The Look Book

Lisa Falcone, Writer, with Liliana and Carolina

"If I teach my kids to be casual, then fashion will die."

By Amy Larocca
Published Nov 20, 2005

(Photo: Jake Chessum)

How old are your daughters?
They’re 9 months old, and they’re twins. I did IVF and got pregnant with them on the third try. Isn’t technology wonderful?

Do you have other children as well?
I have three other kids—my pooches, Venus, Aphrodite, and Zena. Two Yorkies and a Chihuahua. We’re five girls and a boy.

What are you doing today?
We were just visiting Dad. Sometimes, when my husband works late, I’ll bring the girls over the next day. We do a feeding there in his office. He runs a hedge fund—but believe me, when we met, we had no cash!

What do you do?
I started out modeling. When I met my husband, I started freelance editing, and now I’m writing a novel.

What’s it about?
I can’t tell you. It’s inspired by a true story, it will be published anonymously, and I will donate all the money to kids.

How do you describe your style?
Life is colorful! This is a Valentino jacket, a Prada sweater, and Prada boots. I collect things, I shop at the flea market, and I’m really good at trunk shows. And I work around things well. For example, I’m a vegetarian, but I’ll wear leather because it could be killed for meat. Therefore, I’m being an environmentalist. And I love fur, but I buy mine at the flea market and only if it’s 50 years old, because 50 years ago we were not familiar with the way they kill animals. And I borrowed Liliana’s dress from Oscar de la Renta recently.

What do you mean?
I bought a dress at Oscar de la Renta that reminds me of Liliana. It’s like a cupcake. I put it in a box with a note telling her all about the night I wore it. When the girls turn 18, I will give them the keys to a storage space. I’m putting all sorts of things in it.

Do you always dress your daughters so beautifully?
Yes. Today they’re wearing Bonpoint dresses, shoes from Flora and Henri, and blouses from Barneys. When they’re sleeping, I plan their outfits for the next day. I constantly see kids dressed casual, and I just feel that if I teach my kids to be casual, then fashion will die. And I’m not going to let that happen on my watch!