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Co-founder and Chief Brand Officer of NYC fashion label La Ligne, Meredith Melling knows style. A former Vogue editor and self-proclaimed “New England Bohemian,” she shares her tips for dressing and decorating with a vintage mix.

SHOP MEREDITH MELLING’S CHAIRISH FAVES >>>

La Ligne’s Madison Avenue Store | Photography Courtesy of La Ligne

How would you describe your personal approach to style? 

I would describe my personal style as “New England Bohemian.” I love a vintage Ossie Clark dress in equal measure to an L.L. Bean Sweater. It’s all about an unexpected mix of eras, colors, textures, and price points. I’m also a denim girl all day long.

Meredith Melling’s Home | Interiors by Ashe + Leandro | Photography by Joshua McHugh

As a former Vogue editor and, now, co-founder of La Ligne, you have a unique perspective on style that lasts, versus trends that come and go. What are some of the timeless ways you dress and decorate, and where do you like to throw in a new trend or two? 

I was an editor at Vogue when I had the idea for La Ligne, and it was a reaction to the hamster wheel of trends we were on, stoked on by the advent of social media and an increasing need for more fashion, faster and bolder than ever before. As Vogue editors, we were reporting on and styling all of the newest trends for the pages of the magazine, but behind the scenes, we were all personally wearing simple breton striped shirts or men’s Charvet shirts we picked up at the shows in Paris. La Ligne is a collection anchored by the stripe (or “line”), and was conceived as a palette cleanser to the dizzying bombardment of trends. Why the stripe? It’s a timeless graphic, one that we go back to again and again and AGAIN, one that’s totally classic but also ripe for endless reinvention. So needless to say, the stripe remains a key building block in my closet.

With both my closet and my home, I believe you really have to use what you have. I don’t believe in any piece of clothing or furniture being too precious for my busy and often chaotic life. I’ll wear my favorite diamond necklace with a t-shirt to the office. My husband and I joked that we used to live in an adult apartment but now that we have four children and three dogs, it’s been taken over. I’ll come home to our loft and my 10 year old will zoom by me on a scooter, and all of my dogs will be curled up on my bed.

Meredith Melling’s Home | Interiors by Ashe + Leandro | Photography by Joshua McHugh

What’s the best way to build a closet and/or accessory collection that reflects one’s personal style?

I think you can’t go wrong investing in a foundation of classic pieces—a timeless trench, a yummy cashmere sweater, a pair of jeans you never want to take off, a Breton tee (of course!), a beautiful well-constructed bag, etc. And within these style staples there is a lot of room for personal preference and expression in terms of designer, silhouette and color. For example, I have five different versions of subdued khaki trenches and I love them all for different reasons, but my best friend only invests in statement trenches—leopard, color, patent leather.

These foundation pieces are always the ones that live the longest in my closet and that I wear on heavy rotation. 

Meredith Melling’s Home | Interiors by Ashe + Leandro | Photography by Joshua McHugh

I love the hunt, the find, and having something totally unique. I love the idea that vintage pieces lived a life before they were yours to breathe new life into.

Meredith Melling

What’s currently inspiring you?

Chemena Kamali at Chloé, Francois-Xavier Lalanne, Ashe Leandro, Lucian Freud, In Vogue: The 90s (series), Studio Mary Lennox flowers, Herrlich Dining tablescapes…

Meredith Melling’s Home | Interiors by Ashe + Leandro | Photography by Joshua McHugh

ON CHAIRISH & VINTAGE PIECES

What do you find most compelling about Chairish?

I love that it’s a treasure hunt, although I use the term “hunt” lightly as there are so many amazing things to choose from it’s often hard to narrow down. They’ve done the hunting for us and presented a curated assortment that’s a wonderland. 

How does sustainability factor into your design choices and love of vintage?

I would always prefer to find something to breathe new life into over buying something new.

Meredith Melling | Photography by Jason McDonald

A FEW FAVORITES

Favorite piece of decor in your home? My blue velvet living room couch (which I just had recovered because it’s become my dogs’ favorite piece in our home as well). I also love my Geraldine Neuwirth painting – it’s big, eclectic and colorful just like my family. It really represents us. 

Favorite style icon? Lee Radziwill, Lauren Hutton, Ali Macgraw, Jane Birkin, CBK…

Design destination every creative should visit at least once? Paris—inspiration is EVERYWHERE!

Favorite historic place to visit? Rome.

Favorite host (or thank you) gift? Paper Flowers from The Green Vase. 

Favorite vacation destination? Italy, Martha’s Vineyard, and Blackberry Farm in Knoxville, TN.

Favorite flower? Peonies, Ranunculus, Parrot Tulips.

Favorite entertaining essential? A good Super Tuscan and a great playlist.

Lead Image: Interiors by Ashe + Leandro, Photography by Joshua McHugh.

January 15, 2025

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