21. Taeste Buddies: Chrissy Rutherford
On learning to cook, a custom leather trench coat, and manifesting.
Hello from Martha’s Vineyard where I’m on a mini vacay celebrating my friend Amanda’s upcoming marriage. For this week’s Taeste Buddies, my friend Chrissy Rutherford is here! Formerly of Harper’s Bazaar, she’s now a writer (she has her own newsletter FWRD joy), consultant, and mental health advocate who splits her time between New York with her parents and London. As someone who has known Chrissy for many years now, one thing I’ve always respected is her transparency and willingness to share how she’s doing the work in her life — whether it be sharing details of her dating experiences, to challenging career expectations. She knows more about astrology than I could ever claim to understand, and if you’re ever looking for new books on self discovery, she has a whole reading list highlight on her Instagram that I highly recommend. I hope you enjoy!
Aemilia: How do you define taste? What makes "good" taste?
Chrissy: Having an eye for aesthetically pleasing things. Of course, taste is subjective, but I think those of us who have good taste know the difference between someone who has good taste and someone whose taste is good, just not the same as our own or is flat-out bad.
Can you share an outfit that represents your style?
It's so hard to find a photo that really represents my style as a whole because my style can be all over the place sometimes. However, I really love this look, and it has all the elements that I like in one look. It's polished and feminine, the knee high leather boots make it feel a little sexy, but also the oversize trench adds a little masculine touch. It feels balanced.
What was the last great thing you purchased?
I just went vintage shopping in Austin, TX, and I got the perfect ‘90s Celine LBD and an adorable vintage Kenzo cocktail dress.
What was the last great thing you made?
I’ve been trying to cook more. I don’t want to be able to do it all, I just want a few recipes that I know I can make well. My latest dish has been this delightful spicy tomato pasta. My friend Natalie Chassay created the recipe.
Learning how to make this pasta made me realize that you don't need to buy store-made sauce; it's very easy to make your own. I hate to admit it, but a man (my ex-boyfriend) inspired me to start learning to cook —only because he was so good at it!
Where do you think your sense of taste comes from?
I think both of my parents and our Jamaican heritage have definitely influenced my taste. Caribbean style is sooo specific. My dad has always been into fashion; his mom was a seamstress, so I feel like it’s in our blood. Also, I grew up obsessed with magazines and really studied them.
What interests you about fashion?
I’ve always been on the creative end of the industry, and since I got out of publishing I find myself fascinated by the business aspects—how brands are thriving or declining, marketing, investors, all that yadda yadda.
It’s also probably due to the fact that the industry is in a pretty precarious place right now, a lot of people are struggling so I think there are lessons to be learned from those who are doing it well and those who maybe aren’t doing as well.
I also love that our industry really has its own language—and I love having discussions about the industry, like who’s going to be the new creative director of Chanel, with people who really get it.
What do you wear the most?
This leather coat I had custom made by my dad's tailor is probably the thing I wear the most. I love it so much.
How would you describe your personal style?
I think my personal style is feminine and polished. I always like to look put together but not overly styled.
What’s the last inspiration pic you took or saved?
Diplo's home in Jamaica was just featured in Arch Digest and it is a dream house. My parents are from Jamaica and it's a very special place to me.
I love photos of black hairstyles. Every black girl (including myself) wore these little baubles in their hair as kids, but it's cool to see it grown up.
What is something outside of fashion that inspires or excites you?
I’ve always been drawn to interior design and beautiful homes.
What’s something unexpected you have really good taste in?
I don’t think this is unexpected, but I have great taste in music. I’ve gone through so many different music phases in my life from emo to alternative, to electronic, and then pop, R&B, and hip hop have been the mainstays in my rotation. I’ve been an early listener of many artists who have become superstars like Sza, Dua Lipa, Rosalia, Kings of Leon, and James Blake.
What’s most precious to you?
My cat is my most precious item!! He's *technically* my parent's cat, but I picked him out so I also say he's mine.
Can you share any recommendations?
- A Summer Read: I am reading The Source by Tara Swart. It’s basically a book about how to manifest and it’s written by a neuroscientist.
I just screen shot the pic of Diplo’s place in Jamaica(?) I wanted to study the library