HOTEL AMORE Feature: Jalil Johnson, Fashion Writer, New York
I have rarely met anyone who has as much personal style as he does and I can't wait for you to meet him
Hello my dear friends,
I hope you are doing fine. My week has been good, I am flying to Puglia tomorrow for a campaign production, and from mid June until mid July, I will spend one month in Paris and Marseilles, where we have planned quite a few events and shoots, can’t wait to realise our ideas and plans! My husband and I spent a beautiful Venice Biennale weekend last week, organised by Super Super Markt. A Venice and Biennale guide will follow in the next weeks - can’t wait to get started!
Karlo Otto sent me really nice suncare package from the Italian brand Le Rub (thank you!). Really love the branding & packaging, and am looking forward to trying it out in Puglia tomorrow. I already tried the oil and my skin was babysoft this morning <3
I read a lot of interesting and insightful (in good and bad ways) articles this week. Here is a selection:
Air Mail: Power-Lunch Like It’s 1989!
NYT Magazine: The Man Who Couldn’t Stop Going To College
The Cut: Brock Colyar’s Nightlife Newsletter Is Back
The Cut: The Cult of the Provider Man: Meet the influencers who urge their followers to marry rich
Grub Street: Cheesier, Saucier, and Drowning in Caviar. How TikTok took over the menu
Vogue Business: The Darker Side Of Jelly Shoes
I highly recommend a subscription with New York sites: You’ll get access to New York Mag, Vulture, the Cut, Intelligencer, Curbed, Grub Street, The Strategist plus newsletters such as My Week in New York and Jerry Saltz’s Guide to Art and Life.
My best friend L. shared me this post which made me laugh:
Also: I have decided to give everyone a 20% discount on the monthly and annual subscription of HOTEL AMORE INC, valid for an entire year, for this weekend. The offer ends on Sunday, you can click here if you want travel guides, furniture & fashion intel every Friday!
Hotel Amore Feature: Jalil Johnson, NYC
Today really is all about Jalil Johnson, who originally moved from Hurt, in Virginia to New York to attend NYU and to start his career in the fashion industry. He works as a fashion writer and has a fantastic Substack Consider Yourself Cultured where he uncovers the secrets of a truly cultured life (love that). He has been featured in press of the likes of Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Financial Times and The Cut. I was really intrigued by his fantastic eye for colors, combinations and style, with draws influences from art, film and literature. Very excited for you to meet him today!
LKD: Jalil, amazing to have you at HOTEL AMORE INC.! I don’t really remember where I discovered you: I think it was on a feature you did for Leandra Cohen’s newsletter Cereal Aisle and I was immediately smitten with your great taste and fabulous way of putting things together.
Before we dive in: Please tell us about you, where you live, what you do and what you love to do!
JJ: Hello Louisa! Thank you so much for having me! I live in New York City, I have been here for about seven years. I moved here to attend NYU, well to be honest it felt like college was more of a side hustle, because I spent most of college days interning and assisting stylists, so by the time I graduated I had already been working in the industry, the same year I graduated I got a corporate job for a fashion company, and I will have been there for three years in June. During my free time, I am working on my Substack, and though I have been working on it for a year, I would say I have been very dedicated to it since December. I came into the new year with a plan for the letter, and I am happy to say that it is growing at a steady pace!
In regards to what I love to do, shopping is probably at the top of my list. I love films, I actually just got a subscription to The Criterion Colllection (a streaming service for important classic and contemporary cinema from around the world), so I feel quite mature. I love socialising with people, but I am not a huge fan of clubs, they are usually too loud, hot, and you cannot have a conversation with someone unless you yell through the *thud* *thud* *thud* of the music. However, there are times when I have an urge to dance, and I will go out and have the time of my life dancing!
LKD: Describe your style in five words?
JJ: Eclectic, Preppy, Joyful, Swan-like, Americana?
LKD: Tell me: What are your 2-3 favorite looks and what do they mean to you?
JJ: I wore this look to go see one of my boyfriend’s oldest friend play at Birdland. The tank top is Saint Laurent, the skirt is VTG Donna Karan, the shoes are Emme Parsons, and I got the feathered boa from Etsy. I think this is one of my favorite outfits because it is va va voom, but at the same time demure.
I wore this outfit to give a guest lecture to a class, and then I had a fantastic holiday event at SAA. The skirt and shoes are Prada, the cardigan is VTG Lord & Taylor, the polo underneath the cardigan is from COS from ages ago, and the tiara is an Etsy find. I love this look because of the skirt. It’s from Prada SS20 which is one of my favorite collections, and I was able to find the skirt at a sample sale! The outfit feels like a quintessential Prada look, and who doesn’t love that?!
I wore this outfit during NYFW. The top is by Patou, the pants are from Christopher John Rogers, the shoes are Prada, the hat is by Jenny Walton, and the bag is Bottega Veneta (Daniel Lee Era RIP). I adore this ensemble because it exudes pure, joyful exuberance. I've always been enamoured with Christopher's designs; they're so distinctive, vibrant, and quintessentially American— which is why I appreciate them even more. He follows in the footsteps of icons like Isaac Mizrahi, Bill Blass, and Geoffrey Beene— creating clothes with personality while also maintaining a sense of pragmatism, a defining trait of American sportswear.
LKD: Who do you look at for inspiration?
JJ: I am a big Jackie O. fan, so I am always look towards her for inspiration. But in a more contemporary lens I am always inspired by what Rachel Tashjian (she is a fashion writer for the New York Post) is wearing, Chloe King, Amanda Murray, Larry Curran - to name a few. And I also feel like I am constantly inspired by the styling at Miu Miu thanks to Lotta Volkova.
LKD: Can we talk about hats: Where do you get yours (I love the Gigi Burris one) and what do you think is the secret of wearing hats in 2024?
JJ: I adore hats, I have a few hats from Gigi, a few from Amy Downs. I think the hats I am drawn to, and seem to be making appearances not only on the runway, but also irl, are definitely retro.
LKD: Your style is really ownable and recognisable - what is your secret sauce when putting something together?
JJ: It's all about a feeling. If it doesn’t feel right I won’t wear it.
LKD: What do you have on your wishlist right now and why? Do you have any favorite brands?
JJ: JJ: The biggest thing on my wishlist are those Aquazurra sandals, and I'm hoping that by the time this goes live, I will have them in my possession (haha!). Also, I need to get some SS24 Dries (I have my eyes on these varsity pants). Other than that, I don't have any other major items on my wishlist. Unfortunately, I'm in this somewhat constant state of moving, so I'm trying to minimize my belongings. As for favorite brands: Christopher John Rogers, The Row, Prada, Miu Miu, Dries Van Noten, to name a few!
LKD: What do you think about trends?
JJ: I don’t really think about them.
LKD: You are a top eBay and Etsy hunter. How do you shop on the platforms? Could you share some key words that lead you to success?
JJ: When it comes to searches on eBay and Etsy, and try to be as specific as possible. So if I am looking for let’s say a tiara from the 20s I will search something along the lines of “crystal tiara 20s” or “vintage art deco 20s tiara.” I’ll just try different versions of the same phrases to see what pops-up, or if I know a brand makes a certain type of thing I am looking for I will usually include the brand in the search like “Charles Jourdan almond toe heel 11.” I also think it is helpful to put the size you are looking for in the search.
LKD: Last question: Your top three places in the world?
JJ: 1. Michael’s on 55th for lunch, New York
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Palm Heights, Cayman Island
C’est tout!
LKD: Merci dear Jalil, it was a pleasure to have you and hopefully meet you in New York sometime! <3
I hope you enjoyed this style feature and see you next time for a travel guide on Bordeaux!
Have a great day.
LKD