There comes a point in life where you begin to really know yourself, simultaneously gaining a solid grasp on your individual taste. It’s a privileged position that comes through experimentation, study, and reiteration. From this state, you acquire the ability to make lasting decisions about what “timeless” feels like for you. Your intuition becomes more obvious and your ability to make investments becomes greater.
The most interesting people I know are collectors. Though not always in the formal sense, their collections are really collections of a life: experiences, references, books, film, stories, art, furniture, jewelry, and of course, clothing. Their homes, wardrobes, and very being become physical evidence of everywhere they have been, what they’ve learned, and that which they’ve decided is worth carrying forward.
I was once told to “taste the buffet of life”. I’m convinced these people have their forks and knives constantly at the ready.
Conscious consumption is often framed around buying less and wasting less. Valid. But I believe my version of this shows a more pleasurable side. Buy fewer things, yes, but buy the things you want to live with for a very long time.
When you choose well, your joy compounds. The possessions around you stop becoming mere possessions and begin to form part of the creative expression of your life. Things you value, made by people whose stories you know, holding meaning and providing a little hit of dopamine that comes from living among things you find beautiful.
Becoming a collector is not about owning the most, but about owning the things that are most worth keeping, for you.
Here, a few forever pieces that you may consider adding to your collection.
The Pouf Lighter Necklace by Borne Edit
If you’re a L’étude loyalist, you’ll know Mariana Ertmann’s Borne Edit well. If you’re new here, we interviewed her for this profile and fell in love. The 14K gold-plated lighter necklace is one of many truly elegant pieces Mariana dreams up. The necklace, adored with a fine silk tassel and detachable matching chain, is a wearable object and decorative one, all at once. Ignite your candle. Ignite your Virginia Slim. Whatever you choose to do with it will feel like a luxurious treat with every use.
Antique Fringed Silk-Jacquard Scarf by Merci, C’est Vintage
While we’re at it, you may also know Mariana Vergara’s Merci, C’est Vintage from this time last year. This recent design of hers genuinely made my jaw drop. Her taste is impeccable, so it wasn’t a surprise, but nonetheless, wow. The scarf is made to be worn traditionally around the neck or as a belt across your waist. The kind of piece that can pull an entire look into focus.
Vintage Silver Seashell Spoon Set by Lucia Zolea
I find myself scrolling Lucia Zolea’s curation quite often. From clothing to jewelry to objects like these spoons, each piece is to be treasured. I imagine these spoons in particular becoming part of a beautiful routine, stirring your morning coffee in a meditative state. They’re a piece of simple luxury worth considering.
Pleated Lamp by Jenje
Josh Jen is an architect, digital artist, and designer based in London. His designs reinterpret historical garments and cultural references through contemporary materials and fabrication techniques. The result: objects that both catch your eye and tell a story.
Iceberg by Leighton Bannock
It would not be a proper collector’s curation without the mention of art: the most evocative way to dress a room. Leighton Bannock's work immediately comes to mind. Reminiscent of Alex Katz, but often centered on female figures, her paintings leave space for interpretation. The meaning never feels entirely fixed. The work becomes almost as much a reflection of the viewer’s state as of what is pictured.
Satin Upcycled Jacket by Marlene Rougier
Marlene Rougier’s made-to-order pieces come in limited drops but with every one, there are always several pieces I immediately covet. Her designs are made by hand from upcycled or deadstock fabric, often sourced from luxury fashion houses, at her studio in Bordeaux. Her drops are worth tracking for that truly one-of-a-kind addition to your collection. (Next one: this Sunday!)
Thank you for being here,
Kelly