Tina Bhojwani

This week on Wynne's World we meet Tina Bhojwani, Co-Founder & CEO of AERA Footwear. I met Tina recently and was so impressed by her genuine warmth, kindness and sincerity as well as her beautiful new line of vegan footwear. Fashion executive Tina Bhojwani has held key leadership roles at global brands including Donna Karan, Theory and Dolce & Gabbana. Throughout her 20-year career, she has seen the impact of fashion on people and the planet and recognizes the need for change not only as a business imperative but more importantly a deeply human one. She built AERA as a platform to address these environmental and social challenges, with the hope of making its practices the new normal in fashion. With AERA, she aspires to show consumers that style, design, and quality can be analogous with sustainability.

Current Project: I am working with my partner, Jean-Michel Cazabat and our team on the next drop of AERA shoes, which will include several styles of boots and is planned to launch in mid-September.

Currently Reading: I am reading Compassion Inc: Unleashing the Power of Empathy in Life and Business, by Gaurav Sinha. It was a gift from Alvertos Revach, my other co-founder and investor. It is a book that describes how successful businesses can be a force for good; something I am very passionate about. It is a great read for anyone who believes that businesses should make a greater positive impact as well as for those wanting to live a mindful and compassion-driven life.

Summer Travel: My next trip will be at the end of this month to Italy for AERA. My co-founders and I will visit our two factories in Veneto and also spend time with our materials supplier in Milano. We are constantly looking to innovate on our sustainable materials and processes.

Behind the scenes at AERA’s Italian Factory

My personal favorite -vegan leather python

Italian craftsmanship

Summer Vacation: Later this summer, I will take a personal trip back to Italy where my husband and I have invested in an old farmhouse and vineyard in the Piedmont region. We have started to renovate the property and our dream is to create a sustainable winery there in the future. 

Italy

 

Summer Beauty Essentials: I’m always on the lookout for effective, 'clean’ beauty products. Currently using Supergoop! Serum, Augustinus Bader 'The Cream', and Eighth Day eye renewal cream.

 

Supergoop Serum, Eighth Day Eye Renewal Cream, Augustinus Bader "The Cream"

 

Fashion Icon: British fashion designer Phoebe Philo. I admire all the work she has done first with Chloe and then with Celine. I’m inspired by her real and sensitive approach to designing for intelligent women. She creates incredibly chic, minimal and relevant clothes, which can easily serve as a uniform for everyday life. 

 

Phoebe Philo

 

A favorite moment (among many) was that she chose to use Joan Didion back in Spring 2015 as face of Celine.

 

Joan Didion for Celine

My final question for Tina was to ask what is meaningful in her life right now and this was her answer: "Gratitude is meaningful in my life. Its about being thankful, appreciative, respectful and kind." I think we could all use more kindness in the world right now and Tina is a power of example through her work and how she treats others. We are wishing her all the success in the world!  

Caroline McKay in her Heidi Wynne Bela Cashmere Wrap and Olivia Tote at Villa d' Este

There is something so magical about summer in Italy and our Bela Cashmere Wrap and Olivia Tote accompanied my sweet, beautiful friend Caroline McKay as she traveled the country. From Tuscany to the Amalfi Coast, Caroline's photos capture the breathtaking beauty of Italy. As the founder of Forkfeed, a personal blog focused on food, her meals rivaled the scenery. Below are a few images from her incredible trip.

Caroline in Florence with her Heidi Wynne Olivia Tote

Enoteca Pitti Gola e Cantina

Poggio Piglia

The straw hat is not a Heidi Wynne but how cute is it?

Praiano

Thank you to sweet Caroline McKay for making the Olivia Tote look so stylish!

Summer Style: Danielle Fichera Amara Dress (available on Maison de Mode), Heidi Wynne Habitually Chic Bela Wrap and Edgartown Raffia Clutch, Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick, Carrie Forbes Naima Raffia Slides, Gucci Rouge à Lèvres Voile Lipstick, Rebecca de Ravenel Daisy Drop Earrings, Gucci Sunglasses and Heidi Wynne Montauk Raffia Cowboy Hat

Summer Mood Board. That is our new custom print in the background- coming soon as a straw bag lining and scarf.

Packed for a weekend in the country- my Heidi Wynne Montauk Raffia Cowboy Hat, Heidi Wynne Habitually Chic Bela Cashmere Wrap, Westman Atelier Face Trace Contour Stick, Heidi Wynne French Market Tote, Gucci à Lèvres Voile Lipstick

Ireland is truly one of the most beautiful places in the world and we can't wait to visit again. While in Dublin be sure to stroll through St Stephen's Green, have afternoon tea at the Shelbourne Hotel, go shopping on Grafton Street and visit Ireland's iconic department store Brown Thomas. We stayed at Number 31 which is a boutique hotel in Georgian Dublin City Centre and is in close proximity to central Dublin. It feels like a country escape with its beautiful garden and cozy fireplace.

Dublin

Dublin Shopping

Just over ten miles outside Dublin is the beautiful coastal town of Malahide where the air smells so fresh and clean. Spend a lazy afternoon taking a long walk along the shore and then stop into one of the cozy pubs for fish and chips. Peruse the Malahide antiques shop and then watch the sun set.

I didn't realize how close Belfast and Ireland are to one another. You can easily travel up north and enjoy the beauty of Belfast after a few days in Dublin. The ride to Belfast has views of country fields with farms and sheep and is just so lovely. I stayed at the Fitzwilliam Hotel and highly recommend it due to the excellent service, the breakfast and location. The city itself has rolling hills and many beautiful homes. The one place you can not miss during a visit to Belfast is the Belfast Castle. Enjoy a lovely dinner and then walk around the grounds for an incredible and memorable view of the city. The Catholic churches in Belfast are among the most beautiful in the world and I suggest visiting the Clonard Monastery. To truly experience the history of Belfast you could visit the Crumlin Road Prison where members of the IRA as well as loyalists were held. A visit to Milltown Cemetery where the members of the IRA are buried will also provide an education on the history of Belfast. It is such a beautiful city and am looking forward to the next visit.

View from Belfast Castle

 Crumlin Road Courthouse

A Belfast Church

Catherine Deneuve with her son Christian

I feel like 2018 was the year of decluttering and thinking long and hard about what we really want in our homes. I'm still trying to part with things that don't spark joy and have to go back to my Marie Kondo book often for inspiration. I think now, more than ever, we want to give gifts that have meaning but that don't take up too much space. The other year I gave my mother a Netflix subscription which she otherwise would not have purchased for herself. Books that you will want to keep forever like a good coffee table book are also lovely because I feel that we can never have too many. This year's Mother's Day Gift Guide starts with a few of my favorites.

Audrey Style, by my friend Pamela Clarke Keogh, has made an appearance in one of my gift guides before however I highly recommend this book and it will likely appear again for that reason. Audrey's timeless and elegant style is captured in over 90 photographs and the book features interviews by legends including Hubert de Givenchy, Gregory Peck and Nancy Reagan.

Marella Agnelli: The Last Swan Eternal style, grace and exquisite taste- this book features the captivating homes and truly unrivaled personal style of Marella Agnelli. Perfect for the mother with excellent taste.

Farm From Home: A Year of Stories, Pictures and Recipes from a City Girl in the Country Another woman with incredible personal style, this book by Amanda Brooks is a lovely gift for the mother who lives in the country or just enjoys the lifestyle and a chic, country aesthetic.

Tonne Goodman: Point of View I'm always looking for inspiration images, either for my mood boards or Instagram and Pinterest. Often when I stumble on a particularly inspirational image it happens to be the work of Tonne Goodman. A friend purchased this for her mother in law and I think it is a very thoughtful gift for the woman who has classic and cool style.

Cabana Anthology is like a greatest hits of Cabana Magazine and focuses on interior design, lifestyle, architecture and related luxuries. I've been told that I overuse the word chic but there is no other word to describe it. This is a perfect gift for a stylish mother.

Back to Audrey again, the book What Would Audrey Do, also by my talented friend Pamela Keogh, is available at Locust Valley Book Store. She is such a throwback to another era and mothers of all ages should enjoy reading about this elegant humanitarian.

A nice pair of stylish readers is a gift that will be treasured for years to come. These classic Celine Frames are ready for the right prescription and are the perfect companion to a good coffee table book.

This Olivia Von Halle Coco silk satin pajama set is so luxurious and cozy.

I'm such a fan of Aesop products and love to give them as gifts. This Resurrection Duet, featuring a hand wash and balm, smells so fresh and clean and is sure to be appreciated.

Feu de Bois by Diptyque is one of my personal favorites. I especially love it during the fall because of its woodsy scent but find that it is also beautiful year round. 

I might be biased however I think you can never go wrong if you give the gift of cashmere. Our Habitually Chic Bela Wrap is a nice neutral for the mother who is drawn to classic colors.

These brigadeiros from Carioca Bakery are so delicious that they will be enjoyed quickly upon arrival. There are various sizes to choose from including this Ipanema Box featuring 30 brigadeiros.

Flowers are lovely however flowers in this Lapis Lazuli Vase from Gray Antiques and Interiors are even lovelier and ensure that your gift will be enjoyed for many years.

Current Spring Beauty Favorites: Darphin Lumiere Essentielle Oil Gel-Cream, Chantecaille Lipstick in Narcissia, Chanel Ombre Premiere Eyeshadow in Scintillance, Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser, Giorgio Armani Face Fabric, Biologique Recherche Lotion P50, RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek in Demure, Indie Lee I-Waken Eye Serum and Clarins UV Plus Broad Spectrum Sunscreen 

Last month I spent a few glorious days in London and have suggestions for where to visit if you are only there for a short period of time. I stayed at The Orange Public House & Hotel on Pimlico Road (featured in my last post) in Belgravia near Sloane Square and it was absolutely perfect.

There is a Farmers' Market across the street on Saturday and Daylesford Farm Shop is just a few steps away as well. Their organic juices are delicious and all of their produce is fresh and organic.

Pimlico Road is home to many of the finest antique and interiors shops.  For fashion, the shops in Sloane Square are within walking distance. For resort wear visit Heidi Klein and for dresses visit Emilia Wickstead. For a casual, healthy lunch be sure to stop by Wulf & Lamb. The menu is vegan and also delicious and I think even meat lovers would enjoy it there. My friend, the artist Kathy Leeds, recommended La Poule au Pot for dinner however unfortunately I couldn't get a table. I suggest making a reservation in advance for this cozy, popular spot. Kathy recommends the mussels and frites. 

Near La Poule au Pot is 10 Ebury Street which is the home where Mozart composed his first symphony.

Mozart's former home

The entire Belgravia neighborhood is so beautiful and I suggest strolling around the neighborhood and enjoying all of the charming shops and cafes.

Christopher Butterworth on Pimlico Road

For more shopping be sure to visit Marylebone High Street but first stop in for a drink and lunch at Chiltern Firehouse and try to get a spot by the fire. If you are a magazine aficionado like me then you must visit Shreeji News, across the street from Chiltern Firehouse at 6 Chiltern Street, for hard to find international magazines. They are opening a reading cafe in the back of the shop soon and they carry the chicest publications including Cabana, Mastermind and the very best Vogues.

Also in the neighborhood is La Portegna for custom monogrammed bags, small leather goods and leather sandals. This Spanish shop understands quality and uses exceptional leather. During my next visit I will pick up red leather sandals and a monogrammed wallet. The neighborhood also has the loveliest men's shop, Trunk, which also has a location in Zurich. I love an independent book store and Daunt Books is a must visit.

Wine and cheese lovers have to experience La Fromagerie. It is the closest thing to heaven. In addition to Marylebone they have shops in Highbury and Bloomsbury.

The highlight of my time in London was the Dior themed afternoon tea at The Berkeley Hotel in Knightsbridge. We heard that the hotel is a favorite of Victoria Beckham which is no surprise. Their attention to detail and level of service is superb.

Iconic British stores to visit include Harrods and Selfridges.

If you are pressed for time, as I was, and can only visit two museums I suggest The National Gallery and the Victoria and Albert Museum. Unfortunately the Dior exhibit at the Victoria and Albert Museum was sold out by the time I arrived so I suggest going first thing in the morning rather than later in the day. It is still worth the visit even without viewing the fashion exhibit. The National Gallery, however, is my top choice for London museums.

My final suggestion for London is to walk as much as possible and avoid taxis and Ubers. Every street was beautiful and I stumbled into little cafes and quaint shops all over the city. A stroll through St James's Park in Westminster is an absolute must and is such a beautiful sight to see. Below are shots that I took while wandering around the city.