Talking to The Contessa Of Fashion

✍🏽 Germán Malaver [@german_malaver]

📸 Carla Coulson

👸🏻 Elizabeth Kirkpatrick [The Contessa]

📍 Orinda, California (United States)

At Escribe Germador [@germador_] we’re very blissful to be able to travel around the world, to learn about new cultures, other languages, delicious food, incredible landscapes, magnificent music, books that lead us to imagine and people who remain engraved on heart, as our guest of today, that surprised us with whit this wonderful interview, full memories, teachings, wisdom, patience, passion and lots of love for what she does, with you from Orinda, California (United States), Elizabeth Kirkpatrick better known as The Contessa.

✅ G.M. Mrs. Contessa for me it´s a pleasure that you’ve granted this interview, I know that you have several commitments. This conversation will be relaxed and I hope that you like it!

✅ T.C. Thanks Germán to you for the invitation to your website, I’m very happy! I know I’ll like it very much.

✅ G.M. Thanks so much, you’re a lovely woman (I tell you with respect), Well, tell me a little about you, Who’s The Contessa?

✅ T.C. Thanks so much Germán!

That’s a very question! She’s a woman who is still searching for next adventure! She loves beautiful fashion, good manners, animals and a life worth living! She finds beauty in her day to day living. It’s all in the details and follow though.

✅ G.M. Oh amazing! This answer really, I loved!

So, why do you like vintage fashion?

✅ T.C. Well, I adore vintage fashion, because it’s made so well! The fact, that’s still here tells you it was made right! My mother always said: “If you hold on to it long enough, it’ll come back into fashion”. Vintage adds an element of grace and beauty we don’t see in today’s clothing.

✅ G.M. Very wise your mum, ma’am!

✅ T.C. Yep! She was very wise.

✅ G.M. Now, what does fashion mean to you?

✅ T.C. So, a statement of who you are. If you wear bold colours and large jewels, you’re to me a happy person. If you put clothes on to be covered with no thought or purpose, you’re relay not complimenting yourself! Don’t we hear a lot about selfcare in todays society? Your clothes should tell a story about the person within them.

✅ G.M. I like thy answers, are very specific, I’m fascinated by this conversation! So, does your family support you in this dream rang The Vintage Contessa?

✅ T.C. No! they tell me, that I live in my own little world! A make-believe world which I take as a compliment! One needs to get through the day as there’s not much good new in our world at the moment so if I need to create and be creative, I’ll do it! There’s nothing wrong with that in my mind. For example: I talk to the animals in Italian, I set a beautiful table each night as if you were coming to dinner as you Dora or Germán, and I wear long gowns with aprons! It all makes me blissful! Let´s make the best of what we’ve and create memories!

✅ G.M. And believe me that soon we’ll have dinner, I will prepare you something typical of Colombia, for example: «Sancocho», «bandeja paisa»… talk about food, I’m hungry (lol).

✅ T.C. (Laughing), me too.

It’s sounds delicious, we wait for you.

✅ G.M. Thanks so much madame!

Let’s continue in this interview, now, tell me, how do you unite the passion for animals and fashion?

✅ T.C. Easy! I’ve a passion for furry beasties and the well adorned woman! I cannot understand anyone not living animals, they give so much back to you from their eyes to their moves of affection. If one has passion, you’ll be united! What’s a beautiful curated home without a dog lounging about or a cat curled up in a Velvet Chair? Then there is that piggy of ours who likes to be where I’m and has a tuffet in most rooms to be perched upon!

✅ G.M. You´re right! Like looks better with a pet.

How many pets do you have and what kind of animals are they?

✅ T.C. I own a cardigan corgi named Sir Wiston, best dog ever! One orange striped cat named Theodore or Theodorable as we call him and a teacup pig who live in the house with us! 13 chickens, 1 dove, goldfish in the fountain and I’d have many more, if we had the room. Animals bring so much joy and love to our lives and we humans could always use more of that in our day to day living!

✅ G.M. Oh my Goodness! I would like to have also several animals, but I cannot, I live in place that doesn’t allow me to have so many animals. I only two cats called Tinker Bell and Tiger, I want 2 British bulldogs (the couple), and I want them to be called Anabella and Oliver.

(I make an intervention, the interview was conducted some time ago, and sadly Sir Winston died, peace in his grave, strength for his family).

So, what do think about the new concepts in fashion?

✅ T.C. So cute!

I adore the high waisted pant and the full pants as it’s so much more becoming. I prefer not to worry about the new concepts, but to follow my own path! Admire woman who follow their own path like Iris Apfel and Tziporah Salamon, they’ve always bought and worn what they love, it’s a good rule to follow. Don’t be a copy cat and follow trends, make your own statement with what you look good in and what makes your heart sing! I promise you will turn heads at the grocery store.

✅ G.M. Thy words are magic!

In this century’s vintage style viable?

✅ T.C. Thanks you!

Certainly, we’re living in a world where we need to recycle! Less waste is always a good start. Use what’s already her until it’s threadbare. Re-invent it! Perhaps, take an old dress and make handbags or a vest from it. I use to buy old floral curtains at estate sales and have them made into long flowing full -length coats or robes, perfect for going to the chicken coop to collect the morning eggs!

✅ G.M. I love it! You should have a T.V. show.

✅ T.C. (Giggling).

✅ G.M. (Lol).

How’d you define your style?

✅ T.C. Graceful flamboyance with old-world elegance. Stately flair of bold colour.

✅ G.M. Cute!

And how do you see fashion in the United States?

✅ T.C. I’m going to be very direct! I live in California which’s probably the most casual state of the union. I find the fashion in Northern California, “sloopy.” There is a desire to be comfortable, we see people in their nightwear roaming the streets and schools. There’s very little thought on hoy you look or represent the family! The three colours that describe most of the population are: black, grey and denim. During the holiday I was in the shopping district a lot and didn’t see any holiday cheer! Meaning a dash of red or gold.

Made me so sad. What has happened to holiday cheer and merry making?

✅ G.M. People should use more colour in their daily lives, so they’d live happier.

✅ T.C. Exactly!

✅ G.M. So, what has been the experience of working with one of the most important photographers in the world such as Ari Seth Cohen?

✅ T.C. Beyond fabulous! Do you have a few hours? I was thrilled he rang me! Thrilled he took an interest in me and my pet piggy Bansky Boy, getting me ready for the photoshoot was a production. We found the right headgear on one of my statues in the house. He knew he wanted the look to be over the top. Ari knows what he wants and he does not give up until he gets it! I was thrilled with the end result.

✅ G.M. A great experience!

Already to say goodbye, again I want to thank you for dedicating this time, I had an amazing time! It was an interesting interview. Thanks so much! I will wait for someday in Colombia!

✅ T.C. Thanks so much, I’d like to dismiss them with a message: “Dress for yourself, no one else. If you love it, wear it! There’s no reason to save it. Every day’s an occasion and besides you will put a smile on people’s faces. People enjoy seeing a vision or a walking piece of art. Make life count and enjoy each step”.

✅ G.M. What a beautiful message! Thanks, you ma’am!

To learn more about this beautiful woman, visit her website 💻 at: https://thevintagecontessa.net or follow her on Instagram 📸: @contessa_and_her_pig