Malone Souliers Maureen flat in every color
Fave Luxury Bag:
Khaite Lotus tote
Fave Watch:
My Grandfather’s “Steve McQueen” Explorer II 1655 Rolex
Fashion Icon:
Past: Katharine Hepburn; present: Victoria Beckham
Fave Hotel:
Ojai Valley Inn
Fave Movie:
Steel Magnolias
Mentor:
Greg Murray, the father of my dear friend Megan and the most generous and incredible giver of wisdom.
Philanthropy:
Anything and everything that supports the people I love, from family to friends to staff
My Weakness:
Lucky Charms cereal
Mantra:
Just keep swimming (Dory, Finding Nemo).
Soulmate:
My husband, Jed
Bedtime:
9:30 p.m. latest
Theme Song To Your Life:
“Hell of a Year” or “To Be Loved by You” by Parker McCollum
Favorite Work Of Art:
David Hockney, “Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures)”
Local Haunt:
Sunday morning walk to Elawa Farms Cafe for the best hash browns ever
Zodiac:
Aries, with rising Cancer and descending Capricorn moons
Samantha Saifer Berngard
This brand-building dynamo turns everyday moments into unforgettable experiences—and does it in impeccable style.
Photo by Maggie Rife Ponce/makeup by Esther Han
A journalism graduate of The George Washington University, Samantha Saifer Berngard (@cuddles1234) is a born storyteller. So it’s no wonder that after getting her start in publishing (including a leadership role at CS), she’s now the Head of Brand Experience at chic family brand Monica + Andy, where she leads the company’s efforts in experiential marketing, strategic partnerships and community programming. Style is also top of mind for the fashion-forward mother of three, who counts LOEWE and Miu Miu among her favorite brands and Sienna Miller and Jackie Kennedy Onassis as her fashion icons. As the Highland Park resident prepares to launch Monica + Andy’s new Baby Care line in NYC and Chicago—and take a much-anticipated first trip to Wyoming with her husband—she gives us a peek into some of her favorite things in the worlds of style, wellness and beyond.
Wake-Up Time:
7:00 a.m. (with a few snoozes until 7:30 a.m.)
Morning Skincare:
A splash of water, disposable face towels instead of regular towels, vitamin C, PCA Skin hyaluronic acid boosting serum, and my favorite: Dior Capture Totale Intensive Essence lotion—everywhere. I also can’t live without my Omnilux LED therapy mask.
Essential Shoes:
Miu Miu sneakers and loafers for daytime, Celine block-heel sandals for evening.
Essential Handbag:
I don’t leave the house without my tan Celine Louise Bucket Bag.
Go-To Luxury Brand:
I’m such a sucker for LOEWE and Miu Miu. I also love L’AGENCE for everyday. Vintage is where my heart is, though—especially Pucci, Missoni, Ralph Lauren and Moschino.
Favorite Hotel:
The Greenbrier, West Virginia
Favorite Movie:
Pretty Woman or Legends of the Fall
Philanthropy:
Room to Grow
My Weakness:
Le Colonial
Mantra:
Why can’t I have fun every day?
Soulmate:
My husband and our kids
Bedtime:
Way too late
Book I’m Reading:
Signs. Ever since my dad passed away last year, I’ve found myself looking for the little signs that remind me he’s still with me.
Theme Song To Your Life:
Bob Seger’s “Night Moves.” It was my dad’s favorite song, and I see so much of myself in him.
Favorite Work Of Art:
Our custom pieces by Darcy Lamstein of DBL Works
Local Haunt:
The Vault Creative in Highland Park
Zodiac:
Sagittarius
Laura Lester
With 20 years of art world expertise—not to mention an impeccable sense of style—the founder of Lester Fine Art has built a reputation as one of the North Shore’s most dynamic cultural figures.
Fine art pedigrees don’t get much more impressive than Laura Lester’s. The Indiana University art history grad started her career at Gagosian before serving as a specialist at Christie’s New York, then ascending to director of both Kasmin Gallery in New York and Richard Gray Gallery in Chicago and New York. Now, the chic Wilmette resident is at the helm of Lester Fine Art (lesterfineart.com), where she advises a clientele of North Shore power players on the ins and outs of art collecting, selling, collection management and more. As Lester counts down to Gertie’s Chicago Exhibition Week and Art Basel Paris—and Halloween with her children—she reveals some of the personal passions for fashion and beyond that keep her inspired.
Wake-Up Time:
7 a.m.
Morning Skincare:
Wash face and hyaluronic acid serum
Beauty Essential:
DRMTLGY Matte Universal Tinted Moisturizer SPF 46
Signature Scent:
I loved Maison Margiela Replica Chasing Sunsets this summer.
My Aesthetic In Three Words:
French, undone, sporty
My Uniform:
AGOLDE jeans and La Ligne T-shirt
Fave Luxury Shoe:
The Row flats
Fave Luxury Bag:
Vintage, slightly beat-up Chanel 11.12 bag forever and always
Essential Jewelry
Gold herringbone chain and Allison Lou rings with my children’s names on them
Fashion Icon:
The Olsen twins
Fave Hotel:
The Ritz Paris
Fave Movie:
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Mentor:
The late, great Paul Kasmin brought passion and conviction to everything he did. Patti Gilford and Lela Hersh have been such an inspiration to me as Chicago advisors.
Best Advice:
I had a boss quote me Yoda’s famous “Do or do not—there is no try.” Truer words have never pushed a deal over the line.
Philanthropy:
March Fourth and Share our Spare
My Weakness:
Caffeine
Mantra:
Every day is all there is.
Soulmate:
My husband, kids and dog
Book At Bedside:
Lena Dunham’s Famesick
Theme Song To Your Life:
“Daylight” by Taylor Swift
Favorite Work Of Art:
René Magritte’s “Time Transfixed” from 1938
Local Haunt:
True Juice
Zodiac:
Gemini
Emmy Colton
The Winnetka entrepreneur is setting the table for the next generation with a sophisticated yet accessible new tabletop line.
Some of life’s most memorable moments happen around the table, and Emmy Colton has built a brand to honor exactly that. The founder of Sally Splash (sallysplash.com) drew her inspiration from her grandmother Sally (aka “Splash”), whose beautifully set table always made children feel like they belonged. Colton has translated those welcoming vibes into stylish placemats designed to elevate everyday family meals and celebrations alike. Based in Winnetka with her husband and two children, Colton’s personal style leans toward the timeless (think Ralph Lauren, Chanel and vintage Louis Vuitton), and the Brigham Young University graduate is passionate about historic homes and thoughtful entertaining. This fall, Colton (a Scottsdale, Ariz. native) is taking Sally Splash on the road with trunk shows across the country and also planning a New England trip with her family—proof that, for her, style and togetherness always share a seat.
Wake-Up Time:
6:30 a.m.
Morning Skincare:
Gentle cleanser, vitamin C and a good tinted moisturizer
Beauty Essential:
Hydrating first thing in the morning
Signature Scent:
Byredo Mojave Ghost
My Aesthetic In 3 Words:
Timeless, collected, inviting
My Uniform:
Ralph Lauren baseball cap, sweater draped over my shoulders, vintage sunglasses and Chanel ballet flats.
Fave Luxury Bag:
My mom’s vintage Louis Vuitton duffel
Essential Jewelry:
My grandmother’s sapphire ring, my mom’s gold hoops, my wedding band
Fashion Icon:
Ralph Lauren
Fave Hotel:
Villa d’Este, Lake Como
Fave Movie:
The Parent Trap
Fave Tv Show:
Love Island
Current Workout:
Half-marathon training
Mentor:
My mother-in-law
Best Advice:
There’s room for everyone.
Philanthropy:
March Fourth
My Weakness:
Estate sales
Mantra:
Everyone deserves a seat at the table.
Soulmate:
Thomas
Bedtime:
10 p.m.
Book At Bedside:
Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten
Streaming Now:
Football season. I’m a huge sports fan.
Favorite Work Of Art:
Claude Monet’s Water Lilies
Local Haunt:
Towne & Oak
Desert Island Essentials:
My family, an Eric Javits hat and a mahjong travel set
Zodiac:
Capricorn