In The Essentials | Coralie Langston-Jones
INTRODUCING IN THE ESSENTIALS: A series of interviews with long-time friends and customers, photographed in their favored pieces from our core collection of timeless, finely crafted essentials.
Shot at our Design Studio | Showroom in Berkeley
MEET CORALIE LANGSTON-JONES
Tell us a little about yourself and your background
I’m an advocate for the arts and design, and a longtime friend of Erica Tanov. My background is truly global–from my birthplace of Kuala Lumpur, growing up in Hong Kong, schooling in England, and now residing in Marin, California after a stint in Los Angeles. As a founding partner of a PR and communications firm specializing in architecture, design and luxury lifestyle brands, I am privileged to collaborate with extraordinary clients who shape the world through impeccable design and beauty. Above all, I am blessed to share my life with my husband Brett and our twin daughters Sophia and Jasmine.
How did you first discover Erica Tanov?
When I first moved to the Bay Area in 2000, a few years later I had met Erica Tanov at a marketplace bazaar of a very select group of designers. I was at once taken by her beautiful clothing collection and meeting the very stylish and sweet Erica Tanov herself.
In three words, how would you describe your personal style?
Undone, feminine, modern.
What kind of clothing feels most like you?
I feel that you really just need to know yourself, and then you feel like whatever you’re wearing, you’ll just look confident and comfortable. For me, I try to elongate my silhouette wherever possible. I love to pair the Isabelle skirt with a Patti blouse and I have multiple pieces in different colors and sizes depending on my mood. I will occasionally size up my Patti because I love playing with proportions and silhouettes. This combo of meticulously made clothes in either pure cottons, linens, silks or opulent textiles, worn with smart sneakers, makes me feel feminine, relaxed and pulled together.
Can you describe an outfit you feel best in?
I love to pair the stunning Erica Tanov Rekha linen dress (especially in ‘soft white’) with a silk slip underneath, and when it’s chilly, worn over the Darby pants. I love the weight of the soft linen and the hand embroidered details. It’s a very undone look, which I love. It makes me feel feminine and confident all at the same time.
Hands down, the Erica Tanov Patti blouse finds its way into my daily dressing routine. I like the way the natural fabrics feel against my skin. It is so versatile, worn with the button done up under a tailored jacket, or open-necked with a pair of jeans, in silk crepe de chine, linen or cotton. There are so many ways to wear it to feel confident and pretty. When it’s chilly I am always in my wool or cotton v-neck sweater; it’s finely spun and super soft and the side slits are a wonderful Erica Tanov detail. It goes with everything!
For me, feeling inspired comes from my gut. I just have a feeling. But, every time I go to London I visit the Serpentine Pavilion in Hyde Park, the annual architectural commission showcasing new temporary buildings by international architects. The commission has become an international source of inspiration, a go-to site for architectural experimentation. My favorite is one by Swiss architect Peter Zumthor. A simple structure of humble materials, Zumthor created quiet contemplative spaces within. At the heart of the pavilion was an atrium showcasing a stunning wild flower garden designed by the influential Dutch designer Piet Oudolf. We sat here for hours observing the dense spontaneous plantings of elegant irises, wild flowers and untamed grasses. Gardens and their life cycles fascinate me. They are a dynamic source of endless excitement and transformation. This impermanence of the natural world teaches me the beauty of embracing change and moving forward.
Brett and I will be in London this fall visiting our daughters who are studying there. My suitcase will be brimming with Erica Tanov ensembles in a color palette of black and white, which makes for creating outfits so much easier and reduces my urge of over-packing. My carry-ons are always the Egon weekender bag (for the duty free purchases on the return leg), plus the Eve tote fits my laptop. I can always count on my Lola slip dress; its bodice seams and vintage details are everything. It is perfectly suited for dining at a smart Mayfair restaurant or paired over jeans (or the Darby denim pants), while strolling down the Portobello antique market. The Lola slip dress is the workhorse of my travel suitcase!
