Lucy Sykes on FW: Memorable Moments, Who She'd Like to Sit Next To and the Hot Pink Bag She Covets

By Jen Smith
September 14, 2011

If there's one name that's synonymous with the glamour of New York Fashion Week, it's Lucy Sykes. Gorgeous and charismatic, Sykes works the week from every angle—she styles runway shows and sits front row at others, hosts parties and attends dozens more, and consults with clients who rely on the experienced creative director's savvy eye and keen sense of fashion style.

Lucy Sykes

Lucy Sykes (right) and fashion stylist Mary Alice Stephenson; Sykes in a dress by her friend, Rachel Roy, at a benefit; Sykes and friend, Net-a-Porter Fashion Director Tracey Taylor, sitting front row at a fashion show

Lucy Sykes This week alone, Sykes kicked things off by co-hosting a party with acclaimed accessories designer Alexis Bittar for Fashion's Night Out; styled the Pink Tartan and Helen Yarmak shows; consulted with clients including visual bookmarking website This Next, where the mom of two boys is Family Editor, and dress rental site Rent the Runway, where she is Contributing Fashion Director, all the while jetting from one show to another and hobnobbing with her equally accomplished friends.

left: Sykes co-hosted a party at jewelry designer Alexis Bittar's store for Fashion's Night Out

Pink Tartan & Helen Yarmak

Spring 2012 Helen Yarmak and Pink Tartan, styled by Lucy Sykes

But all of this is old hat for Sykes, who arrived Stateside from England in 1995. With twin sister novelist Plum, she quickly took the fashion world and New York social scene by storm. In the ensuing years, Sykes has graced countless fabulous fashion events with her effortless, undone yet sophisticated presence, and her work has appeared in the pages of Allure, Town & Country, Harper’s Bazaar and American Marie Claire, where she served as Fashion Director. If that trajectory wasn't stellar enough, Sykes also designed a line of children’s clothing bearing her name, and she continues to be a sought-after world-class fashion consultant and creative director.

“The perfect outlet for me has always been fashion," she says. "I have always loved a makeover. From a young age I tortured my sisters with my ideas—bad luck for them—they were my subjects!” It didn’t end there. “Apart from my sister and I dressing up in my mum’s old Biba dresses in the '70's, I would basically strong-arm my nanny into ordering me phone book-style bad fashion catalogues that I would pour over. I would style my sisters and do their hair and make up—even their color!”

Lucy Sykes

left: "Just shot this adorable mini for Rent the Runway, where I am consulting Fashion Director," says Sykes. right: "A trip to the Roxanna showroom while in London."

Sykes laughs and then thoughtfully adds, “Whether I’m working a cover shoot or a movie or styling a fashion show, it always feel totally exciting and it’s never, ever the same. Working in fashion can motivate you to always do your best. You’re only as good as your last show, shoot, collection... The competition is an advantage.”

Her greatest influence? Sykes says it’s her upbringing. “My mum was a designer of children’s clothes, so there were always lovely Liberty fabrics and vintage lace trimmings around. We lived in an extremely old house in the English countryside called an Oast house. It was wonderful for country kids like us to use our imaginations, put on plays, and raid the attic for famous vintage ball gowns and my grandmother’s bags and hats. “I always felt a heritage from the memories around me, from paintings to photographs to our very old William Morris wallpaper. My mother grew up in the same house.”

Lucy Sykes

Lucy Sykes' childhood home in the English countryside is a source of inspiration for her.

She hopes the creative tradition gets passed on through the generations. "I’d like it if my boys grow up with open minds and strong work ethics, and hope they would pursue artistic endeavors. Our friends range from entertainers to fashion designers and stylists, writers and artists. I like to think that my professional life has influenced my personal life.”

The Inside Source: Hi Lucy! Please describe your first ever "Front Row" experience. Let us in!

Lucy Sykes: Wow, I cannot remember! I am sure that was not my (assigned) seat! I probably did the trick a lot of newbies do: wait, lights down and pounce. I did adore being front row at the McQueen fashion shows—that was an audience participation moment. The Dior shows in the Louvre in Paris were out of this world—very Marie Antoinette.

The Inside Source: Who do you want to sit between at a show?

Lucy Sykes: Mickey Boardman (Creative Director of Paper magazine) and Kristian Laliberte (now a contributor to Refinery 29).

The Inside Source: Are you a note-taker or sketcher?

Lucy Sykes: I take notes, sketch, snap, and sometimes I just watch.

Lucy Sykes

left: "My fave designer Prabal [designed] the red dress of the season. I love shooting his collection," Sykes says. right: Sykes, wearing Ungaro, in Harper's Bazaar after having given birth three months earlier.

The Inside Source: Every city that hosts a Fashion Week has it’s own personality. What’s your current runway inspiration for dress-to-impress in New York?

Lucy Sykes: Celine.

The Inside Source: Paris?

Lucy Sykes: Lanvin.

The Inside Source: London?

Lucy Sykes: Burberry.

The Inside Source: Milan?

Lucy Sykes: YSL.

The Inside Source: What are the presentations/shows you've been most excited for this season?

Lucy Sykes: Prabal, Bibhu, Jason Wu, Rag and Bone, Marchesa, Neil Kirkwood, to name a few.

Lucy Sykes

A shoot for handbag collection Judith Leiber, commissioned by Sykes and photographed by Patrick McMullan.

The Inside Source: The fashion industry is notorious for drama. What’s the most memorable fiasco you've witnessed onstage or backstage?

Lucy Sykes: A few years back, I was sitting front row at an Oscar de la Renta show. The anti-fur peeps somehow got on stage and threw red paint all over Anna Wintour. She did not flinch. That was fashion drama.

The Inside Source: Where are your favorite place to recuperate (or celebrate!) after a grueling day at the tents?

Lucy Sykes: Corsino on my street in the West Village—it’s a neighborhood Italian joint. Aria on Perry Street is great for cocktails; I always love the Waverly Inn... But best of all is my super king-size bed with my three boys (yes, that includes Euan [Rellie], my husband) watching a family movie.

The Inside Source: Do you have a favorite fashion blog?

Lucy Sykes: Fashion's Most Wanted—this is where I find fab inspiration. I’m also in love with The Coveteur. And This Next, of course.

The Inside Source: What did you like to wear as a teenager?

Lucy Sykes: I loved American Cosmo and the Chanel-looking Barbie/Claudia Schiffer [styles] on the cover. I started to copy the styling on myself. I wore pouf ball dresses, stripe t-shirt dresses, bother boots, fishnets. Somehow I got hold of a red Chanel jacket and leather hot pants.

The Inside Source: What is your dream “it” bag?

Lucy Sykes: A Birkin in bright pink.

The Inside Source: This fall, what is the one thing any girl can add to her closet to provide some glam?

Lucy Sykes: Fur, fake or real.

Lucy Sykes' Glamorous, Eclectic eBay Picks

Roll over items for details

Christian Louboutin Swarovski Crystal Strassing Service Shoes

(buy it now price, $700)

Rag and Bone Skinny Colored Denim

Antique Oak Wardrobe

Classic Black Leather Pointy Pumps

Kelly Wearstler Sferra Ombre Cashmere Throw

(buy it now price, $487.90)

Crab Catching Colonial Beach Photo 1914

Johnson Rossiter, The Great Events by Famous Historians Books

(starting bid, $349.25)

1977 Aston Martin

New Hermes Birkin Bag

Vintage Tiffany & Co Gold Signature Knot Ring

Antique French Quilt

(buy it now price, $1,795)

Balenciaga Black Leather “Biker” Vest

Lucy Sykes on FW: Memorable Moments, Who She'd Like to Sit Next To and the Hot Pink Bag She Covets

1. Christian Louboutin Swarovski Crystal Strassing Service Shoes: “I bought these for my birthday party—too much sparkly fun. A must for all glamour girls out there.”

2. Rag & Bone Skinny Colored Denim: “Rag & Bone is my fave contemporary designer. I already have these in grey and need a fashion color. Great price!”

3. Antique Oak Wardrobe: “This fab vintage oak wardrobe gives my city apartment perfect old-school glamour.”

4. Balenciaga Black Leather “Biker” Vest: “Great find! I’m styling this in to my Fashion Week wardrobe.”

5. Classic Black Leather Pointy Pumps: “Yes, please. The pointy pump is big for fall!”

6. Kelly Wearstler Sferra Ombre Cashmere Throw: “A scrummy cashmere throw will cozy up my very white sofa.”

7. Vintage Tiffany & Co Gold Signature Knot Ring: “ I always love a classic, chunky, cool gold ring. It’s never ever out of fashion."

8. Crab Catching Colonial Beach Photo 1914: “Love this old print for my beach cottage; it feels different and original."

9. Johnson Rossiter, The Great Events by Famous Historians Books: After enduring Hurricane Irene, Sykes likes these handsome books for her country cottage. They’d be great reading the next time a storm hits.

10. 1977 Aston Martin: “I am not really a car person. This vintage Aston Martin, however, is pretty chic for a girl to drive herself around town in.”

11. New Hermes Birkin Bag: “I want you now—pretty in pink, and oh so glam—perfect for Fashion Week. I have a photo of you on my wall.”

12. Antique French Quilt: “Love this stunning quilt for my cozy spare room in my country house. My guests will get a very old surprise.”

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