12 years ago by
I met Doris in Garrison, the same day I went to visit Nic and J.B. She came to the door (she’s their neighbor) dressed exactly as she is in the photo with a big smile across her face. She asked us if we wanted some coffee and offered us a tour of her impeccably decorated house.
She’s just so fascinating… Doris has worked in New York in fashion, magazines, and design. She had such a passionate professional life. And then one day, when it was time to turn over a new leaf, she moved to Garrison.
Since she’s so irresistible, I had to ask her a few questions…
Can you tell me a little about your career background?
I had studied to be a fashion illustrator and then realized that I really preferred putting the images together in a layout, designing the space that they went in more than I enjoyed doing the actual drawings. I started my career out of art school in New Jersey and began working in 1942.
For the most part, I worked as a creative marketing executive in what a lot of people call department stores, but essentially they are fashion stores. My first job was an assistant art director then I became an art director and creative director [Doris worked at Frederick Loeser, Franklin Simon, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales and A&S]. It was a marvelous experience. I stayed in the business, retailing and department stores, just about the entire time. I felt as though I really understood and had empathy for the customers of these stores.
How have you seen the fashion industry change?
In the 1980s and 90s, there was a new spirit in fashion. Women were working, real career women were beginning to take their place very strongly in the world. I myself was quietly moving through this era of women being liberated. I wasn’t what you call a feminist, but I was able to understand the roll of women in business and how they would like to dress.
It’s evolved, the changes are not abrupt. The main difference that I see really is that there isn’t really a strong direction now. It’s hard to know what you call fashion now. There is no major trend, people are much more individual. They have their own style and they are much more eclectic. I would imagine that the major change is that people don’t want to be told what to wear.
When you look back at your career, what are some of your proudest moments?
I think probably the purest moment, the moment that was really surprising and made me feel so uplifted was being asked to join Saks Fifth Avenue. The experience there was really beautiful. The high point of my time at Saks was the presentation that we did for the 50th anniversary [in 1974]. In terms of advertising that was produced within my time, that was probably one of the most important things we did.
When you moved to Garrison did you miss the atmosphere of New York?
I wanted to get away because I didn’t like being on the fringe of the world that I had been working with. I just wanted to stay in touch with it. I love the country and had been up in Garrison for quite a few years, spending weekends and even rented houses in the summer and shared them with two friends from New York, so I was very familiar with the place. I have loads of friends up here, really terrific friends.
Doris with Ralph Lauren.
You live in such a cool, modern feeling space. Where do you find your inspirations for your personal style and for your home?
I’m really a classicist in that sense. I look to the originators of modern design, mid-century design. It’s that purity of design that is the most appealing to me. My natural bend is toward major graphic simplicity. It’s minimalist. I like clean space, white space, black space.
Which designers inspire you?
Minimalist architect John Pawson, jewelry and decorative object designer Ted Muehling, Tord Boontje, Jil Sander and Phoebe Philo at Celine.
What are some of your favorite websites?
NY Times T Magazine, J.Crew–mostly because it’s graphically well-designed and fresh, and TED. I don’t spend a lot of time on the internet because I still prefer print to stay current. The New York Times, The New Yorker, New York Magazine and books.
Any tips for aging gracefully?
I’m proud of my age! I will be 91 this September!
I just bought a book by Eliel Saarinen and he dedicated the book to the young of all ages and his theory, and it’s mine as well, is that if you stay young in spirit and stay in touch with everything that is around you, then you will have a young spirit. That has been very important to me. If you keep yourself open to new ideas and whatever is going on in the world, then that keeps you young.
My advice for aging individuals: keep moving and involved; eat sensibly and continue to enjoy wine and/or other spirited drinks. Most importantly, stay in the loop of currents, trends.
Okay, we have to know, where did you get your glasses?! They are SOOO cool!
So many people stop me in the street and ask me that question! They are Liz Claiborne. They were really frames for sunglasses and I just liked them and had my lenses put in. I’ve had these glasses for maybe 20 years.
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What an inspiring and graceful woman.
Thanks for another great profile and introduction.
~Natasha Fatah~
Elle respire la tranquillité … Vivement que je l’ai moi aussi !
http://www.younglington.wordpress.com
I love when you show us inspiring older women. She’s had such a fascinating career as well, witnessing great social evolutions revolutionizing the way people dress. I think her analysis on current consumer evolutions – i.e. people not liking to being told how to dress anymore – is spot on. Really inspiring.
Elisa
Wandering Minds fashion
http://www.ourwanderingminds.com
quelle modernité dans ces propos ! je souhaiterai vieillir comme elle . rester dans le coup sans tomber dans le “jeunisme”. la grande classe .
merci garance de nous faire partager ce moment avec doris .
Beaucoup de grâce et sérénité.
Gaby Lang,
http://gabylang.blogspot.ca/
wow, what a wonderful lady!
Those photos are so precious. Thank you for making this post, it’s very inspiring.
aspiringforever.blogspot.com
Super article! J’adore son style. C’est une super inspirations ces femmes épanouies!
Bises
Bénédicte
http://www.begetsee.com
Où sont les flèches pour pouvoir plonger encore plus dans son univers? :)
Cette phrase me parle:
“Je désirais m’éloigner parce que je ne voulais pas rester en marge d’un monde dans lequel j’avais travaillé. Je voulais juste rester en contact avec lui.”
J’espère qu’à son âge j’aurai autant de caractère! :)
http://www.loulune.wordpress.com
Ohlala ! Je crois que de toutes les personnes que tu as interviewé, c’est elle que je préfère !! Elle a un petit côté Iris Apfel en plus classique.
Gros gros coup de coeur ! Je crois que je veux vieillir comme elle.
(elle me touche d’autant plus qu’elle a le même âge que ma grand-mère, qui est resté très jeune dans sa tête ! La preuve pour ses 90 ans, elle a demandé un iPad en cadeau !)
Bon week-end Garance !
She is really cool… amazing woman… thanks for sharing this great interview. I think her glasses give her a lot of personal style!
xoxo
M.
http://www.mesvoyagesaparis.com/
Yes, again a woman at age!!!
Super! We can learn so much from them!
(I recently learned that since I am a bit older now, too)
Besos from Santa Cruz/Bolivia
Patricia
http://www.patriciayclea.com
Glad to see interest in women of a certain age. Would love to see pictures of her house and how she lives. Very inspirational. Thank you
fascinating!
Mais quelle femme!
Elle est superbe, spirituelle, et tellement attachante.
et ses lunettes, whaou!
très beau portrait qui nous donne à toutes envie de lui ressembler en avançant en âge.
bises
I love these profiles of very interesting people, that are not celebrities! Keep working on this, Garance! Suggestions for other interviews (looong ones): jenna lyons, Inés de la Fressange…
J’aime beaucoup cette interview, merci !
Une personne charmante qui a manifestement les pieds sur terre… avec des lunettes incroyables qui montrent certainement son espièglerie.
Nathalie
Un interview vraiment intéressant et qu’elle dame!
Théa Unknown
http://theaisunknown.blogspot.fr/
What an amazing inspirational post! Love it! Her apartment looks so chic and her clothing style is so modern and totally suits her. Sounds like she has had a really interesting career and it is great that she is so involved with current trends.
http://illustratedlines.blogspot.co.uk/
That picture of her and Ralph Lauren is so amazing. It’s so cool how you get to meet these people and let us meet them in a way :)
Jennifer
The White Studio
cette femme a l’air petillante!!!
quelle belle lecon!!
http://fashionspaghettini.blogspot.fr/
http://fashionspaghettini.blogspot.fr/
You know, she’s a living example that you’ve got to keep current, learn new things and have friends of all ages in order to stay youthful and vibrant. Fascinating lady!
Elle ne fait pas du tout son âge, quelle belle lecon de vie
oh Garance, j’adore ton franglais ! ;) tu as eu une chance folle de “visiter” Doris, ce genre de rencontre, ça donne sacrément la pêche !
cet échange me fait penser aux entretiens du livre Wisdom d’Andrew Zuckerman, so inspiring
Your most inspiring post ever. This is style. Nothing else, just style. (And elegance!)
nice one, thank you.
she is amazing and what an inspiration to all of us. i will take her advice with mucho gusto. thanks for this wonderful piece.
truly an inspirational woman! her life sounds so fantastic.
xx, http://wordbyjessie.com/
Possibly the chicest woman ever!
Oh so inspiring! Beautiful and a great role model! <3
She looks so pretty in grey with her big glasses!!
Checkout my custom made for you fall fashions at The Crafty Rascal
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheCraftyRascal?section_id=11781320
Quand j’ai lu son age, j’ai failli tomber a la renverse ! Cette interview est celle que je prefere car j’aime tout en Doris : son parcours, son style vestimentaire et decoratif.
Elle represente tout ce que j’aurais voulu faire et tout ce que je voudrais devenir.
By the way, j’adore ses photos en noir et blanc.
What a privilege!! I would have loved a live tour of her home!!
What great inspiration for aging with grace and staying curious about life!
cool interview!!! i like her style!!1
http://thestelstyle.com/
Inspiring woman!
And such impeccable taste!
Loved reading this.
Elle est d’une jeunesse et d’une beauté rafraichissante ;-) Un modèle à suivre sans aucun doute…
Stilo
http://blogdastilo.blogspot.pt
Wow, what a wonderfully inspiring woman!
I hope to forever stay young in spirit, just like Doris.
This is a great way for me to start my morning! She seems like such an interesting person and so aware of the things going on in the world.
And I agree with the fact that older people need to involve themselves in the world and experience everything. But it’s also the job of the younger people around them (like their kids and grandkids) to integrate them to. Rather than secluding them in homes, they should get to see the world more.
Lovely interview!
http://herribbonsandherbows.blogspot.co.uk/
Oh boy! 91 ans!!! … cette femme a une classe et une présence folle!
x
Doris is amazing! She has such a lovely outlook on life — great style too. I’m so inspired. Thank you for sharing her with us.
Pour un peu je n’aurais plus peur de vieillir en lisant ton article…
Quelle classe et quelle sérénité !
Cet article m’a beaucoup touché car je pense également qu’en restant jeune dans sa tête et ouvert aux autres le temps a moins d’emprise sur le physique :)
You can see the sparkle – young in spirit and beauty! We can only hope to look so good at 91!
life/style blog at http://intrigueimports.wordpress.com
Thank you so much for this wonderful article. It´s still seldom to find such portrait of older women. They still seem to disappear at the age of about fifty! Look at all these bloggers – are there any older than forty (that´s an optimistic point of view)!!!
Oh, j’adore!
I love how you made a post about an older stylish women, she is a breath of fresh air at 91!!!!
wow and she is 91… I would have said much much younger!
She looks amazing and have such a great classical style!
I would love to be like her when I will be older!
http://www.madarafreimane.blogspot.com
Great story.
Thanks for this profile. I love her- so refreshing and inspiring.
Je veux être une femme aussi belle que Doris à 91 ans !
Thank you so much Garance for all your posts. So inspiring. So many beautiful people around. Special thank you for updating your blog daily. My every day starts with your blog: your photos, your remarks, interviews. Viva Garance!
C’est beau d’etre aussi cool a 91 ans !
Such an inspiring and positive interview! Thank you for sharing Doris and her story of being so heavily involved in the fashion industry. I agree with her comment about fashion being multidirectional and “not knowing what to call fashion now.” Everyone has their personal sense of style, trends, and what they think looks “fashionable.” Have a fantastic weekend!
xoxo,
nat
http://www.natseesstyle.com
superbe portrait, superbe femme
What a lovely woman!
And yes I agree..this is style!!!
Bisous
Je suis admirative!
J’ai décidé d’en faire ma troisième mamie, elle est géniale.
Ca me fait penser que j’ai testé l’application qui “vieillit” sur l’iphone aujourd’hui. Le résultat était… terrifiant.
Le secret réside peut-être dans la monture, s’agirait de m’en procurer une.
Très beau post, les anciens ont tellement à nous apprendre,
Lionel.
http://thetrendytrooper.blogspot.fr
Thank you for delivering this poignant interview, this is a “my favorite”
Trop chou , l’article sur cette femme est très intéressant et j’adore à chaque fois connaître les premiers pas des gens de la mode , ça rassure , ça me rassure je sais pas pourquoi , et quelle classe malgré son âge , en fait non il n’y pas d’âge pour être classe :) !
What a delightful post! Thank you so much, Garance. The interview and photos are wonderful and the lady is truly inspiring!
Truly inspiring.
And honestly- she can pass for 60. Wow.
Perfection! Doris *defines* style. She makes (almost) everyone else look overdone & as if they’re trying too hard.
91 ans!! Elle ne les fait vraiment pas… J’espère aussi vive dans 57 ans :)
She’s beautiful and precious. A class act!
PLEASE more posts like this!!
I have the same philosophy about living and aging. Although I am few decades behind her it’s nice to see it is serving her well and is inspiring.
Thank you so much.
Oooh my word, she is a DOLL! She doesn’t look anything close to 90. I love her smile and glasses. She lights up her classic, minimalistic house. Love this interview!
xoxo
http://www.thewrittenrunway.com
pourtant pas une fan absolue de ballerine, je trouve que Doris leur donne une élégance rarissime
matching her corbusier…great style
Oh, no! Our secret is out of the bag — Doris’ friends all know her to be the most creative and inspiring lady. Thanks for sharing what we all know to be true. She is one of a kind and a genuine treasure.
A lire cette interview, je trouve cette femme on ne peut plus dans le temps d’aujourd’hui. J’adhère totalement à sa pensée ! Je la trouve aussi magnifique, elle est radieuse ! J’espère Garance que tu partageras encore avec nous le récit de vos futures recontres à toutes les deux :). Autre chose, ça me semble tellement évident de tenir compte de l’avis de ces pionniers de la mode aujourd’hui, à l’heure où celle-ci est tellement plus que des marques et des designers. C’est toujours un plaisir de connaître l’avis de ces personnes qui ont connu plus que nous et anticipent mieux les phénomènes de son élaboration telle qu’on la constate aujourd’hui ! Super interview !
OMG 91 you look amazing
Bonsoir,
Sans aucun doute, working girl, ça conserve.
http://urbanjustine.blogspot.fr/
I love this woman! OMG i wish I will look like her at 70 or 60. And I liked her advice about aging. To stay involved what’s happening in the world. Many people suggests just the opposite, but I think its good to have knowledge what young people do and about things changing. I like the eating and wine drinking advice too. Great. What a lovely woman, and she is SO graceful, SO beautiful! Thanks Garance for this lovely post!
91?! She looks fantastic!
Obviously, she’s amazing.
Obviously, I want to be as cool as she is when I’ll be 91.
http://thegirlabroad.wordpress.com/
Doris is beautiful and so stylish. Her philosophy for living a wonderful life is inspiring. Bravo Garance, love your blog.
Love this post!! Really the best (and that’s saying something, because they are all fabulous). What a beautiful, inspiring lady.
Thank you Garance.
Une Grande dame (qui vieillit super bien)
and she wears her spectacles with that confidence you only acquire with age, we can all be inspired!
x
Quelle beauté ! Quelle classe ! Et merci à Doris pour ses précieux conseils. J’aurai rêvé d’avoir une grand-mère comme elle. Je m’efforcerai donc d’être – à l’avenir – une grand-mère comme elle.
Wow! The second woman over 90 that I’ve come across on-line this week, thanks for posting this! So inspiring and encouraging to see graceful aging with style and class!
Merci Garance for sharing the inspiring people that you meet. She is such an inspiration and a great example of aging gracefully!
What an incredible and inspirational woman – and 91! Amazing! This has made my day.
a truly wise lady
It is so easy when you are young to look good, but Doris is absolutely gorgeous, inside and out. A woman who has truly lived her life fully, and it shows. Her spirit, her intelligence, her sense of humor… all make her the beauty that she is. Young women, take note… this is a true woman.
Patricia
she looks lovely.
When I opened your blog today and saw the picture of Doris, I was 1000000% sure it was Iris Apfel :-)
What an amazing woman.
http://www.apfaboulous30s.blogspot.com
She is the Deborah Szekely of style and fashion.
This may be my favorite interview of yours to date!
Thanks for this one, Garance. What a beautiful, stylish, intelligent and inspirational woman!
I can’t believe she’s 91, wow, she looks great!
Thank you for sharing with us; it’s always sooooo inspiring to meet women (and men) that have lived a ‘full’ life and are still enjoying it!
Baci xx
Merci!
PS : dommage qu’il n’y ait pas plus de photos, ou une vidéo. J’aurais adoré la voir bouger et entendre sa voix.
She’s inspiring, motivating and encouraging. Love the fact that there are such people somewhere in the world- with a beautiful history and enjoying life!
une vie bien remplie, on veut toute la même?!
http://www.classy-dressing.com
This…and no other way…is how I want to be when I am 91!!
Peroxide Blonde
theperoxideblonde.blogspot.com
love!
http://oppositelipstick.blogspot.be
What a truly splendid lady. Well done ma’am.
Doris is one of THE most interesting and lovely people you have ever interviewed. She is a classic, classy woman.
Love Doris! What a great post!
Thanks for posting this profiles! So inspiring!
Kisses from Argentina
I am so appreciative that you have been doing interviews with older women. I always wonder why we shove older people aside, as if experience is irrelevant. Beautiful – keep it up!! Doris looks like someone I would would want to know.
Pour moi qui avance en age (j’ai 53 ans), je trouve que sa personnalite pleine de grace et d’ enthousiasme, de curiosite et d’ouverture donne espoir dans la vie. Quelle belle lecon! J’aimerais la rencontrer.
She’s very inspiring! I share her interest in clean, minimal design. Amazing that she will soon by 91!
she looks great! x
Thanks for the interview and pictures. She gives me an idea of how I’ll be at her age.
My God! She must be twin to Iris Apfel!!
http://chicorychai.blogspot.in/2012/03/ageless-wonder.html
She reminds me of Iris Apfel. Great interview!
http://www.lebazhaar.com
Thank you so much for sharing her insights. As an older woman I have made it a point to stay current and it works. She’s right on.
she shines from within…truly a lovely inspiration!
Une très belle rencontre avec cette femme inspirante. Merci !
What a wonderful women! Thanks for sharing with us!
One of my favorite biographies you have done- what an inspiring woman!
J’ai vraiment apprécié ce post.
Thanks for introducing her, Garance. What an inspiration! She makes 91 looks easy and fun.. I hope I can be like her when I am in my 90s.. : )
Mind-blowing. I find myself not being able to follow all the trends, especially in technology and I’m only 25. I often wonder how very lost in the world I’m gonna be, when I grow old …
This lady has just given me courage to start changing this, while I still have time to do so.
Thank you Garance, our online friend!
I so enjoyed meeting Doris, she is an inspiration! I’m in midlife and she really has great advice for having a youthful spirit and staying relevant. Adorable style, smart and stylish! I hope to be so fabu at 91! Here’s to Doris ;-)
And I have so many questions for her! Especially about her career a trend setter in the 40s starting her career. I wonder how she managed work, life and her views on life then vs today….do a part two with Doris!!
Love love loved this interview! I hope I’m half as interesting and evolved when I’m her age (assuming I do get to live to that age of course!!)
Elle est tout simplement adorable cette jeune femme:)
Enorme cette interview, Garance!! Doris nous donne une vraie lecon de vie, elle a tout compris, et quelle emotion de lire ces lignes, empreintes d’empathie et d’humilité avec une presence au monde , en parellele si forte………..
WOW
Elle est superbe!
My jaw practically dropped when she said she was going to be 91!!!
lovely sharing Garance! powerful, beautiful, wise women are so inspiring! more of that! it’s better than delicious ice cream! :)
Oh god I LOVE this interview and that PORTRAIT! And I love her and her aesthetic and her grace and wise words.
Did you really just stumble upon her? It’s like finding Wonderland!
Thanks Garance.
How inspiring! Merci!
Fantastic!! Just Fantastic! <3
I am very honored to know this woman…she is generous, intelligent, witty, gorgeous, and talented…this article is so very lovely!
Garance,
Where can I find more information on the career of this alluring and accomplished woman? I am seeking inspiration and guidance, and I would love to read more about her, short of having a coffee date with her.
Merci,
Melissa
Back in the early 70s i worked for Doris at Franklin Simon designing the store graphic look.
Doris was always creative & inspiring and wonderful to work for.
Ralph Brown
Thank you for your beautiful comments and insights into a great woman. She was my great aunt and I miss her so. Searching the interwebs to see what I can find and your entry is such a delight!