Rachel Fleit Loves a Great Lipstick, Keeps an Open Heart

While some fashion insiders favor a pared-down uniform, Rachel Fleit, the co-founder (along with Giovanna Randall) and chief creative officer of Honor, is more often than not spotted in ‘50s-inspired dresses, vintage statement pieces, elaborate scarves, and, of course, Honor’s strong-yet-girly designs. Thirty three-year-old Fleit, who lost her hair due to alopecia, is also a director: most recently, she created a campaign film starring Zosia Mamet, Zoe Kazan, and Honor’s spring 2014 collection. The short is both quirky and beautiful, reflecting her modern personal taste.

Here, Fleit shares her favorite stores in New York, restaurants in Paris, and the best places to shop online.

Define your style in three words: Hippy, glitzy, grandma.

Daily uniform: Something old, something new, sunglasses, and an enormous scarf.

Greatest hits: A Betsey Johnson backless unitard from 1984, a neon peach crop top from HONOR Spring 2014, a tiny old Wrangler denim jacket.

Preferred footwear: Dieppa Restrepo white snakeskin booties; Swedish Hasbeens; a well-worn, hole-y pair of baby blue Vans.

Finishing touches: Leith Clark for Warby Parker sunglasses, quartz crystal earrings by Sonia Boyajian, 8-10 rings stacked on my fingers from my late grandmothers, a Giles and Brothers cuff, a gold bangle from my Bat Mitzvah, D.S. & Durga eau de parfum in coriander.

Nighttime look: Bright lips or dark eyes, high heels, open heart.

Best recent discovery: The kale salad at Hu Kitchen, sphere-shaped “pillow balls” designed by Andrew Yes, acupuncture with Beth Conroy.

Favorite stores: Twisted Lily, a newish, high-end fragrance shop in Boerum Hill; eclectic clothing and home shop Personnel on Greenwich Street; vintage store Fox and Fawn in Greenpoint; jewelry boutique Love Adorned and music destination Kim’s Video in the East Village; The Strand‘s new curated outpost in the back of Toby’s Estate Coffee on 5th Avenue; Unnameable Books and The Mermaid Garden in Prospect Heights, for rare books and exotic fish, respectively; Russ & Daughters for smoked fish and caviar in the Lower East Side; Mandala Tibetan store for jewelry and textiles in Park Slope; La Garconne, COS, and & Other Stories for clothing on the Internet.

Style pet peeve: Sameness.

Style icons: Liza Minelli, Diane Keaton, Barbra Streisand, Charlotte Rampling, Barbara Flood, Yelena Yemchuk, Sonia Boyajian, and my late grandmothers Claire and Estelle.

Last purchase: A goji berri smoothie, and a black string bikini from & Other Stories on my phone while I waited in line for the aforementioned smoothie.

Lusting after: A barefoot bike ride to the beach, my long-lost tan lines, and an iced coffee…

Favorite restaurants: In New York: Indochine, Al di La, Cafe Sabarsky, Geido, Hasaki, Hu Kitchen, Grand Central Oyster Bar. In L.A.: Cafe Gratitude and Gjelina. In Paris: Rose’s Bakery and Le Marche Des Enfants Rouges.

Spring beauty tips: Get outside, buy fresh flowers, show off your legs, and stay hydrated.

What’s always in your bag: Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick, No. 41.