The TEll// By Thrift & Tell
Welcome to THE TELL//BY THRIFT & TELL: a celebration of fashionable women who dress as smart as they shop.
This week’s guest on THE TELL// is Laura Gelfand, founder of Le Lion. Laura infuses her line of beautiful Italian-made, New York-finished wool sweaters with whimsy throughout, whether that is with glitter adorned astrological signs or bespoke pet stitching. The goal of Le Lion is to offer modern heirlooms: investments pieces of beauty and quality that will stand the test of time. In her closet, Laura elevates her favorite feminine silhouettes with fun touches like glitter socks, platform heels, and vintage pieces from her grandmother. She, like many of us, is a deal hunter and uses her expert eye to find designer pieces everywhere from vintage stores to Century21. Le Lion is among the many small businesses impacted by COVID19, so be sure to spread the word about this beautiful brand. It’s a pleasure to have Laura be part of this series, and look forward to more stories from inspiring entrepreneurs to come. Stay safe. xx
//Your style in 3 words: Whimsical, feminine, classic.
//Staple Outfit: Le Lion Sweater, Jeans, Sparkly Flats (usually Rochas or Chanel).
//Style Icon(s): Elsa Schiaparelli, Carine Roitfeld and my maternal grandmother
//Your First Big Purchase: A Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra necklace
//Do You Still Have It? Of course!
//Best Fashion Advice You Ever Received: Dress for yourself.
//Types of clothing you invest in: Shoes!!!! Sweaters, outerwear.
//Types of clothing you save on: Really everything - I am a big bargain shopper!
//Your greatest extravagance: Candles and hand wash.
//Brands That Will Stand the Test of Time: Chanel, Dior, Hermes, Ralph Lauren
//Favorite High Street Brands: & OtherStories
//Favorite Designer Brands: Rochas, Chanel, Schiaparelli, Dries van Noten, Dior
Favorite High-Low Brands to Mix: I love sweats from The Great and I often wear those with my Chanel flats and a Le Lion sweater. Also love to buy Zara boys t-shirts!
//Favorite Places to Shop Consignment: The RealReal, also vintage stores internationally always have the best finds!
//Favorite Places to Consign Your Own Closet: The RealReal
//Currently Collecting Dust in the Back of your Closet: All of my old sweaters! I have a collection of beautiful Ralph Lauren sweaters I accumulated in my time working there….but now I only wear Le Lion!
//Your Closet Tried and Trues: Le Lion oversized funnel neck, Levis jeans, The Great sweatpants, Chanel flats.
//Best investment you ever made in your style: Really I feel most stylish and most myself when I am incorporating some vintage from my grandmother (luckily no investment!). I think my best investment would probably be my shoe collection because those can really just make a boring outfit feel special!
//Style Choice From Your Past That Haunts You: EVERYTHING I wore in college. Tight theory tanks, neon mini dresses, Hollister jeans OMG.
//“It seemed like a good idea at the time” a.k.a Purchase you most regret: Christian Louboutins
//Closet From Which You Would Like to Borrow: Carrie Bradshaw
//Last Time You Splurged? I haven’t been splurging these days but my sweet mom splurged on some fab Chanel flats for me this fall for my birthday!
//Currently Saving Your Pennies For: Too many things to even list! Will probably never happen but I love the Schiaparelli secret bag and I typically don't lust after handbags!
//A Deal for the History Books/Your T&T Personal Best: I am a Century 21 addict. I have found some incredible pieces there. I bought a leopard haircalf Yves Salamon coat a couple of years ago for 90% off.
//Advice to someone looking to define their own style: Wear what makes you feel like the most special version of yourself.
//Trend you wish would go away? I don’t wish any trend away because I love the diversity of it all!
//You feel great. What are you wearing? One of my sweaters! To me they are cozy, personal and whimsy!
//Occasions when you splurge: When I find an amazing deal (often still ends up a splurge) or when I find something while traveling.
//Occasions when you save: I don't spend on my sleepwear! I like J. Crew PJs and old t-shirts!
//Most prized possession: I have several things that were my grandmothers that I adore. I have pendant that she designed and had made that has her monogram on the front and on the back it has carved stars with rubies and a place for photos to be inserted! It’s really unique.
//Home Decor Style: Eclectic.
//Favorite place to hunt for home decor: ABC Home
//Go-to for unique items, whether it be clothing, accessories, home or art: Vintage!
//Your fashion motto: “Fashions fade. Style is eternal.” - Yves Saint Laurent
//Your life motto: “The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.” - Coco Chanel
Fill in the blank:
//A woman should invest in- whatever makes her feel fantastic. //You’re never too old to—express yourself through fashion. //A woman can never have too much- of anything. // Bury Me In: a vintage Schiapparelli gown LOL. //True or False: More is More- true. //Fashion is- such a wonderful form of self expression.//Style is: an attitude.
Currently Loving:
//Music: I am always loving bossanova, hotel costes, oldies!
//Print: Just read Demi Moore’s memoir Inside Out which I really loved. Also loving Air Mail from Graydon Carter which is a fantastic weekly newsletter.
//Food: Malaparte for Italian in the West Village.
//Drink: Casamigos with lime and a splash of soda :)
//Film: Just watched Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Dying to see Little Women (and Frozen II).
//TV: The Morning Show, Cheer, The Bachelor!
//Podcast: How I Built This
//Instagram Handle: @Florence, @emilisindlev , @pentreahandhall
//Designer: Schiapparelli (if you couldn’t tell)
ABOUT LAURA
Le Lion was born out of a passion for personalization reminiscent of a bygone era and the desire to reestablish what it means to dress with individual sparkle. Drawing inspiration from the stars above, she dreamt up a collection that celebrates our shared connection to astrology and our respective journeys around the sun. Using the finest Italian yarn, and knitted in classic, wearable silhouettes, Le Lion sweaters are adorned with embroidered interpretations of traditional heraldry and personalized with whimsical monograms and zodiac constellations.
At Le Lion, Laura hopes to offer an alternative to “fast-fashion” — luxurious knits that are everlasting, rooted in timeless techniques, and personal to each lioness.
FIND LE LION
Photos used courtesy of Laura Gelfand
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