As the new creative director of Orange County’s iconic St. John Knits (stjohnknits.com), Zoe Turner is leading the brand into its next era, which will toast its 60th anniversary in 2022.
1 What drew you to the St. John brand? St. John is American luxury to me, and I was really impressed by the heritage; the brand was built on thoughtful design and understated elegance. Th ere was an instant connection for me with our incredible facilities and expertise. We are one of the pioneers of luxury knitting in the United States and our craft smanship and artisanal quality is unsurpassed. I am excited for more women to see all that our house really has to offer.
2 What do you hope to accomplish in your new role? It is very important for me to make beautiful clothes that evoke an emotional response, and I would like all women to see themselves in St. John. Buttons and jewelry have always been iconic of St. John, and last year we launched footwear and handbags for a full lifestyle experience. I’m very excited to build out the accessories category with new styles coming later this year.
3 What does the art of dressing well mean to you? I believe that clothes reveal a person’s personality. Dressing well supports self-confidence and that’s such an important aspect of our daily communication.
4 Which designers do you enjoy supporting? I appreciate a great vintage find. At the moment, I am loving all of the vintage St. John I have tracked down on eBay.
5 What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? Give a girl a great jacket and she can conquer the world.
Photography by: COURTESY OF ST. JOHN
