'I grew up in Toronto, Canada, but I’ve been in New York for almost 14 years. I studied Fine Arts in Montreal but I knew I wanted to be in fashion, so I applied to Fashion Institute of Technology and did another degree there. My first job out of school was assisting Nanette Lepore, and then I moved on to trend forecasting. After that, I co-founded Kiki De Montparnasse. I loved building and creating that brand...I had always had a passion for lingerie—I remember going into Agent Provocateur for the first time and being like, 'Oh my God!' There’s something so decadent about spending so much money on a pair of panties. I actually studied tailor design and ready-to-wear, but most of the designers that I admire—people like Alexander McQueen, John Galliano, Stella McCartney—reference lingerie in their work. Then, after Kiki, I moved on to Victoria’s Secret and now I design at Fleur du Mal. But I see our brand as more than just lingerie—it’s more of a point of view that could be anything from ready-to-wear to beauty, so that’s my goal for the future.
GETTING READYI actually get ready to go out at the office a lot, because it used to be my apartment, and I still have a lot of my personal things here. Before I go out, I’ll do a mask like Peter Thomas Roth FIRMx Peeling Gel, which makes my skin really smooth. I used to use the Clarins Gentle Peeling Smooth Away Cream, which you only have to leave on for one minute, but I decided to try something different and love it!
Then, I’ll usually put on some high-energy music on Hype Machine—some hip-hop or something. And I don’t like to go out hungry…I’ll get Juice Press or order from The Butcher’s Daughter or some pizza or something. We’ve got a little bar here, so if I have friends here to get ready with, then we’ll open a bottle of champagne—or, I really love a spicy tequila or a dirty gin martini.
Occasionally I’ll take a bath, but sometimes it makes me sleepy. I just use CVS Epsom Salt, or maybe an aromatherapy bath oil. I think it’s important to have a moment to relax in order to feel energized. On Halloween, we did Zeel, which is like Uber, but for massages! It was amazing. We were trying to decide whether to go out, and I was like ‘I’m gonna call a massage.’ After that, I was ready to go!
Now, I don’t have a lot of time to spend deciding my outfit but, I try to wear Fleur a lot. It always depends on how I’m feeling, but I think I have my own style—cool-but-chic, with a little sexy. I like a simple satin, black bra under a white shirt or T-shirt, and I like when you can see the texture of lace under something. Not tight, not sheer—just layering, like how women are wearing slips now. I think that if you accessorize, you can make a slip look like a dress. You just need the confidence to wear it that way and wear the right necklace, the right shoes. My number one muse was always Charlotte Rampling—I love her whole thing. And I love Jane Birkin…it’s that effortless look. She can be naked, but she can look really strong. That’s always been an inspiration for my brand.
HAIRI use the Moroccanoil Moisture Repair Shampoo, and—I don’t know why I use this—but I really like this Brazilian Blowout Acai Deep Conditioning Masque, which I use like a conditioner. I really like Living Proof's No Frizz Nourishing Styling Cream because I don’t put anything in my hair that’s sticky or silicone, and it’s got a lotion sort of feeling. It’s light, but it helps hold my hair a little bit. I have big wavy hair, so I do that stuff and then blow it out with a round brush. Sometimes I'll flat iron it. I like my hair wavy, but if I let it dry naturally, I would have to wait for four hours.
MAKEUPI love makeup. I’m obsessed with it. My favorite thing to do is to go into Sephora and look at all the new colors, but I buy almost everything online. As a designer, I like to put colors together. I really like that Tom Ford-esque, made-up look, and I like the ritual of getting ready. Even just putting makeup on in the morning...I enjoy it.
I always moisturize before I apply foundation. I have kind of combination skin that is more dry in the winter, and right now I like Dr. Hauschka’s Rose Day Cream Light—it smells so good. Then, I’ll use YSL Le Teint Touche Éclat Illuminating Foundation in Beige Dore 40 but I always find it hard to match my skin tone. We did an event with Temptuand sometimes I like their foundation, which I thought I’d never use. It's especially good for a long event or when it's humid during the summer because it stays on for a really long time. But, it’s hard to travel with, but I like it. Then, I’ll conceal—I really like the Giorgio Armani Maestro Eraser because it’s so light and blends with everything. And I love Nars' Day Dream for blush [ed note: limited edition] because it brightens up your face. In the summer, Nars' The Multiple is great.
Then, I do eyeshadow. I love Urban Decay’s Eyeshadow Primer Potion…it really works! Eyeshadow never stayed on for me, and I never thought I’d take the extra step of doing a primer, but it makes such a difference. Sometimes, if I do a really smokey eye, it starts getting up to my crease…and once that happens, it’s over. I love Charlotte Tilbury's Luxury Palette Color-Coded Eyeshadow Palette in The Dolce Vita and then liquid eyeliner. Right now I’m using Makeup Forever Aqua Liner in 13 Mat Black— it really stays on. I always curl my lashes and then apply mascara—I love the Lancôme Hypnôse Star Mascara in Black. For lips, I love Nars for color—things like Nars Audacious Lipstick in Fanny and in Brigitte. When I go red, I like Nars Lipstick in Manhunt. I definitely tried MAC's Russian Red, but it didn’t work for me, and I always have a hard time putting matte things on. I lick my lips a lot, and with a matte, you have to be disciplined.”
—as told to ITG
Jennifer Zuccarini photographed by Tom Newton.
