CHRISTIAN LEONE
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE AK PRODUCT AND WHY?
For myself, I love the AK Credit Card Case. It is perfect; it's chic and compact. I only carry my AMEX, driver's license and cash.
For women, the Long Corralita Clutch. I honestly think that there is nothing more glamorous than a woman who carries an oversized clutch. It's more practical than a small clutch and it is so much chicer than a large bag. No woman should ever show up to a cocktail party with a large bag...coming directly from work is no excuse!!
WHAT CAN YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT AND WHAT ARE YOUR LATEST OBSESSIONS?
Custom Vans and LL Bean Tote Bags - I am mad for anything custom
Monogrammed matches
Navy Blue Blazer (Martin Greenfield) - it is better to be overdressed than underdressed
Giorgio Armani Briefcase - it was a gift from Mr. Armani when I was working there
Vintage bar glasses - I am mad for everything in the 1960's
Roasted Chicken - I can eat it every night
CREED Silver Mountain Water
D. Porthault or Leontine bed linens - nothing makes me happier than getting into bed with lots of pillows and good linens ironed
Casa Morgano Hotel and La Fontelina Capri - just perfection
The sun and a heated swimming pool - tanning is my obsession
WHAT IS VAUNTE AND HOW DID IT START?
My business partner, Leah Park, whom I worked with at Gilt Groupe talked about starting a business together.... Vaunte ventures into the most coveted closets of today's top fashion insiders and tastemakers, blending editorial content with an e-commerce platform that allows exclusive members to purchase the actual designer merchandise available in each 'starlets' wardrobe.
Vaunte creates a truly experiential and unique shopping platform for its members by providing exclusive behind-the-scenes photography and interviews with each starlet. Along with access to the actual closets' high designer wares, clients will also have the ability to purchase, list product, comment, like, contact and be notified of new merchandise as it hits the site.
Leah came up with the initial concept, as she would shop from her sister's closet. There was a lot of work involved, but before we did anything we brought in another founder and CTO, Andy Shin, to run all of the tech. From there we started reaching out to our friends to profile them; we were very fortunate that they were supportive....
WHO OR WHAT INSPIRES YOU AND WHY?
People inspire me. I am extremely social and I flourish by the personal connections. I am forthcoming with information and therefore I receive information from others fluidly.
You work with some of the most stylish women in the world - what are some common themes & what is your style advice?
I have noticed that many of the women on Vaunte tend to favor T. Anthony Luggage, Moroccanoil Hair Treatment, Peony is their favorite flower and their favorite travel destination is Capri and Paris. These women are essentially me...in the female form!
Often I see women not sure if they should part with a certain item. If it is a classic I always tell them to keep it.
WHAT ARE YOUR FASHION STAPLES?
I keep to the basics and have never been into trends and I have a uniform: Brooks Brothers cotton extra slim button-down oxford (blue, white, pink and yellow)
Custom khaki or light grey pants
Uniqlo cashmere v-neck sweaters in every color (I wear them to death and get new ones each season)
For shoes I only wear: Gucci
Alden
John Lobb
Belgian
Top Siders from Jeffrey
custom Vans
& velvet slippers with jeans
There is nothing black in my wardrobe except for shoes, belts and dinner jackets. I would prefer a grey or navy suit to a black one.
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP FIVE PRIZED POSSESSIONS?
Eyesight
Jacques Adnet Ashtray Stand
Steel Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust Watch
Antique bronze horse from Phillips in Bombay, India
Lighter that once belonged to Cole Porter
WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO TRAVEL TO AND WHY?
Capri, I just adore the island and it is so much more "old school" than Nantucket.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE APPS ON YOUR IPHONE?
Vaunte - We are launching in the beginning of November; the App will allow anyone to upload images of items that they would like to sell and there will be a unique filter so that the images look consistent.
Instagram - I get to see what all of my friends are up to without having to speak to them.
InstaFollow - this allows me to know who has unfollowed me on Instagram.
Weather
Flashlight - it is so helpful in restaurants as my eyesight is going bad.
WHAT IS ON YOUR NIGHTSTAND?
Christopher Spitzmiller Lamps, alarm clock, picture of my grandmother and father in the 1960's, picture of my partner Malcolm Kutner, and a monogrammed Clare Vivier Catch-All.
WHAT ARE THREE THINGS PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I always wanted to be in a boy's band when I was younger.
I had the nickname "Chip", fortunately it did not stick when I got older.
I am really a homebody.
WHAT IS YOUR PERSONAL MANTRA THAT YOU TOTE AROUND WITH YOU?
There is a website that tells you the most popular song on the date and year in which you were born and mine is "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" with Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell....I am listening to the song while I am doing this questionnaire.
WHO IS CHRISTIAN LEONE AND WHY DO WE LOVE HIM?
I first met Christian in NYC at a party while I was working at Vogue and fell hard. I was amazed that you could actually have a man who is clever, charming and devastatingly dapper. Nothing better than a chap who has impeccable style and a devilish and fun personality - and we are so excited about his new booming brainchild, Vaunte!
Prior to co-founding this luxurious e-commerce company, Christian's love affair with fashion had already run deep. From Gilt Groupe Vice President of Marketing (and Vice President of Brand Relations!), to working communications for Giorgio Armani and Salvatore Ferragamo, and not to mention dressing the likes of Scarlett Johansson, Camilla Belle and countless others, Christian has maintained a strong and envious relationship with top fashion designers, stylists, buyers and editors all over the world.
His innovative and consistantly classic style and forward thinking never cease to propel him to the top of the fashion industry and I am beyond blessed to have him as a dear friend. If you are not yet on Vaunte, then it needs to be added to your "to do" list pronto. Vaunte serves as an online editorial magazine featuring real women and their closets and as Christian has explained in the past, "the fact that you can buy and sell is a bonus feature; it's taking the stories you've read and making them touchable and tangible."
In between photo shoots, interviews, traveling, and numerous other fabulous things, Christian spends his time residing between New York and Los Angeles with his partner, Malcolm Kutner.
