From fledgling founders to experienced entrepreneurs, these chic Bostonians blend sophistication and substance in droves.
CEO & Founder, Modern Health, modernhealth.com
It was a traumatic move to San Francisco that left her homeless, heartbroken and broke which provided the inspiration for Alyson Watson’s company Modern Health. On the brink of giving up in Silicon Valley, she called her dad who reminded her of her resilience, her toughness and his couch if she needed to come home. It was at this moment that she realized it was because someone would always pick up the phone to offer her reassurance and solutions that she was able to overcome setbacks, and many people didn’t have someone to call. Modern Health offers tools for everyone to prioritize their mental health by taking a proactive stance. So when the time comes and all feels hopeless, there is a safety net to cushion the fall and a way forward to brighter days.
DOPPELGANGER: I’ve been told Kate Moss before
Kate Moss, Saint Laurent Womenswear Spring/Summer 2024 Paris Fashion Week.
WELLNESS APP: Modern Health of course!
BEST ADVICE: You can achieve any goal you set your mind to.
DAILY UNIFORM: AGOLDE or RE/DONE jeans and a Veronica Beard blazer
HEELS OR FLATS: Sneakers
Maison Louis Marie No.04 Eau de Parfum, $93, maisonlouismarie.com
SILK OR CASHMERE: Silk
MINI OR MAXI: Mini
DIAMONDS OR PEARLS: Diamonds
SIGNATURE ACCESSORY: Foundrae Resilience necklaces
FAVORITE EVENING LOOK: Leather pants and bodysuit
GO-TO WEEKEND OUTFIT: Lululemon sweatsuit or jeans, T-shirt and Frame leather jacket
FAVORITE LOCAL CLOTHING STORE: The Assembly in Hingham
THE ULTIMATE STYLE SECRET: Simple with an edge
STYLE ICON-PAST OR PRESENT: Bridget Bardot
BEST FASHION ERA: The 70s
FIRST FASHION MEMORY: Modeling for the Under Armour runway show in Baltimore in college
3 WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE: Classic, fun, bohemian
FAVORITE DESIGNER: Veronica Beard
Veronica Beard Ellette Dickey jacket, $1,998, veronicabeard.com
TRENDS OR TIMELESS: Timeless
FAVORITE FASHIONISTA: Rocky Barnes
FAVORITE SCENT: Maison Louis Marie No.04 Bois de Balincourt Eau de Parfum
BOLD OR NEUTRAL COLORS:Neutral
STATEMENT NECKLACE OR EARRINGS: Necklace
STRIPES OR FLORALS: Florals
FAVORITE FASHION CAPITAL/DESTINATION: New York City or Paris
FAVORITE FASHION QUOTE: “In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.” Coco Chanel
Boston Celtics in-arena host, melisavaldez.com
Although Melisa Valdez lives an ocean apart from her native Dominican Republic, she brings the island’s culture to the TD Garden in her role as the Celtics in-arena host. Each time she steps onto the court in her sexy, sporty style, she brings her background, her love of art and her talent as a performer out there with her. From an early age, she was inspired to pursue a creative career and when she moved to the United States at the age of five, she soon began commuting to Boston for auditions and dance classes. For years she auditioned, toured with various artists and danced in Boston’s clubs all while attending college to finish her degree. The hustle paid off. The nightlife scene led her to Brek One, the DJ for the Celtics, who eventually recommended her for the in-arena host position. Whether she’s amping up the crowd or interviewing a player after a winning game, she is representing her past and the future that she never gave up on.
DAILY UNIFORM: I’m usually in green for work
HEELS OR FLATS: Heels, but I also love sneakers
SILK OR CASHMERE: Silk
MINI OR MAXI: Both!
DIAMONDS OR PEARLS: Diamonds
SIGNATURE ACCESSORY: Gold hoops
Saks Fifth Avenue Collection gold hoops, $1,250, saksfifthavenue.com
FAVORITE EVENING LOOK: An elegant, black, long, satin dress never fails
Stella McCartney satin gown, $2,900, saksfifthavenue.com
GO-TO WEEKEND OUTFIT: A loose wide leg pant and a fitted top
FAVORITE LOCAL CLOTHING STORE: Riccardi Boston and House of Culture
ESCAPE: Skylark Hotel in Negril Jamaica
The Skylark Negril Beach Resort, skylarknegril.com
DINNER: Contessa
The Ken Fulk-designed Contessa restaurant, contessaristorante. com
STYLE ICON-PAST OR PRESENT: Rihanna
BEST FASHION ERA: The 90s!
FIRST FASHION MEMORY: My ninth birthday party where I wore a crop top with baggy jeans… Nothing has changed
3 WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE: Sexy, edgy, versatile
FAVORITE DESIGNER: June Ambrose
TRENDS OR TIMELESS: Timeless
FAVORITE FASHIONISTA: Tracee Ellis Ross and Lori Harvey
FAVORITE SCENT: YSL Libre perfume
BOLD OR NEUTRAL COLORS: Depends on my mood
STATEMENT NECKLACE OR EARRINGS: Earrings are a daily must!
FASHION MENTOR: I’m inspired by many different women in my life
STRIPES OR FLORALS: Florals
FAVORITE FASHION CAPITAL/DESTINATION: New York City
FAVORITE FASHION QUOTE: “Fashion is mute, style gives it voice.” June Ambrose
CEO, Ebi, weareebi.com
Breighl Robbins’ advice to new mammas is, mother you. After her own pregnancy, she realized there wasn’t a wellness line dedicated to caring for postpartum women who need to care for themselves so they’re able to properly care for their babies who depend on them. She created Ebi, named after the Yoruba word for family, in the traditions of encouraging and supporting new mother’s well-being with high-quality, nourishing, plant-based products made from clean ingredients. Chamomile flowers in the tea are grown in Vermont, sea salt in the bath is harvested in Martha’s Vineyard, the cotton is organic and the products are handmade in her Boston studio. Robbins brings her academic background in public health, her work in integrative medicine and her profound experience with motherhood to the company’s voice which advocates for the importance of self-care and support for new mothers. “The way we show up for ourselves is how we show up for others.”
b: Neutrals and a bold earring or bag
HEELS OR FLATS: Flats
SILK OR CASHMERE: Cashmere
MINI OR MAXI: Mini
DIAMONDS OR PEARLS: Both
SIGNATURE ACCESSORY: Statement earrings
FAVORITE EVENING LOOK: Full glam
GO-TO WEEKEND OUTFIT: Baby tee, good jeans, walking shoes
FAVORITE LOCAL CLOTHING STORE: Mr. Sid
ESCAPE: Deià, Mallorca
Panoramic view over Deià, Mallorca
WEAKNESS: Perrier Jouet Blanc de Blanc
Perrier-Jouet Blanc de Blancs Champagne, $85, perrier-jouet.com
THE ULTIMATE STYLE SECRET: Beauty is a feeling
STYLE ICON-PAST OR PRESENT: Princess Diana and Diahann Carroll
Portrait of African American actress Diahann Carroll, New York, 1973
BEST FASHION ERA: Chanel in the 80s
FIRST FASHION MEMORY: Watching To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar for the first time
3 WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE: Timeless, effortless, elegant
FAVORITE DESIGNER: Elie Saab and Schiaparelli
FAVORITE FASHIONISTA: Bettina Looney
FAVORITE SCENT: Aqua Celestia
SUPPLEMENTS: Biotin, Nutrafol and The Tisane by Ebi
The Tisane by Ebi, $ 40, weareebi.com
BOLD OR NEUTRAL COLORS: Both
STATEMENT NECKLACE OR EARRINGS: Earrings
FASHION MENTOR: My mom
STRIPES OR FLORALS: Florals
FAVORITE FASHION CAPITAL/ DESTINATION: Paris
FAVORITE FASHION QUOTE: “Larger than life is just the right size.” Vida Boheme
Owner Beacon Hill Books & Cafe, bhbooks.com
When Melissa Fetter returned to Beacon Hill after living there in the 1980s, she was shocked to discover that there was no longer a single bookstore in the historic, charming and touristy neighborhood. She purchased the Greek Revival 1840s brick townhouse at 71 Charles Street, which formerly housed The Hungry I restaurant, and set about transforming the five floors into a multilevel retail space filled with books. Fetter hired Pauli & Uribe Architects for the renovation to restore and modernize the building and relied upon the stylings of Cathy Kincaid Interiors for the elegant and whimsical aesthetic. The bottom floor retained its culinary history, but was given new life as a café. Soon after its opening in 2022, the bookstore became a destination for locales and visitors alike, often attracting lines to get in on the weekends, proving that we all still love a good story.
Beacon Hill Books & Cafe on Charles Street in Beacon Hill
DAILY UNIFORM: White jeans, T-shirt and a piece of vintage jewelry
HEELS OR FLATS: Chanel flats
SILK OR CASHMERE: A blend, it’s the best of both!
MINI OR MAXI: Maxi
DIAMONDS OR PEARLS: Diamonds
SIGNATURE ACCESSORY: A great Bottega Veneta purse
FAVORITE EVENING LOOK: Long skirt and tailored blouse paired with a fabulous belt
GO-TO WEEKEND OUTFIT: Jeans and a cashmere sweater
FAVORITE LOCAL CLOTHING STORE: Serenella
LOCAL HAUNT: Beacon Hill Books & Cafe
THE ULTIMATE STYLE SECRET: Invest in a good tailor!
STYLE ICON-PAST OR PRESENT: Carolina Herrera, the epitome of elegance
BEST FASHION ERA: 1960’s
FIRST FASHION MEMORY: My mother’s black Chanel suit with hot pink trim circa 1972
3 WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE: Classic, polished and collected
FAVORITE DESIGNER: Hermés
TRENDS OR TIMELESS: Timeless
FAVORITE FASHIONISTA: Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
FAVORITE SCENT: Chantecaille Le Wild
BOLD OR NEUTRAL COLORS: Neutrals paired with a pop of color
STATEMENT NECKLACE OR EARRINGS: Verdura rope necklace
FASHION MENTOR: Too many to enumerate
Founder, Little Cocoa Bean Company, littlecocoabeanco.com
It’s often hard to find a spot at the stroller parking lot outside the Little Cocoa Bean tot cafe. The bright, welcoming space opened by Tracy Skelly is a haven for parents desperate to entertain their children and give them a healthy meal, and for kids who delight in the many toys in the play area. On most days the tot cafe becomes a gathering spot for parents, nannies and kids who can relax knowing this place is made for them. Skelly originally started her food business when she was a new working mother who was unable to find nutritious baby foods with culturally diverse flavors. She wanted to be able to introduce her daughter to heritage foods in the tradition of the African Diaspora. For her Panamanian background, this meant collards, chayote, papaya and tamarind. “I hope to provide access to fresh, healthy food for babies and toddlers that encourages eating a diverse diet.”
DAILY UNIFORM: Brochu Walker Kate shirt, MOTHER jeans and Saysh One shoes with a bag and jewelry
MOTHER, The Hustler Roller Sneak, $258, motherdenim.com
HEELS OR FLATS: Flats, I’m chasing after toddlers
SILK OR CASHMERE: Silk
MINI OR MAXI: Maxi
DIAMONDS OR PEARLS: Diamonds
SIGNATURE ACCESSORY: A pair of earrings from my mom that include a mix of gold finishes, different textures and swoop in a really fun pattern
FAVORITE EVENING LOOK: I love a silk kaftan, heels and goddess braids
GO-TO WEEKEND OUTFIT: Farm Rio top or a Pangaia sweatshirt with jeans
Pangaia 365 Midweight sweatshirt, $155, pangaia.com
FAVORITE LOCAL CLOTHING STORE: Adorn Me Africa
HOTEL: Fairmont Copley
The grand interior of the Fairmont Copley Plaza, fairmont.com
THE ULTIMATE STYLE SECRET: Wear things that make you feel beautiful. Confidence is the most luxurious thing you can put on each day
BEST FASHION ERA: Black women in the 70s were jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring and absolutely everything.
FIRST FASHION MEMORY: My great aunt bought me a sewing kit when I was nine. I took patches from old clothes to make skirts and dresses for my Barbies.
FAVORITE DESIGNER: Aurora James
TRENDS OR TIMELESS: Timeless
FAVORITE FASHIONISTA: Lori Harvey
FAVORITE SCENT: Byredo Gypsy Water
BOLD OR NEUTRAL COLORS: Bold
STATEMENT NECKLACE OR EARRINGS: Earrings
FASHION MENTOR: Ann Lowe
STRIPES OR FLORALS: Florals
FAVORITE FASHION QUOTE: “I’m not just interested in making something pretty, it has to be personal too.” Kenneth Ize
Photography by: CHERYL RICHARDS; STEPHANE CARDINALE - CORBIS/CORBIS VIA G ETTY IMAGES; COURTESY OF THE BRANDS; MIA ANDRE OLI; MICHAEL CONDRAN; COURTESY OF THE BRANDS; ANTHONY BARBOZA/GETTY IMAGES; COURTESY OF THE BRAND; TINA BURGESS; ELLEN VAN BODEGOM/GETTY IMAGES; EVGENIA ELISEEVA; SARAH WINCHESTER; FENA PHOTOGRAPHY; COURTESY OF THE BRANDS
