Linda Fargo’s Personal style

I have done the odd post on women who “nail it” in terms of personal style – Mrs Simpson and Frida Khalo – so here is another (living) one.

I love Linda Fargo. She is Senior VP and top buyer for Bergdorf Goodman in New York. She is a stylish, older woman, who smiles broadly, wears dramatic fashionable clothes, but always with a good awareness of what looks great on her. In these photographs, she wears barely any make up, so we can see her amazing naturally grey hair, her deep blue eyes and her clear, fresh complexion. A classic, simple to care for hair cut and a great smile. She is not a model – she has a normal figure, rather big teeth and she doesn’t appear to rely on surgical interventions to keep he fresh look. She just chooses great clothes to complement her dramatic wardrobe personality and to show case what her store is offering. Her a denim shirt and starry necklace work perfectly with her colouring and style. The beige Aran linen sweater with the white fur coat is also a simple but very effective pairing.

When it comes to dressing up for evening events or the camera she can also turn it on. She backcombs her hair, wears Ladybug by Mac lipstick and puts some eye liner on. Aren’t these colours fabulous on Linda? I love the combination of red trousers, a bright blue silk blouse and an animal print belt. The relatively simple lines of her clothes mean she always looks elegant and stylish even though these are colours that not everyone could get away with. Linda is individualistic but always classy. She knows what suits her, and although she clearly has the pick of the wares of fashion designers of the world she often chooses clothes that would be fairly easy to copy or make, at a much lower price point.

Linda makes the point herself

“Style requires confidence, the ability to not look back in the mirror, an ability to judge what suits who you are, and the vision to believe that beauty can be found anywhere. I know women who always look unique and have somehow developed a signature without visibly overspending.” (NYmag.com)

Clearly those in the fashion industry have a heavy burden, in that they are expected to look great all the time and showcase the work of designers. How we would shriek if we were ever exposed to Anna Wintour’s eyes or wrinkles. But I sense that Linda is authentic and not afraid to be herself. She laughs easily and gives the impression of being open and friendly with everyone.

Bergdorf’s employ personal shoppers to help the rich and famous look their best. These guys earn unbelievable amounts of money according to the fascinating documentary Scatter my ashes at Bergdorfs.The most famous of these is Betty Halbreich who wrote a book about it, I’ll drink to that. I would quite like to be her. On second thoughts I think I would rather be Linda.