Cornelia Guest on Eco Style & Her New Vegan Accessories Line
Cornelia Guest, the daughter of American fashion icon CZ Guest and polo champion Winston Frederick Churchill Guest is a well-known philanthropist and entrepreneur. Cornelia’s passion for animals and nature are the sources of inspiration for her business ventures. Her most recent project is the launch of an amazing line of eco-conscious handbags. She also has a vegan catering business called Cornelia Guest Events with delicious and healthy dishes, many of which are made from produce selected at her own garden located in Old Westbury, NY. Named by Donna Karan as “One of the Women Who Inspire”, I am excited to share what Cornelia has been up to lately and of course get some of her green tips and product picks.
MM: Tell us a little about your new handbag and accessories line.
CG: I wanted to create an intelligent alternative; a line of accessories that used no animals, was luxurious, and very wearable, that you can take all day to all night.
MM: Where is it available for purchase and what is the price range?
CG: It’s available at Bloomingdale’s, Bloomingdales.com, Target, Tootsies, C.Orrico and boutiques around the country. A list of stores is available on CorneliaGuest.com. All under $350.00.
MM: Three words to describe the collection?
CG: Humane, affordable, beautiful.
MM: Most of the vegan handbags on the market are lacking in style- how did you do it, and so well- I love them!
CG: Thank you. It’s a compilation of all the things I love and I asked lots of my friends for help!
MM: A lot of people hear the words “cruelty-free” tossed around, what exactly does that mean to you?
CG: “Cruelty-free” means “humane.” No animals are ever hurt while making my products. My cookies are also cruelty-free. My book, which is coming out June 12, 2012, “Simple Pleasures,” is a humane, cruelty-free lifestyle book.
MM: What are some of your favorite vegan finds?
CG: Clothing: Stella McCartney
Restaurants: NYC Angelika Kitchen, Organic Avenue
Shoes: I’m working on my own. That’s my next task.
MM: Who are some of your favorite designers?
CG: Badgley Mischka, St. John, J.Crew, Levi’s, American Apparel
MM: How would you describe your personal style?
CG: My style is humane and classic with a twist.
MM: Name three of your eco-conscious staples?
CG: Fine & Raw Chocolate, Juice Press, CleanWell sanitizing wipes, and Dr. Frank Lipman’s Sustain Protein Supplement powder for smoothies.
MM: What’s in your make-up bag?
CG: Bobbi Brown Extreme Party Mascara, MAC VivaGlam because it goes to AIDS charity, lypo-spheric vitamin C.
MM: What type of skincare do you use?
CG: Joanna Vargas — all her products, and I swear by her facials!
MM: What about hair care? Yours always looks so good!
CG: Wen. I LOVE their shampoo and Nikki Ray at AKS Salon cuts it.
MM: What do you do to de-stress?
CG: Pilates, dance, play with my dogs. I love the water. The ocean is the best de-stresser ever!
MM: What tips do you have for someone who would like to transition to a vegan lifestyle?
CG: Find what humane, cruelty-free products you like and slowly start to incorporate them into your daily life. Bit by bit, baby steps grow into big steps.
 Cornelia Guest has been passionate about animals and nature since she was a child. Her passion is reflected in every aspect of her life including her philanthropy, animal activism, and business enterprises.In 2009 she founded Cornelia Guest Events and Cornelia Guest Cookies, catering high-end charity and entertainment events with healthy, vegan dishes. Her mission is to encourage and inspire people to be conscious of the diet choices they make in their daily lives.Cornelia is currently designing her own line of jewelry, as well as a collection of animal-friendly handbags, wallets and dog accessories made with a vegan alternative to leather; both lines are scheduled to launch in the fall of 2011.Daughter of American fashion icon CZ Guest and polo champion Winston Frederick Churchill Guest, Cornelia has been able to use her media attention and professional contacts to support Humane Society of New York, and was named by Donna Karan as one of the Women Who Inspire. Cornelia is also an advocate for New Yorkers for Marriage Equality and hosted their fall 2010 event with Mayor Bloomberg. |
A Day in the Life of Jay Godfrey
It’s fun to learn what your favorite designers do on a daily basis, let alone every half hour. I recently sat down with Jay Godfrey to get his play by play on a typical day, and what gets him going (Espresso!). It’s a guarantee he’ll never leave home without his iPhone and an ingrained image of his baby girl, Allegra. Get a glimpse into JG’s life:
5:44 am: I hear my alarm go off. Ok, no I don’t! I hear my one year old, Allegra, crying. Ok, not that either. Why the hell am I up?! Must be thinking about work. Back to sleep I go.
7:16 am: Ok. Now I am really up. I hear Allegra calling for me and her mommy to come get her from her crib.
7:19 am: Diaper change. “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” sung. Espresso machine on and heating up.
7:35 am: Espresso gone. Make another. Go get the NY Post and NY Times to get some news at my front door. Tired of “debt ceiling” and Casey Anthony stories. Loved restaurant reviews in the Times and can’t wait to try David Bouley’sBrushstroke, which received two stars this morning.
8:02 am: Steam, shower, groom, pick out my clothes (Nudie Jeans, American apparel Deep V, Jil Sander cotton navy blazer, Duckie Brown for Florsheim no lace brogues). No socks today.
8:30 am: Third espresso. Eating two slices of whole wheat toast my wife Dara made me with peanut butter and Nutella. YUM!
8:44 am: Hop on the E Train north to the garment district.
9:02 am: Arrive at the office to a LONG LONG LONG LONG to do list. Start returning emails to my factory in China.
10:00 am: Full team meeting to chat about all things going on in the world of Jay Godfrey. I mention to the team about an appearance I am going to be making on a Bravo reality show about matchmaking.
11:05 am: Design meeting with associate designer to discuss Spring 2012 prints in Photoshop. Some fab kaleidoscope prints are being concocted in front of my eyes.
11:55 am: Surprise pop into the studio from my wife and baby. Made my day!
12:33 pm: Starting to get hungry but somehow the girls in my office start talking about the Bachelorette and I get roped into a conversation about who I want to win. Massive fake argument ensues.
1:39 pm: Still haven’t gone for lunch. Getting ravenous (and maybe a bit grumpy). Need to eat. Off to grab a sandwich and return to my desk.
2:22 pm: Phone rings and big Hollywood stylist calls me in a frantic (albeit funny) fit. She needs a particular dress made ASAP in two different colors. DEEP BREATHS! Okay!
3:00 pm: Japanese luxury trim manufacturer coming to show me and my associate designer their latest and greatest.
3:45 pm: INSPIRED! Some great and exciting new trims. My mind is racing with ideas. Need to sleep on some of them, though.
4:12 pm: Production manager comes to my office saying that the factory in China is having difficultly telling which color I call “Lipstick Red” and the one I call “Bordeaux”.
4:33 pm: Bravo show producers drop in for a quick “site visit”.
5:02 pm: In the sample room with my head of production, VP of Sales, patternmaker and sample maker, discussing options for exclusive styles we’re creating for Intermix.
5:18 pm: Step into meeting with our CFO, Sean, to discuss the possibility of a JAY GODFREY retail store! Sounds exciting. A bit scary too.
6:46 pm: In a taxi home to play with Allegra and put her to bed.
7:46 pm: Dara made a DELICIOUS salmon teriyaki. Have a delicious glass of Provence-style rose.
8:43 pm: Off for a jog along the Westside highway. Thinking about Spring 2012 and cant get it out of my head.
9:35 pm: Return to my apartment – totally and utterly exhausted. Time for my wind down – steam, bath, book, news.
10:33 pm: A few emails come in as China opens. Nothing crazy.
11:30 pm: In bed. Ready to sleep but Spring 2012 is still on my mind. I get up, go to my sketch book, and quickly jot down some ideas.
11:52 pm: Back in bed. Need to rest!
Buy Jay Godfrey in the US: Intermix, Nordstrom, Saks, Tootsies, Neiman Marcus and Cusp.
Buy Jay Godfrey Internationally: Holt Renfrew in Canada, Vakko in Turkey, Aishti in the Lebanon and Dubai and Harvey Nichols in Hong Kong.
 Lindsay Brooke Weiss (Cohen) is a fashion and accessories editor and on-air style expert. She was previously Haute Living’s editorial director, Niche Media’s fashion and accessories editor and fashion editor for L-Atitude.com. Lindsay has been a frequent contributor at styledon.com and is a regular guest stylist on NBC’s “Gossip Gram.” |
