LAUREL PANTIN
Name
Laurel Pantin - I’m a Fashion Editor, writer, and jewellery consultant.
How has 2021 been for you and which projects are you working on at the moment?
2021 has been a whirlwind - 2020 was a bit of an incubator time for me, I had my second kid in the beginning of March and spent the rest of the year just trying to take care of my family and figure this new life arrangement out. We were based in Austin to be near my mom for a year, so I felt really removed from my prior life. Now we're testing out LA and so far, it's been great. But during this year a friend of mine came to me with the idea of starting a jewellery consultancy helping people make investments in fine jewellery and style the pieces they have, and also working with brands we love on targeted events, and it has been amazing. We're called The Stax, and I'm just in heaven doing it. I've always loved jewellery and it's such a treat to get to be involved in the process of helping someone find something they really love.
Which opportunity were you given in your career that will always be important to you. Is there anyone who acted as a mentor to you?
I basically owe my entire career to Eva Chen. She gave me a shot and brought me on as a beauty assistant at Teen Vogue in, like, 2009, and has been an incredible source of advice and inspiration to me ever since. I've always felt welcomed by her to ask for advice, get her quick take on a situation, and to cheer me on. She's one of the top 3 smartest people I've ever met, and I honestly can't believe how lucky I am to know her.
Do you have any special memories of travel to Asia and favourite Asian owned businesses?
My now husband and I went on our first big trip together to Asia when I was still in college. We went to China, Cambodia, and Malaysia, and I just remember being in awe of the feeling of being somewhere so beautiful and so far from what you know. I learned so much on that trip and have been dying to travel more in the continent since. It really instilled a love of travel in me that has carried through our relationship.
Huishan Zhang is a brand I've admired since first seeing the collection in London around 2015. I was totally stunned by the detail and craftsmanship then and have delighted in seeing the brand grow! I've also been loving the bag brand Gu De, and also Tommy Ton's brand Deveaux. I bought a Deveaux dress this past year and it's so beautiful, every time I wear it, I get endless compliments.
Where are you hoping to travel to next?
Travel feels so out of the realm of possibility right now! I have a three-year-old and a one-year-old, so we're pretty limited in terms of what we can do. We drove instead of flew from Austin to LA because we didn't want to risk them getting sick. So, my only fantasy right now is to fly somewhere with them, ha.
What you are wearing and what made you choose this look from Huishan Zhang?
I'm wearing what feels like the most glamorous pyjama set in the world! I love the feather cuffs, my son saw me wearing this and told me he loved the shirt "in the whole world," so I knew it was a winner.
Photographed in Los Angeles wearing Vivienne top and Iman trousers in yellow tweed printed satin with ostrich feather cuffs.
Instagram @laurelpantin