She wears a hat by WILLIE COLE x COMME DES GARÇONS (FW21), and two dresses and an arm protector by COMME DES GARÇONS (SS14). For Michelle Elie, fashion is a matter of life and death. When she gave birth to her eldest son, she carefully deliberated over what fabric to swaddle him in. She’s already planning her burial outfit. The Haitian-born, Cologne-based jewelry designer, editor and model is one of those rare people whose approach to dress is characterized not just by pleasure, but by absolute devotion. Elie is best known for her extensive Comme des Garçons collection. She bought her first piece in New York in 1992 when she landed a beauty campaign with Maybelline. Several years later, after moving to Germany with her husband, she acquired another piece from Rei Kawakubo’s now-renowned 1997 collection Body Meets Dress, Dress Meets Body. In more recent years, Elie has become a remarkable fixture on the fashion circuit: lauded not only for her jaw-dropping style but for her This story is from Kinfolk Issue Forty-Four Buy Now Related Stories Fashion Films Issue 47 Farida Khelfa France’s fashion muse. Fashion Issue 47 Between Us The world looks brighter among old friends. Fashion Issue 47 Veneda Carter An interview with a superstar stylist. Design Fashion Issue 47 Jean Touitou The A.P.C. founder on the demands of hype and craft. Arts & Culture Fashion Issue 47 Last Night What did New York stylist Beverly Nguyen do with her evening? Fashion Issue 46 Home Free The upside of downtime on a slow Sunday afternoon.
Arts & Culture Fashion Issue 47 Last Night What did New York stylist Beverly Nguyen do with her evening?