These days it’s hardly shocking to shell out $150 for a pair of perfect, high-quality jeans — the kind that you wear constantly, feel your best in and look fab flaunting. Citizens of Humanity helped launch that pioneering era of premium denim and we’re still obsessed. Placing equal emphasis on quality and aesthetics, the classic brand continues to shake things up on that side of the fashion industry. Behind it all is former president turned current CEO, Amy Williams.
We love seeing women kick butt in business, but especially in the fashion world where there is still so much space to improve practices and produce looks that actually help us feel at home in our own skin. We feel good when we look good, and well-curated pieces help us streamline our closets and sense of style.
We asked Amy to take us on a tour of her closet for our fave fashion series. The fashion CEO is sharing her perspective on everything from style inspiration to key accessories for the season. Check it out below…
Currently wearing:
It has been cold and rainy in Northern California this winter, so I have been wearing my Citizens of Humanity Demy Cropped Flare Jean in Stargazer, Kayla White Button Up, Nilli Lotan Sweater and Isabel Marant suede boots on repeat.
My style in three words:
Classic, yet current and always comfortable.
Recent inspirations:
Our daughters. You truly think differently through the lens of children who will be here for years and years to come. One night, lying in bed talking with Emma, she asked me, “What happens to all the stuff that people don’t need any more when they are done?” In that moment, possibly for the first time, I pictured a dump with so much stuff in it. We don’t need as much as we are consuming and making. We need to thoughtfully make products that we can love, enjoy and then pass on.
I am loving the artists featured at the Sears Peyton Gallery. Suzy Spence and Patricia Iglesias are two of my recent favorites. We recently moved Citizens of Humanity into a new showroom in NYC next door to the gallery. Each time I pay a visit, I seem to fall in love with a new artist.
Travel. I recently spent time in Baja California, which is filled with so much natural beauty, inspiration and people with the biggest hearts.
My style icons:
Ulla Johnson — I love Ulla’s style, everything she designs and her whole sensibility.
Phoebe Philo — I love her simplicity, confidence and work from Chloe to Celine.
Claire Waight Keller — I’ve forever admired her taste, talent and always love seeing her wearing the best jeans at the end of her runway shows.
Go-to uniform:
My uniform has stayed consistent over the past 40 years! Jeans, white shirt, blazer from Acne or Stella McCartney and boots or sandals from Isabel Marant. I am also always wearing as much jewelry from Devon Paige McLeary as I can fit on my body.
Favorite natural materials:
Anything from True Botanicals. I immediately fell in love with their Radiance Face Oil and Vitamin C Booster when first introduced to the brand. Most recently, I have become obsessed with their Aromatherapy Roller Oils and Body Wash and Body Lotion. Using their products makes me feel I am at a natural spa, while in the comfort of my home.
My mission:
Leave people better than you found them, and always try to bring out the best in others and understand them as they are.
Something in my closet I'll own forever:
My Evelyne Bag from Hermes. How could you not love something that shares a name with one of the loves of my life, my daughter Evelyn?
Style trend I'm most excited about:
I am and always will be a fan of wide leg jeans. I am happy to see that denim silhouettes are really diverse this year and I can’t wait to get my Annina Trouser Jean from Citizens of Humanity and the Wide Leg Trouser from GOLDSIGN.
Trend I'm excited to see go:
Extreme rips and tears in clothing of any kind.
Most essential accessory (and how to rock it):
Special, beautiful jewelry is always essential. How to rock it? Just pile it on! I love layering necklaces that have personal meaning, such as my Ariel Gordon necklace with our daughter’s names is a most cherished piece.
Look that will never go out of style:
A great white shirt and jeans.
Favorite sustainable brands, designers and resources:
The Chalkboard Mag, of course.
Elena Brower — Love everything she does from her podcast, to her Practice You Journal, to her Awakening Deck.
What we are doing at Citizens of Humanity, AGOLDE and GOLDSIGN. It is as much as limiting the amount of product you develop, as it is how much of it you make. Let demand fuel supply.
True Botanicals — I understand the value of clean products and want to make sure I teach our daughters the importance of them as well.
Westman Atelier — simple, beautiful makeup that is sustainable.
The Organic Pharmacy in Beverly Hills and London — I always pay a visit to this natural beauty store when I am near one of their locations.
Stella McCartney — Long before it was a thing, she’s always been so thoughtful and forward thinking about what she designs, what it’s made from and how it’s made.
Mantra:
“We rise by lifting others.”
