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

      Enter the world of the most innovative talents within the fashion sector in our series, My World. Here, readers will uncover the journeys of leading stylists, designers, and influencers, learning about how they established their careers, their preferred eateries, cherished albums, and fashion discoveries; the etiquette they uphold; and much more. If you're involved in fashion, you may already be familiar with Jenny Walton, or you might have come across a street style shot of her without realizing it. A glance at her Instagram will immediately reveal her bright personality—a genuine openness (never overwhelming) that comes across in our conversation.

      Having grown up in rural New Jersey and earning a BFA in fashion design from Parsons School of Design, Walton has made a name for herself as a designer, illustrator, and writer, recognized for her unique personal aesthetic. She has painstakingly curated her dream wardrobe after extensive hours on Vinted and The RealReal, exploring vintage shops around the globe, and outfitting herself for fashion events, which ultimately led to her role as Vogue’s vintage shopping columnist.

      (Image credit: @jennymwalton; Phaidon; Getty Images/Stefania M. D'Alessandro; Fara Homidi; Glossier; Getty Images/Edward Berthelot) Currently, she has a book titled Jenny Sais Quoi: Adventures in Vintage & Personal Style, inspired by her Substack newsletter, set to release on April 29 and available for preorder. In anticipation of its launch, we discuss everything from her wardrobe and makeup collection to her style inspirations like Georgia O’Keeffe, Diana Vreeland, Edith Sitwell, and Virginia Woolf; her experiences in New York, Milan, and her next destination (California); as well as a variety of her all-time favorite things: Miuccia Prada, The Red Shoes (1948), caffè macchiatos, and her best vintage find, a fixer-upper in northern Tuscany. Below, delve into the universe of the illustrator, designer, and writer.

      (Image credit: Getty Images; Getty Images/Edward Berthelot; Getty Images/Claudio Lavenia; The Style Stalker; Phaidon; @jennymwalton) How would you describe your upbringing in South Jersey? It was full of cornfields—quite rural. Many folks in New York City associate New Jersey with North Jersey, like Newark. Our main entertainment was visiting a 24-hour diner nearby called Colonial; that was our late-night hangout. Beyond that, there wasn't much to do, and my mother was too nervous to drive into Philly, so we mostly kept to New Jersey. Yet, it was also enjoyable because we had various vintage markets and yard sales. It was very suburban—shopping at Goodwill and visiting the mall—which made for a refreshingly simple lifestyle.

      Can you describe your career path? I relocated to New York at 18 to study fashion design at Parsons and ended up staying for about 15 years. I thought I would become a designer or creative director—that was my plan. However, I worked as an assistant designer at Calypso St Barth for two years. Most of my time was spent emailing factories and following up on samples, which wasn't my strong suit. I was much more excited about visiting flea markets on weekends to hunt for unique vintage sweaters and proposing to recreate them. I experienced a long subway commute—from the G train to the 7 line—living in Park Slope while my office was in Queens, taking that whole hour to sketch on my way to and from work.

      Around 2014, Instagram was really beginning to take off. I started posting sketches at the end of my subway rides, and back then, you could gain followers quite quickly just by posting. I was featured on a Discover page, and soon editors started reaching out to me for illustrations. That marked the transition to going solo after two years, allowing me to travel more and receive show invitations. Gradually, I began posting my illustrations frequently and occasionally showing off vintage attire, which prompted people to ask about my finds. I realized I could share aspects of my life—traveling, vintage discoveries, or art projects—and people enjoyed following my journey.

      Many creative individuals find themselves in jobs that don’t resonate with them and seek a way to break free. What advice would you give? Even though the online landscape is saturated today, a distinct voice can still shine through. This happens often—someone emerges with a unique perspective, and you immediately take note because they exude confidence. My primary piece of advice is to take that leap, despite how daunting it may seem.

      I recall my first illustration job when they asked about my fees. I quoted $700, which was my rent, and I quit my job after that. My dad was perplexed, questioning how I'd manage, but I assured him I’d be fine. Youth carries a certain naïveté that encourages bold risks. Even