Jenny Walton's Realm: Her Latest Book, Miuccia Prada, and a Renovation Project in Tuscany

      Enter the captivating realm of innovative creators in the fashion industry with our My World series, where readers can explore how leading stylists, designers, and trendsetters shaped their careers; their go-to dining spots, favorite music albums, and style discoveries; the etiquette principles they adhere to; and much more. If you're involved in fashion, you may already be familiar with Jenny Walton, or perhaps you've come across a street style shot of her without recognizing it. A quick glance at her Instagram will reveal her cheerful persona—an authentic sincerity (never overwhelming) that shines through during our conversation.

      Having grown up in rural New Jersey and earned a BFA in fashion design from the Parsons School of Design, Walton has established herself as a designer, illustrator, and writer, celebrated for her unique personal aesthetic; she has painstakingly assembled a dream wardrobe through hours spent on platforms like Vinted and The RealReal, rummaging through vintage shops worldwide, and dressing herself for fashion shows. This journey led her to become a vintage shopping columnist for Vogue.

      Now, she is set to release a book on April 29 titled Jenny Sais Quoi: Adventures in Vintage & Personal Style, named after her Substack newsletter, which is available for preorder. In anticipation of its launch, we discuss topics ranging from her wardrobe and makeup essentials to influential style figures such as Georgia O’Keeffe, Diana Vreeland, Edith Sitwell, and Virginia Woolf; her experiences in New York, Milan, and her upcoming plans for California; along with her favorite things: Miuccia Prada, The Red Shoes (1948), caffè macchiatos, and her most remarkable vintage find, a renovation project in northern Tuscany. Explore the world of this illustrator, designer, and writer below.

      How would you characterize your upbringing in South Jersey?

      There were cornfields—quite randomly rural. I think most New Yorkers envision North Jersey, like Newark, when they think of Jersey. The only real entertainment was going to a nearby 24-hour diner called Colonial, which was the fun spot for late-night outings. Otherwise, there wasn't much to do since my mom was hesitant to drive into Philly, so we mostly remained in New Jersey. However, it was enjoyable because there were plenty of vintage markets and yard sales, making it quite suburban—visiting Goodwill and the mall. In a way, it was simply delightful.

      Could you outline your career path?

      I moved to New York at 18 to study fashion design at Parsons and ended up living there for about 15 years. I initially aimed to be a designer or creative director. My first job was as an assistant designer at Calypso St Barth, which mostly involved emailing factories and following up on samples—a task I wasn't particularly great at. I was more fascinated by hunting for vintage sweaters at flea markets on weekends and always proposed remaking the pieces I found. Commuting from Park Slope to Queens, I would sketch for the entire hour to and from work. This was around 2014, during the early rise of Instagram. I began posting my sketches at the end of my subway rides, and those early uploads gained quick traction. I got featured on a Discover page, which led editors and others to reach out for illustrations. After two years, I decided to go freelance and started traveling more, attending fashion shows, and sharing both my illustrations and vintage outfits online. People loved asking about my finds, and I realized I could document my travels, vintage discoveries, and creative work—all while growing an audience.

      Many creative individuals find themselves in roles that don't resonate with them. What advice would you offer?

      Despite the increasing number of voices online, if you possess a unique perspective, you can still make an impact. New voices continue to emerge, and their confidence draws attention. My main piece of advice is to take the leap, even if it feels terrifying. I remember my first illustration job where I quoted a price of $700—the amount of my rent. I ended up quitting my job because of that. My father asked, “What are you doing? How will you survive?” But I assured him I would manage. Youth has a wonderful naivety that encourages one to take bold risks. Later, when I was around 30, I moved to Italy after the pandemic, despite not speaking Italian. When my relationship ended shortly after my move, I had to figure things out on my own, including securing a visa and making it work. There were challenging times, but those leaps of faith ultimately helped me believe in myself.

      Was there someone who helped instill that confidence in you?

      A friend of mine recently mentioned I might be a bit delusional. I think my mother is a very strong woman—someone who is unshakeable in her beliefs. My two sisters and I were raised to be independent and pursue our aspirations; she never pressured us to follow a specific path or rely