My parents weren't involved in the fashion industry, yet they are style icons—here are the fashion lessons I gained from them.

      I have a deep fondness for dressing up. When I was younger, I didn’t realize how unique and wonderful it was that fashion played such a significant role in our home. And don’t even get me started on my grandmother's closet. Even more surprising is the fact that neither of my parents was involved in the fashion industry, yet they appreciated clothing much like one would appreciate art or architecture. They valued the craftsmanship, the silhouettes, and the emotions that a special piece could evoke. Even now, both of my parents keep up with the latest runway shows, often playing them on their TV as background entertainment.

      Though my dad appreciates design and fashion, his philosophy has always been, "Invest in a few truly amazing pieces that will last a lifetime." My brother and I were always impeccably dressed, frequently seen in linen and wool sets. I often spent my evenings before elementary school picking out my outfits from head to toe and playing dress-up in my mom's closet.

      Years later, I’ve inherited many of these items, and I’m still amazed at their condition. They are decades old yet still feel substantial. The fabrics have a weight to them, the tailoring is precise, and the styles somehow manage to feel both timeless and contemporary. At that time, there was a strong focus on construction and materials, which has allowed these designs to truly withstand the test of time. Many of these pieces seem more intriguing now than much of what is available in today’s market.

      There are a few designers that frequently appear in my parents’ closet, one of which is Claude Montana. My mom wore many of his creations, instantly transporting me to a time of bold power dressing. Montana was known for his extreme silhouettes, dramatic shoulders, and architectural sense in his designs.

      If you are delving into vintage fashion and admire designers like Azzedine Alaïa and Thierry Mugler, particularly those known for powerful sculptural shapes, you would certainly appreciate Claude Montana. The materials are thick and structured in a manner that feels nearly impossible to find today.

      I still seek fashion advice from my mom and dad. They instilled in me early on that great style isn't about pursuing the latest trends. It’s about recognizing quality design and pieces that will remain relevant for decades. Looking at their closet now and having the pieces they passed down to me, I realize they were right all along.

      Below are some of my favorite items from my parents' wardrobe and how I style them.

      One of my favorite pieces is a baby-blue ruffle set by Claude Montana that my mom wore years ago, which I actually wore on my honeymoon in Lake Como.

      Then we have my dad's iconic vintage Barneys NY leather jacket that has aged beautifully over time. I’m amazed at how vibrant the color was back in the day.

      One of the first items I borrowed from my mom is a cutout, cinched blue Claude Montana blazer, styled here with her first patent-leather Chanel bag, which I also own. The quality of this Chanel bag was so distinct back then.

      This vintage embellished dress stands out from anything I see designers doing today, and the gold fish details make it feel even more special, especially given my own Fishy bag from my brand Vin.

      A vintage Valentino moment—I'm currently having fun with colors, and I haven’t encountered anything like this on the market.

      Lastly, another masterpiece by Claude Montana, which I’ve seen my mom wear as a set with a matching skirt. I prefer to wear it with trousers, shorts, or jeans... it truly works with everything.