Taeste Buddies: Anny Choi
On working at Vogue, secondhand Céline, and the fashion group chat.
Welcome to another edition of Taeste Buddies. It’s a bi-weekly interview series that explores the idea of taste: How it’s shaped by our identities and spurred by our creativity. Each edition I chat with someone whose taste I admire, whether as a friend or from afar.
Meet Anny! A fashion world friend with an impeccable eye for shopping secondhand runway looks. I still think about this Raf for Calvin Klein dress she owns. Anny spent many years rising through the ranks at Vogue before decamping to London for a few years (I was lucky enough to enjoy wine and snacks in her apartment across the pond). Now, she’s back and working as a bridal stylist. I’ve always admired Anny’s humor and openness — she’s not a gatekeeper! But, I also appreciate that she’s a capital-F “Fashion girl” in a way that I’ve never quite managed to be, runway looks and all (TIL in this interview: she hates jeans!). I hope you enjoy!
How do you define your personal taste? What makes "good" taste?
I never knew how to answer this because my personal taste so depends on my mood each day. So I sent it in a group chat with all of my fashion people for the last interview I did and here is what they came back with; Intentional, strategic, and refined with a side of curveball.
The people with the best tastes in my opinion are those who stay true to themselves but are also not afraid to try something new and take risks. You can tell these people always feel comfortable and confident in whatever they are wearing and they are not trying to be something that they are not. They own their style, whatever that may be.
It also doesn’t mean it should be one note (I’m so over quiet luxury) or that you shouldn’t follow trends. It’s about buying the “It” shoe of the season but styling it in a way that makes sense for you. Taste is also so subjective so I think the most important thing to remember is to own it!
I was looking back at photos from pre-covid recently and cringed at a lot of my outfits but remember feeling like hot shit at the time. Some outfits I would still wear today. It’s a process of trial and error and my style is constantly evolving.
What was the last great thing you purchased?
Some rugs for my apartment in Tangier and a 1997 Chanel runway black dress for under $500 (with a combination of store credits and some promo codes!)
What was the last great thing you made?
I made my flight to Paris last month by the skin of my teeth. Just kidding! But does it count? I’m always running on to flights. In all seriousness… I made a wreath from scratch over the holidays which I was very proud of. It reminded me to work with my hands more and let myself create more.
My friend Georgina’s dad hosted a group of us for this very festive evening and it reminded me how therapeutic it is to get out of your head for a few hours while working with your hands to create something.
What’s the thing you wear or use the most?
This coat from The Row via TRR (similar here) has been a go-to winter coat for the last four years! It was probably one of my greatest finds that also has one of the most thrilling purchase stories.
Also these Old Céline boots. I have two pairs of these because they are the greatest boots ever made. Both pairs sourced from The Real Real. When I like something I always buy multiples when I can because I know I’ll wear it to shreds.
Where do you think your sense of taste or point of view comes from?
I grew up dancing and went on to be a theatre major before I pursued a career in fashion. Looking back, I think it was the costumes on stage that always fascinated me. My earliest childhood memories include playing dress up in my dance costumes long after the recital and adding my own touches with items concocted from random household items.
A lot of people are like, Oh, I got it from my grandmother or I was born with it. My mom paints and is very creative in her own way, but I didn't grow up with fashion people in my life. I learned it from working in the industry and touching so many clothes, seeing other people's point of views, gathering all the data and then making it my own.
Like, oh, this stylist likes x, but this stylist likes z, and here's why. I can feel ten T-shirts from Hanes to The Row, and then I can choose three, and I can make those mine.
Did you always want to work in fashion?
I wanted to be a dancer. Now I feel okay saying this… I wasn't really good enough. I honestly just wasn't. I loved it, but I auditioned at all these places and didn't get in. So I was in the experimental theater wing, rolling around on the floor, talking about our feelings and all of that. As I was getting close to graduating, I was like, “I don't really know how to apply this into the real world.” All of my friends were already interning around the city, so I was like, “Okay, let me just start interning.” The first internship was at Joffrey Ballet, and then the next person that hired me was Anne Bowen, a bridal designer. Then Harper’s Bazaar and Julia von Boehm. It wasn't an active decision to make it in fashion.
Working at Vogue really helped me hone in on my point of view. During my journey from an intern to a market editor I covered everything from childrenswear, to swimwear, to denim, tees and extras (which was basically whatever the senior editors didn’t want to cover) before I got my hands on the most prestigious French & American markets. Covering extras for the shoots was probably the biggest learning experience for me because it helped me think outside of the box. If a Prada look wasn’t available to shoot, I had to concoct that look from contemporary designers. This exercise sparked my love for mixing high-low as well as discovering new brands.
Working under some of the best fashion editors and helping see their creative vision to life also helped me realize my personal taste. Pulling clothes for a Grace Coddington shoot was very different from pulling clothes for Camilla Nickerson.
How has your work inspired or informed your personal style?
So much has changed since I started as an intern at Vogue, up until now. I think also, I'm 32 now, but turning 30 was a whole wardrobe refresh moment that happened to coincide with coming out of the pandemic. I was confused and didn’t want to wear any of my old clothes anymore.
Working in editorial when you're representing this one brand, and you work with very like minded people, you want to take risks. You want to wear the latest thing because people recognize those runway pieces or get the look. Comfort took a back seat.
Now working with clients, it's not about me at all, and I have to take a back seat. I'm working towards someone else's big moment, and they should be the center of attention. Now I dress for work in the complete opposite way, where I have three pairs of trousers and three sweaters that I wear on rotation. I still want to look put-together, especially when I'm out there in professional settings, but I'm not gonna show up to an appointment with the bridal client in like Prada look 12.
What’s an outfit that represents your personal style?
Look 1: Colleen Allen set, The Row mesh flats and & Daughter sweater. Colleen is one of my favorite designers at the moment! I love the silhouette that’s so easy to wear but the pop of color is a fun addition to my otherwise pretty neutral wardrobe. Colleen made me fall in love with color again.
Look 2: Colleen Allen fleece (one left in orange!), Prada skirt + Old Céline boots. Clearly I’m feeling this monochromatic look this winter!
Look 3: Here is a skirt from an old Céline collection! It’s from Resee. Attersee sweater (I’ve had people ask if it was Hermes / Alaia!!), same Old Céline boots and necklace is Dorsey. I really don’t stray too far from what I know and like clearly…
How did you transition to the bridal space?
After almost 7 years at Vogue in editorial having the opportunity to work with so many brands I wanted to know what it would be like to work in-house. At Metier I learned about customer touch points at every level and the content needs at every step of the process. At Vogue I learned how to come up with a concept, how to style and how to pull clothes for those shoots and at a brand, I learned to fully produce a shoot from the ground up with absolute creative control which I very much enjoyed… [chat more]
I didn’t mean to end up in bridal but all of this training helps me so much in working and translating it to real people. [Vogue Runways’s Global Director] Nicole Phelps had me do an exercise when I wanted to leave Conde Nast to write down what I liked and didn’t like about the job. At the time I thought I wanted to go into another field completely, but I’m actually doing everything I was doing at Vogue in a completely different context.
A photo from a recent trip that is meaningful to you - where did you go - what is the picture of?
My friend Monica is the travel expert and you can read about our incredible trip here! I bring the good vibes and the eagerness to shop which Monica appreciates.
I’m wearing a vintage blouse from Plain Goods that I got from the Stissing House Craft Fair, my go-to travel pants by Alex Mill because I hate wearing jeans!! And the & daughter sweater that I would wear everyday if I could. Attersee wrap that is also a travel staple)
What’s most precious to you?
Right now, these rugs I got in Tangier last month! I haggled as much as I could but still think I got ripped off slightly… Hopefully in the years to come I can look back and laugh at the experience every time I step on these rugs.
What’s something unexpected you have really good taste in?
I think I’m pretty predictable lol!!
I would say I’m a pretty adventurous eater and have good taste in food. I learned how to cook during Covid and have been making myself some very extravagant meals for myself.
Can you share a few recommendations that you’re excited about?
One of my greatest prides is having friends in other creative industries that I can go to for their expertise!! I always find the best shows to watch, books to read, places to eat from them.
My friend Margaux who works in TV production recently told me to watch Pachinko which turned out to be one of the best shows I’ve watched recently. I sobbed every. single. episode. Also read Pachinko by Min Jin Lee in three days after binging the show.
I go to my friend Monica for all things travel and am so excited for her new Substack!
My friend Marley keeps me up to date on what’s happening in the theatre world. She took me to go see The Effect at the Shed last year that was incredible and I’m hoping it comes back on Broadway. I’m excited to go see Othello and Vanya this year and A Streetcar Named Desire at BAM!
I’m always asking for book recommendations from those I trust. I read The Bee Sting by Paul Murray (recommended by Emily Farra who is a former Vogue Editor and now Director of Brand Comms at Tory) which I couldn’t put down!
Kim Ji-Young, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-ju was absolutely heartbreaking but changed my life. My mom and I read this one together actually.
I’ve also been on a Virginia Woolf kick since I went to see ABT’s Woolf Works last year. There are upcoming performances in June 2025.
I had my birthday at Cellar 36 last year which is this cute little natural wine bar in Chinatown. My friend Yohana recommended it and of course she has the best taste when it comes to these things.
I’m obsessed with Takuto Sushi in Paris. This is where I go to eat as I land in Paris.
Odetta Vintage in Paris – they have the best curation of Old Céline, Prada, YSL and so on.
Stissing House and whatever Clare de Boer tells me to eat. I’m still dreaming about this chewy ginger cake.
Non-branded fine jewelry on The Real Real. I’ve been finding some literal hidden gems at a fraction of the price.
Ludwig Reiter has the best winter and snow boots. Austrian heritage brand.
I’m also really into that brand Literary Sport! The pieces I’ve tried have been chic AND highly functional.
Anny! The old Celine skirt is something I’ll loose sleep over
love this 💕