Ruth Caldwell
For Caldwell, the start of the spring season isn’t marked by warmer weather, but rather by New York Fashion Week. Which makes perfect sense for the twenty-eight-year-old Charlotte native, who ditched Wall Street in favor of a career as a buyer at Barneys and Saks. Last year she came home to work as Capitol’s buyer, filling the SouthPark boutique with Yves Saint Laurent and Stella McCartney among others. We talked with Caldwell before she jetted up to N.Y., and asked her what some of her favorite things are.
Photographs by Chris Edwards; Styling by Jennie Cline
"The Taroni silk satin fabric swatches belonged to a designer who gifted them to me after years of my draping them like sashes across me in her appointments."
"My heart pendants were given to me by my late friend Kazuko, a true artisan whose talent was matched only by her enormous heart. I wear them almost every day." Handmade heart stone pendants by Kazuko, $120-$800, barneys.com
"My new black leather leggings from The Row are really warm and give a feminine dress or top serious edge." Lambskin Berkley leggings by The Row, $2,250, Capitol
"Several seasons ago, I hunted down these YSL gold platform wedges when I lived in New York and drove my shoe buyer/co-worker at Barneys insane asking when they would ship every single day. To me, they were and are the most beautiful pair of shoes I've ever seen."
Ruth Caldwell
"I’m a total sucker for tie-dye and wear it as my standard uniform on the weekends and for flights." Parker Blue dyed jersey tank, $88, Capitol, 6815-C Phillips Place Ct., 704-552-8987
"I love the pre-spring 2008 Balenciaga collection. I want everything from the crazy plaid pantsuit, right, to the reissued 1960s pink cocktail dress. Nicholas Ghesquiere is a genius." $795,trouser; $1,495, jacket, Capitol
"I like to wear my Hermès Un Jardin sur le Nil in the summer because it’s crisp and green." Un Jardin sur le Nil by Hermès, $125 (3.3 oz.), Hermès, SouthPark, 704-365-6932
"After meeting the jewelry designer Marie-Hélène on my last trip to Paris, I came back wanting to own everything she designs even more—she is so chic! This lucky charm bracelet is my current favorite." Lucky charm bracelet by Marie-Hélène de Taillac, $3,928, Capitol
