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FASHION STATEMENT
Vogue magazine’s Alexandra Michler Kopelman talks Nantucket fashion.
interview by
Robert Cocuzzo
Long before she was eyeing runways from Manhattan to Milan, Vogue magazine’s Alexandra “Allie” Michler Kopelman took her first steps on Nantucket. Summering in her family’s home in Sconset, Allie has had a long love affair with the island that culminated last summer with her fairytale wedding to Will Kopelman, the son of longtime Chanel president and chief operating officer Arie Kopelman and his wife, Coco. The union cemented Allie’s place in the fashion world, which she had been ascending since college. An English major at the University of Pennsylvania, Allie served as the editor of the college’s magazine before interning at InStyle. She then worked as a freelance stylist before jumping back into fashion editorial with Elle magazine. Ally then entered the most rarefied circles of the fashion industry when she landed a job at Vogue, eventually becoming the publication’s director of fashion initiatives. Those who have watched the documentary The September Issue—uncovering the inner workings of Vogue—or who have read The Devil Wears Prada, a wildly successful novel based on Vogue editor Anna Wintour—can attest to the mythic nature of America’s top fashion publication. N Magazine spoke to Allie Michler Kopelman to bring us behind the scenes of Vogue and get her top tips for island fashion.
How would you describe Nantucket’s overall fashion sense and how would you improve on it?
True Nantucket style is practical, nostalgic and unwavering. It is comfortable, beloved and weathered—much like the island itself...it needs no improvement!
What are some fashion trends you are seeing this summer?
We are seeing mini everything: miniskirts, mini bags—fashion has moved away from the oversize trend we were seeing for so long. For a minute, there was a ’90s resurgence, and now fashion has a Y2K obsession.
What are some quintessential items to your Nantucket wardrobe?
My Nantucket Looms striped knit sweater, easy sundresses from Dôen or La Ligne, a Gigi Burris straw hat for bright days and a Saint James rain slicker for foul weather. And of course, my beloved vintage Nantucket lightship basket by Susan and Karl Ottison, with ivory carving by the late Nancy Chase. It is my most prized possession in my wardrobe and truly a work of art.
What are some pieces in the Nantucket wardrobe that should be put in permanent retirement?
There is never a need for heels in Nantucket, in my opinion, as the island is all about an understated elegance. Plus, it would be impossible and precarious to navigate cobblestones in heels.
What are some of your fondest memories growing up on the island?
There are so many, as I have come every summer of my entire life. Some favorites include taking my first steps, big family bonfires on Pocomo Beach, learning to drive (down Polpis Road), sailing from our home in Connecticut to Nantucket with my dad on our Sabre 38, reunions with old friends and, of course, my wedding to my husband last summer at Sankaty Head Golf Club.
Since marrying Will Kopelman, do you ever find yourself in conversation with his father about the state of the fashion industry?
I am so lucky to have an incredible sounding board in my father-in-law. Not to mention, he is the best storyteller imaginable. I love hearing about his incredible history with Chanel and so many of the colorful characters in the fashion industry he knows.
Speaking of icons in the fashion industry, there’s so much mystique and mystery around Vogue editor Anna Wintour. What’s something you can tell us about her that most people wouldn’t know?
That she is so thoughtful and genuine. I feel incredibly fortunate to work with such talented, smart and dedicated people, which all stems from Anna. I so admire Anna’s innovation and focus, which inspires me daily.
Do you have any episodes you can describe of working closely with her?
I would have to say, overall, my favorite memories of working alongside Anna are during the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund. CVFF is an incubator program for young designers, which Anna started nineteen years ago, and I have been fortunate enough to lead for the past seven of my nine years at
Vogue.
Vogue
believes in the future of American fashion and continues to nurture and support these up-and-coming creatives through this program. Some of American fashion’s biggest names have come through CVFF, from Proenza Schouler to Rodarte to Telfar to Christopher John Rogers. It is incredibly rewarding to work with emerging designers and help connect them with mentors in the industry and help give them a platform for their work. I particularly love leading the Americans in Paris program, where we host these designers at a showroom in Paris during Fashion Week to give them introductions to international editors and retailers. We always host a fun cocktail event, where the designers mingle with models and editors and other creatives—it’s one of my favorite events of Paris Fashion Week—we bring a little bit of American panache to Paris.
As a cultural institution, where does Vogue fit in the American consciousness? Does it serve as an arbiter of style?
Vogue is really about creativity, authenticity and inclusivity—all part of the brand’s core values. It is an exceptional team to be part of and I am continuously wowed by my colleagues. Vogue is not only an inspiring publication with a storied history, but now provides a 360-degree view on modern fashion. I believe Vogue to be a smart business that understands the Vogue consumer—individuals who appreciate fashion from eclectic points of view. Maintaining varied perspectives and working to amplify different voices in fashion is what keeps Vogue fresh.
Looking at fashion as a whole, what concerns you most about the industry?
I love working in an industry that is always reinventing itself, always looking forward and creating anew. The only thing that concerns me right now in fashion are the mass producers and their environmental impact on our world. I am confident that major fashion companies are taking steps to have less of a carbon footprint, efforts that I know mean so much to our Nantucket community. I look to the next generation of designers who are purposefully thinking about sustainability at the center of their brand principles. I have hope, trust and belief that these talented up-and-comers will shepherd us into a new era of responsible and mindful manufacturing, while still defining fashion in original and artistic ways.
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