Profile: Simone Harouche

As I shared yesterday, I’ve known Simone for ages. A fashion stylist and handbag designer, she grew up in a family of designers and manufacturers, and after going to Parsons in NYC, moved back to LA and almost immediately began building her impressive list of clients. Now a mother, she lives in the Beverly Crest neighborhood with her husband Marc and their two beautiful children, son Dashiel and daughter Azlan. Her home, built in the 1930’s, is traditional in style, and over the years has gone through several rounds of additions. Inside, she has created a sanctuary both warm and eclectic, showcasing a mix of unique treasures and a beautiful use of color, texture and pattern. I hope you enjoy this look inside. XXJKE

Beauty

R+T: What are your go-to beauty products? Why?

I love Cle de Peau Concealer, because it hides everything! Lancome Hypnose Mascara, because it stays on, doesn’t clump and make my eyelashes look longer than they are. Serge Lutens Blusher 2, because it is the prettiest color for natural rosy cheeks. Rosewater, because it relaxes me and I can pretend I am at a spa.

R+T: What are the 5 products you couldn’t live without?

Labello chapstick, Face Reality SPF 30 Sunscreen, organic coconut oil, H. Gillerman Tension Remedy essential oil, and cuticle cutters.

R+T: What do you sleep in?

Silk men’s pajamas.

Health

R+T: What do you do to stay healthy and balanced?

I try to stay hydrated by drinking lots of water. Every night before bed, I have hot water with lemon, ginger and honey. I also try to get lots of sleep. “Try” being the operative word here.

R+T: Do you workout, what do you swear by?

I take ballet and pilates regularly. I recently took up ballet after a 20 year hiatus, and i absolutely love it! Not only do I think that it’s a beautiful art form, but I find it super relaxing and calming for my mind, which doesn’t ever like to quiet itself.

R+T: What do you do to relax?

Lately, I have been seeing an acupuncturist every 2 weeks to try to stay balanced and sane. It’s hard sometimes to make time to treat ourselves, but I notice a real difference in the way I feel, so i am going to try to stick with it.

Decor

R+T: What is your design philosophy for your home? 

I am all about “pieces”. I like to start with a piece I love, and then I build a story around that piece and then the room builds from there. My taste ranges from traditional, to mid-century to a bit eclectic. But somehow, I think it all comes together in a somewhat cohesive way.

R+T: What are your favorite pieces in your house?

My Zanini de Zanine rosewood coffee table, my huge faceted art deco mirror from JF Chen.

R+T: What are your favorite home stores?

Nicky Kehoe, Blackman Cruz, Orange and I love a good flea market. Any city in the world that I visit, if I have time, you will definitely find me at a souk, flea market or antique store.

R+T: What is your favorite room in the house?

For decor and vibe, the library. For comfort and coziness, my bedroom. For happiness, my son Dashiel’s room.

Entertaining

R+T: How do you set the scene when you have people over? 

Lighting is key. So is good music and Le Labo Santal 26 scented candles.

R+T: Are there any tips for what to do or what to avoid?

Not necessarily “tips”… I just always want people to feel at ease in my home. I want them to feel comfortable going into the kitchen and helping themselves to whatever they want, or kicking off their shoes and getting cozy on the couch. I don’t like walking into homes where you feel like you are walking into a sterile space or a museum. You can’t relax in an environment like that. Especially with kids…who wants to feel that pressure?

R+T: What is your favorite song/playlist when you have people over?

We have a big record collection and people usually like to play dj when they see the records. So it ranges based on who is selecting the tunes. But it can be anything from jazz, to early hip hop, to classic rock to electronic…

R+T: Plated, Buffet, or Family Style for a dinner party?

Buffet style for sure. We even had buffets at our wedding! I love having lots of food and options for people to help themselves to. I take extra pleasure when people go back for seconds, or thirds, even though, most likely i wasn’t the one who cooked the dishes.

R+T: What are your favorite flowers and where do you buy them?

I love peonies. I buy them from anyone and everywhere that I can find them when they are in season.

R+T: Do you do them yourself or do you use a florist?

For flowers in my home, I always do them myself. I love buying flowers and creating arrangements. But when I send flowers, I use florists.

R+T: Who is your favorite florist?

I love Lily Lodge in West Hollywood. They have a beautiful collection of antique and contemporary vases and vessels. The vessels are actually also part of the arrangement. Its a great personal touch, which makes the arrangement that much more special. I found out about them when I had my daughter Azlan. A friend sent me flowers in a porcelain 1950’s pink baby shoe. It was the sweetest thing I had ever seen – so thoughtful and personal for the occasion… I have been obsessed with Lily Lodge ever since.

Fashion

R+T: How would you describe your style?

Moody. I’m a bit of a chameleon. Some days I wear vintage bohemian dresses, other days I feel like being more of a parisian lady, and other days, I’m all rock and roll. I have amassed a very versatile wardrobe over the years of traveling and working as a stylist. So i like to take advantage of the variety in my closet, and dress according to my mood.

R+T: Who are your favorite designers?

Chanel, Miu Miu, Saint Laurent, Margiela & The Row.

R+T: What are the 5 pieces you can’t live without this season?

My new gold Chanel oxfords that seem to be working with all my outfits lately. My Clamdiggin x Simone Camille deer skin backpack that is all hand painted and seriously amazing. A pair of Margiela cropped trousers I bought a few years ago, but just cant beat the fit of them. Vintage Levis, because nothing beats the comfort of a good pair of lived in jeans. Lastly, my Thierry Lasry Strippy sunglasses.

R+T: What is your uniform?

Jeans, ballet flats and a great jacket.

R+T: What is your newest purchase?

A vintage oxblood Hermes Kelly bag from the 60s. Thank you 1stdibs!

Food

R+T: Is there anything about your diet you would like to share with R+T?

Everything in moderation.

R+T: Do you cook?

I try to cook, and I wish I cooked more… unfortunately I don’t have the gift. My husband is a natural cook and Im extremely jealous. He can concoct something tasty from random ingredients of whatever is available in a pantry.

R+T: What is your favorite recipe?

I can make an amazing beef stew.

R+T: What is your child’s favorite recipe?

I have 2 kids, and Dashiel is a picky eater who likes to stick to the basics. And Azlan will eat anything you put in front of her. The only thing they both like in common is lentils with rice and baked sweet potato. Strange choices, I know, but I think it’s because when I was pregnant with both kids, I ate a lot of sweet potatoes and lentils.

Art

R+T: Who are your favorite artists?

Egon Schiele, Simone Shubuck, Gustav Klimt, Francesco Clemente, Aya Takano

R+T: What is your favorite piece of art you own?

My husband just bought me a new Wes Lang for Christmas. I love it!

Kids

R+T: Are there any kids finds you want to share with Rip+Tan?

I am a HUGE online shopper for the kids. some of my favorite sites are Smallable, Thumbeline, Sweet William, Acorn Store and Magic Cabin.

R+T: What are your favorite places to shop for kids? 

In LA, I love Eggy, Bonpoint, and Trico Field.

R+T: What’s your favorite thing to do/place to go on the weekends with your kids?

My son loves the ocean, so we like to take him to the beach as much as we can. But, most times we just like spending time together with the kids at home. But I have to say, my absolute favorite thing to do is spend sunday nights together as a family. We either cook or go out to eat with the kids. I love family dinners.

R+T: What is your favorite restaurant to eat at with the whole family?

My son’s favorite place to go is the coffee shop aka Fountain Room at the Beverly Hills Hotel. He loves sitting on the stools, and watching the chef make his pancakes. Breakfast, lunch or dinner, Dashiel always gets blueberry pancakes. We go there a lot on Sundays… We also love to go to the farmers market on 3rd and fairfax, my daughter Azlan loves to watch all the action.

Shopping & Blogs

R+T: What are your favorite stores to shop for clothing?

Resurrection, Maxfield, Barneys, Curve & What Goes Around Comes Around.

R+T: What is your favorite city for shopping?

Paris

R+T: What are your favorite sites for shopping?

1stdibs.com

R+T: Are you an impulse buyer, or do you wait to commit?

Impulse all the way.

Styling & Design

R+T: Can you share a bit about your journey in the world of fashion? How does your role as stylist inform that of handbag designer, and visa versa?

I started styling in 2002 when I graduated from college. I got my start working for a couple amazing stylists. I got my big break working for Christina Aguilera as she was about to start promo and press for her album “Back To Basics”. I was only 24 at the time, and my first job on my own was with Christina and Ellen Von Unwerth… So needless to say, my mind was pretty blown.

Styling and designing go hand in hand.  Ever since I began styling, I was simultaneously designing custom clothes from my clients for them to wear on the red carpet or for performances. If we couldn’t find something, I would just make it. I like to create fantasy worlds… thats why I have always predominantly worked with musicians. Because through music, you have more freedom to create characters and fantasies. What you listen to needs to match the artist that you are looking at singing…. it all goes hand in hand.

R+T: How would you describe the Simone Camille aesthetic?

For all intensive purposes, I will describe the aesthetic as bohemian luxury with an attention to detail.

R+T: What are some of your sources of inspiration?

I would definitely say I’m inspired by my love of travel and my love of vintage. I love to travel and discover new places. I know it sounds a bit cliché, but traveling always recharges me creatively. Art is also a big source of inspiration.

R+T: What is your process when working with a client?

All my clients are different, and they have different ideas on how they want to look and present themselves to the world. My job then, is to try to see the world through their eyes and take their visions and make it a reality. Clothing is an extension of their artistic expression.

R+T: Any favorite designers to pull from?

I love when I get to work with Couturiers on their couture collections. Being able to see up close and personal the work of what hundreds of hours of skilled crafts people can create is truly inspiring.

I have lots of love and respect for so many designers, that it is hard to only list a few.

R+T: Tell us about your collection of antique textiles… How do you find them…and do you have a hard time parting with them when incorporating into your one-of-a-kind bags?

I travel a lot. And every place I visit, I try to find flea markets, souks, or antique stores. My favorite place for handcrafted textiles is India. Some of the hand embroidered tribal fabrics I have acquired are truly stunning and I have been known to keep a secret stash that I just can’t part with.

R+T: And a bit about your SKINS collection….

I loved the idea of expanding my designs to work with luxe leathers, suede and printed calf hair. Working with these materials allowed to me grow from solely making one of a kind bags. Many of the leather bags still incorporate an element of vintage trims on them to stay true to the Simone Camille aesthetic.

R+T: What is the most rewarding part of your work?

In both styling and designing I love seeing an idea become a finished product. There is nothing more rewarding than taking something from a concept or a simple sketch to a completed result. Whether it be a custom costume for a world tour, a red carpet gown or a beautiful one of a kind bag.