion.”
How would you describe your style? They say you’re either born with style or without it. I don’t believe that at all, unless you grow up in a house that has a Matisse over here and a Cy Twombly over there. It took me a lot of time to find it out. You’ve got to listen to what you get complimented on, find what looks good on you, and develop it. It used to be jeans, a white shirt and sneakers. One of my favourite pictures is of me dressed like that. I came into the studio for Vogue [in 1973] and
Dick [Richard Avedon] saw me, rushed me to the set and started taking pictures of me in my own clothes. Polly Mellen, the fashion editor, said, “No, Dick, no!” But he got them into Vogue. It was beautiful.
What are the three essential items in your wardrobe? Jeans, white “Perfect Fit” T-shirts by J.Crew and a sports jacket.
Can you share a style secret? Wear white. Everyone has their own personal white. I used to love cream because my mother looked good in it. But she was platinum blonde; it made me disappear. I’m good in real white, bright white.
What’s the oldest thing in your wardrobe? I have Giorgio Armani suits from the time he started in the ’70s. But the oldest is probably a suit of Katharine Hepburn’s that Western Costume Co gave me.
And the most recent addition? At David Jones in Sydney, I gota hold of a Dries Van Noten suit
that I’m crazy about.
What’s your favourite fashion era? The 1920s. They could really make a gown; it was knock-you-dead beautiful stuff.
Who are your favourite designers? Jac + Jack is a new favourite. Always Armani for dressing up. If I’m in London I’ll go to Huntsman or The Deck on Savile Row for a suit.
What would you wear …
… on a first date? I never have first dates.
… on a plane? A sweatsuit and sneakers.
… on the red carpet? I got bored with red carpets – after you’ve been to a bunch of Academy Awards, you sort of stop going. But I like Gabriela Hearst a lot – she makes wonderful clothes and she’s a friend of mine.
Hutton, pictured at the 1980 Academy Awards, is no longer interested in red-carpet events.Credit: Getty Images
What’s your fragrance of choice? Chanel No. 5. My mother and my grandmother wore it, it reminds me of the women who raised me, the women I loved.
Can you remember a favourite outfit from when you were a child? A little blue dress with red smocking when I was four.
What was your first fashion moment? I sewed my own prom gown. I could make patterns and I copied a Schiaparelli [dress] from the newspaper. I was the belle of the ball. The homeroom teacher had to arrange my date, but boy, I sure had the best gown.
What was your first job in fashion? Working as the house model for Christian Dior, making $50 a week.
Is there a current trend you like? I don’t follow trends. I’m old enough to know that fashion is what every designer has to come up with – it used to be twice a year, then it was four seasons a year … it’s impossible. Style is what you pick from fashion.
What’s on your wish list? A red Ginger & Smart suit.
What shoes do you wear the most often? White Sperry sneakers.
Who’s your favourite fashion icon? I don’t even know what an icon is, and I get called it all the time. Dozens of people were chic – Fred Astaire and Georgia O’Keeffe to start. But the icons I saw were on motorcycles. I was in a gang, the Guggenheim Motorcycle Club, with Jeremy Irons, Dennis Hopper and Laurence Fishburne. I was the only girl. It was fun.
What’s your favourite, off-duty casual Sunday look? I don’t differentiate between the days so it’s jeans or tights – I like Kate Hudson’s label Fabletics – a white T-shirt, a sports jacket and my Sperrys.
Lauren Hutton was a guest at the David Jones 2023 Beauty Awards.