Welcome to the March edition of A Common Thread – where fashion and cancer intersect. This is my happy place, a unique platform to share some of the most innovative fashion brands that offer up serious style as well as function. The best part? You get to meet the designers behind them!
I’m so excited for you to meet my dear friend Lori Goldstein, iconic fashion stylist and the designer behind LOGO by Lori Goldstein at QVC. Lori has worked alongside some very influential fashion photographers including Annie Leibovitz and Steven Meisel and has styled for legendary designers including Donatella Versace and Vera Wang.
Lori was touched very closely by triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) just two years ago when her sister Marla was diagnosed with this very aggressive disease — and ultimately lost her life to it. Marla’s amazing daughter Alison (Lori’s niece) called the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation to see how they could help, and the rest is history! This amazing family is deeply committed to partnering with the TNBC Foundation to raise awareness about this aggressive form of breast cancer and has since launched a beautiful collaboration with AnaOno Intimates to create a special collection of lounge and sleepwear. Not only is it gorgeous, but 10% of net proceeds are donated to the Foundation.
March is Triple Negative Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so I simply couldn’t think of a better guest to chat with than Lori! Read on to learn more about Lori, and get some expert fashion advice for when you’re undergoing breast cancer treatment and surgery. I promise you’ll love her playful, eclectic style as well as her mantra: “Anything goes with everything.”
When did you first realize that you were interested in fashion?
Ever since I was a little kid I was obsessed with clothes, and I always loved anything that did not match, and that has really become my signature. I think I always had a love and appreciation for fashion from the beginning. As long as I can remember, I was cutting my clothes and inventing my own style. When my mother would say, “What are you wearing or why are you wearing that?” I would respond, “Why not?”
What was one of your favorite moments as a stylist and why?
I’ve been so fortunate to have had this amazing career that allowed me to have so many amazing moments. There are too many to count! From being able to travel to the most beautiful places in the world, working with the most creative talented teams, designers, photographers…working with the most exquisite garments, jewelry accessories…the list goes on and on. It’s so hard to pinpoint my absolute favorite. It’s a collective of favorite moments and it just keeps growing.
When did you launch LOGO and why did you decide to become a fashion designer?
It was about 15 years ago when I launched my collection at QVC. My whole journey in this fashion business has been really incredible because I was never one of those people who knew I wanted to be a stylist or knew I wanted to be a designer. I sort of just knew that I wanted to do it all and I had this incredible styling career working with so many incredible designers and photographers creating these amazing editorials and working with fabulous clients. All of that is really what helped me get to the point of creating my own collection and wanting to give back and share everything I’ve learned.
Describe LOGO, how is it different from other fashion brands?
LOGO is all about inclusivity, comfort and feeling luxurious. It’s about going into your closet and mixing and matching…having fun and loving the way you look and feel. LOGO is how I have dressed my whole life. My motto is “Anything Goes with Everything” and I’ve brought that to my collection. LOGO gives women the “Permission to Play” (another one of my mottos). So many women come to me and say, “I never thought I could wear leggings or colors or patterns until I found your collection.” And that just means everything to me.
From where do you draw your inspiration for your distinctive and beautiful prints?
I am constantly inspired by nature. The color of the sky, flowers, trees, animals…. All of what mother nature gives us makes me insane and I just absorb it all. I am also inspired by art and art can take many forms. I love to be inspired and from my inspiration I love dreaming and contemplating, and from that I create.
Your beautiful sister Marla had triple negative breast cancer. She was so lucky to have you by her side for many reasons, but sounds like you would help style her for her chemo days. What kind of garments did you suggest that she wear and why?
Marla always had such an incredible sense of style and as you can imagine she was one of our biggest LOGO fans. Marla really pointed out to me that the softness of the clothing felt comfortable on her skin particularly as she was undergoing treatment. We’ve received so many comments from ladies letting us know that our clothing is the only clothing they can wear whether it be that they are undergoing treatment, have fibromyalgia or other skin conditions.
I remember how Marla loved her LOGO layers. She would always have on our LOGO layers rayon-span tank and layer on an easy French terry hoodie. She could find she could easily get in and out of the clothing and always looked instant chic. Her go-to staple for bottoms were of course our leggings. They are an essential part of our line and will become an essential part of anyone’s everyday dressing.
What do you think her biggest fashion challenge was and how did you resolve it?
The genius part of Marla is she had a lot of confidence and really didn’t have any fashion challenges. She truly embraced her new body. Maybe she was a little insecure about her scars and felt that she could not ever wear a low neckline — but our collection has never been about a low neckline. Swimwear was a challenge but maybe not for too long.
From a styling perspective, what advice would you offer to women who are undergoing breast cancer treatment?
Oh gosh, clothes can feel so irrelevant when you are undergoing treatment, but at the same time they can also make us feel better. I believe in being fearless and not worrying what someone else thinks. I realize we can sometimes be our worst critic, but it is so important to be gentle with ourselves too and don’t get discouraged. Try things out that you are attracted to and then narrow it down. Don’t be afraid of color. Sometimes just a beautiful print or a pop of a gorgeous color can make us look and feel better no matter what the day may have in store for us.
What kind of neckline do you think is most flattering for someone who has had breast reconstruction?
It’s funny because I have never been about a neckline. I prefer to cover up — it’s just been my style. You’ll notice that I always start with an underpinning — or a layer. I usually cover my arms too. I also think it’s so important to embrace whatever makes you feel comfortable. We have this fabulous mesh collection — it feels like butter on the skin but it’s a great piece to have underneath any top and it can give extra coverage for anyone not wanting to show too much of a neckline. I also like to layer amazing jewelry too — just another way to cover a neckline.
Do you think fashion can help you feel confident? If yes, how?
I think embracing your individuality and uniqueness in fashion helps you feel confident. Feeling empowered to wear what you feel for that day and realizing that every day is different and embracing that. Every day, we get the gift to go into our closet and play…really play with our clothes.
March is Triple Negative Breast Cancer Awareness Month. You’ve recently worked on some wonderful collaborations with the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation. Please tell us why you’re so passionate about supporting the Foundation and what kind of projects you’ve done with them.
My sister Marla really is the one who introduced myself and my niece, Alison, to the foundation. Alison is really the conduit for connecting me to the organization. After Marla’s passing, Alison reached out to the foundation to offer our support and share Marla’s journey. We understand firsthand how important genetic testing is with this disease and it is extremely important to us to make sure that everyone knows how this type of breast cancer is one of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer, who it impacts, what your risks are based on your demographic and how knowledge is power to fight this disease.
You’ve also partnered with Dana Donofree of AnaOno Intimates, please tell us about that as well!
Ok, well first…[I] love Dana and the entire AnaOno team…and did I mention that Dana is an Ohio gal too!!! What is so incredible about AnaOno is their Boob Inclusivity and LOGO has always been about inclusivity since day one… so this just had to happen. The collaboration is totally inclusive and totally about celebrating who you are. What I love about the collection is that it is so smart and adaptable to all types of body types and chests. And if we can just talk a minute about the pajama set…well it’s just everything. The accessibility of getting into it from the front and then [it] even has a drain belt management system if needed. It’s a beautiful collection, smart technology and inclusive to all.
Any new projects coming up?
I will say there are some exciting collaborations on the horizon and of course we always have fabulous newness coming all the time.
Please share a fun fact about yourself.
I just became a new dog mom. I forgot how much work a puppy is…but so fun and worth it!
