When you can count Giorgio Armani as an early champion of your work, rest assured you are on the right path. The Rome-born and -based designer Stella Jean can do just that. One year after Jean presented her first-ever collection at Milan fashion week in September 2012, Armani granted her the ultimate seal of approval: the opportunity to showcase her next collection at his sprawling Teatro space. What likely caught his eye—and what has, since then, captivated many a dedicated follower of fashion—is Jean’s signature splashy approach, an ideal mash-up of her own Italian-Haitian heritage: classical tailoring juxtaposed with wildly colorful prints that have far-flung appeal. And this week, Jean continued to earn style cred with a dynamic collection that looked to the Himalayas for inspiration, adroitly layering a kaleidoscopic array of prints with traditional pom-pom and embroidery details. Here, the new designer-to-watch shares her very pared-down list of favorites.
THE MINIMAL MAKEUP
“I do not use many beauty products; I like to leave the face clean. I don’t put any makeup on me at all—just YSL Touche Éclat under my eyes, and that’s it.”
THE SKINCARE DUO
“I always take L’Occitane hand cream with me everywhere. It’s produced with the karite from Burkina Faso and realized thanks to the help of the women in the community there. I also really appreciate simple mosqueta rose oil, because it is a 100 percent natural product that leaves my skin with a great sensation.”
THE SIGNATURE SCENT
“I have been wearing Jasmin Noir by Bulgari for the past three years. I love the duality of its woodsy, floral composition and the contrast of masculine and feminine notes.”
THE RETREAT
“To relax a little whenever I’m in Milan, I recommend the wellness oasis QC Terme Milano. I totally enjoy getting a massage, and on the rare occasion that I have time, I like to get two, one after the other.”
For more information, visit termemilano.com
THE SUNDAY SHOP
“I like to go shopping at the organic market of Circo Massimo in Rome on sunny Sundays. I love the tradition of the Roman open market—in particular the Circo Massimo, where you can find olive oils, fruits and vegetables, fresh and cured meats, plants, flowers, honey and preserves, beans, and pastas.”
THE MILAN STROLL
“I love wandering through galleries and antique shops whenever I’m in Milan. The places I especially prefer are Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, Galleria Giorgio Baratti, Tornabuoni Arte, and Il Cirmolo Antiquariato.”
For more information, visit ambrosiana.eu, giorgiobaratti.com, tornabuoniarte.it, and ilcirmoloantiquariato.it
THE ESCAPE
“One of my favorite places is always Forte dei Marmi, where I can spend time with part of my family. Whenever I’m there, I love to get up at 6 in the morning and go cycling to the jetty, where I leave the bike, then go on walking to Pietrasanta.”
—Fiorella Valdesolo, Style.com
