Yoox Net-A-Porter's Alison Loehnis On Personal Style And The Power Of A Great Blazer
Some people treat fashion like a revolving door of trends – constantly changing, always in flux. But for Alison Loehnis, the ad interim CEO and president of the Yoox Net-a-Porter Group, personal style is less about reinvention and more about gradual refinement. Widely considered to be one of the most influential figures in fashion and retail, Loehnis has helped shape the tastes of many for close to two decades.
With a love for streamlined silhouettes, her own version of hardworking wardrobe staples and a blend of classic American polish with European ease, she has honed a personal style that feels both effortless and intentional. From her first retail job to a career that led her through some of fashion’s biggest names – including Disney, LVMH and Net-A-Porter – Loehnis shares her sartorial philosophy, must-have pieces and the power of a great blazer.
FIND OUT MORE ON ELLE COLLECTIVE
On her personal style
I'd love to tell you that it's super diversified. I think everything I own is totally different, but if you ask my husband, everything I own is like a variation on the same theme. The through line is pretty, clean and streamlined silhouettes. I like things that are tailored, but not overly tailored. In terms of influences, I love the 1970s with a sprinkle of 1940s here and there.
On her route into fashion
Before I started working full time and during university summers, I worked on the shop floor at Ralph Lauren and I loved every minute of it. I had impeccable training just in terms of selling and visual merchandising. But it took me a decade and a half to realize that I could have a career in fashion. I was essentially looking for a job that really offered an equilibrium between business and creativity, understanding full well that they're not mutually exclusive. I worked in advertising and magazine publishing, I worked for Disney, and then I worked for a digital agency, which then brought me to London, which then brought me to LVMH and finally Net-A-Porter.
On working in the fashion industry
There is inspiration all around, its super energising. You’re always being introduced to new brands and new styles. I always love seeing new people join and noticing how their style evolves or doesn't. I think you can either be someone who is a chameleon or somebody who actually just becomes a bit more steadfast in their own style.
On the pieces that make her feel empowered
How I go about shopping is by choosing joyful pieces that make you feel great. I believe so strongly in the empowerment of what you wear and the empowerment of fashion. You put something on in the morning, that you feel great and uncomfortable in, and you have that little spring in your in your step. Unless I'm super in love with it, I don't buy it.
On the pieces that work the hardest
The hardest working components of my wardrobe are jackets. I am really partial to a blazer in particular. I have Saint Laurent jackets galore, and I love them. Whether they're tweed or a brocade or just a plain flannel or wool blazer, I just love a jacket.
On her influences
First and foremost my mom, because my mom was a working woman, and had a really successful career. I saw the joy she got from clothes, fashion, getting dressed and finding new designers. And I think that was infectious. In terms of fantasy icons, for me, it's Lee Radziwill. I think I bring up Lee at least several times a week. There's one picture of Jackie [Onassis, her siser] and Lee, and they're shopping in Capri and she's wearing the perfect fitted navy knitted ribbed tee, over a white pant and a flat sandal. It's feminine but not girly. It's sleek, it's pared back, it's understated, and you kind of let the accessories do the talking.
On classic American style
I like classic American style, with a European interpretation. New York is manicured to the wazoo, literally and figuratively, and London tends to be a bit more eclectic and a bit more undone. And I suppose it's a marriage of the two that I really appreciate.
On the brands she relies on
For jackets and blazers, it's Saint Laurent, Gucci and Veronica De Piante, who's a newer brand. For shirts (because I'm also a big shirt person) it's Ralph Lauren and Charvet. For jeans, it’s Khaite, Saint Laurent, Bottega and RE/DONE. I'm a jewellery freak, my go-to there is Foundrae, Lauren Rubinski and Sidney Garber. I collect vintage Zodiac pendants. So I wear, my vintage pieces with the new pieces. For bags it's Bottega, Khaite and Metier – I love how they’re discreet, but then everything is thought through on the inside.
On off-duty style
Jeans for sure. I don’t tend to wear jackets. There's an ongoing RE/DONE Hanes collaboration, those T-shirts are super amazing. I love sweaters. My go-to is probably The Elder Statesman and Khaite, for those chunky, big wintery sweaters. Flat boots are a regular. As for trainers, I'm sort of old school, so I'll do like a Stan Smith or an Air Max, but I don't really do fashion trainers. And I love a good old moccasin.
ELLE Collective is a new community of fashion, beauty and culture lovers. For access to exclusive content, events, inspiring advice from our Editors and industry experts, as well the opportunity to meet designers, thought-leaders and stylists, become a member today HERE.
You Might Also Like
