Finding Favorites at La Garçonne: Cecilie Bahnsen, Issey Miyake, and Loulou de Saison
PC: Florré
One of my favorite pastimes is daydreaming about different outfits to wear. I mentally dilly-dally from one look to another and think about what suits my frame, makes me feel confident, etc.
It’s something I used to do a lot when I was younger, but all but abandoned during my time as a fashion writer. A little ironic, I know, given that I should know my personal style now better than ever. However, when you’re covering generic trends and repeatedly writing about the same brands that perform well for your publication, you’re bound to lose a bit of your own it-factor.
I made the argument the other day that the capsule wardrobe killed my style. I feel like this past year has been a long, complicated journey of trying to pare down my wardrobe and finding my way back to my sense of self. I’ve made lists rounding up the best quiet luxury brands that don’t bore, and got my steps in at department stores to try on clothes IRL, all in the name of reaching something I’m proud to call “my style”.
This whole dance with fashion feels less like a three-step waltz and more like a complicated tango. And while learning the footwork and the sway of your partner can feel difficult at first, eventually you’ll fall into a rhythm that feels (& looks) lovely.
I have a list of places saved in Google Maps that are just clothing stores I want to check out. One high up on this list is La Garçonne. It’s a store founded by Kris Kim, who carefully curates a collection of pieces from luxury designers like Cecilie Bahnsen, Issey Miyake, Loulou de Saison, The Row, and more. Brands that I adore, but don’t often have the chance to try on in person.
If I could turn Florré into a storefront, I would dream it to be something like La Garçonne. The spacious interior invites a sense of calmness into your nervous system. White floors, wooden racks, and a paper lamp suspended from the ceiling transport you from Tribeca to East Asia.
I found the Lemaire soft leather loafers I’ve seen online a few times, whose leather was even more supple in person than I could have imagined. The selection of The Row bags was truly impressive, but what got me really excited were the dresses, skirts, and tops from Colleen Allen, Yohji Yamamoto, Auralee, Sacai, Lauren Manoogian, Fforme, and more. The selection of brands (full list here) is truly a fashion editor’s dream.
Perhaps it should go without saying, given that the founders are Asian, but it’s all the brands that are popular amongst Asia’s fashionable crowd. While I personally can only speak for Japan, I know I’ve seen plenty of these designers around stores in Tokyo. Below are some of the pieces I picked out and tried on. When you get a chance, I highly recommend checking out the store yourself.
Knee-length skirts are trending right now and I found this gorgeous piece by Ter et Bantine that I almost took home. On the top, I’m wearing a Dušan rib-knit top.
I fell deeply in love with this Cecilie Bahnsen dress, which made me feel like a little princess. The quality and draping of the fabric really impressed me.
Cecilie Bahnsen may be my new favorite designer. This skirt caught my eye, as did this buttery soft zip-up sweater. The extra long sleeves gave it an elegant touch.
Issey Miyake Shirt (worn as a skirt) & Loulou de Saison Top
The sales associate told me that this Issey Miyake “skirt” is actually a top. I tried it both ways and loved each look, making it quite a versatile piece. The Loulou de Saison cashmere polo hugged my body in the softest embrace, making it difficult to peel off again.

