My Life In 3 Looks: Laila Gohar
At home with the impossibly chic Laila Gohar, chef and founder of Sunday Supper in New York City.
For Laila Gohar, food is art. The stunning, Egyptian-born chef grew up in a family passionate about cooking and entertaining. After throwing many fabulous dinner parties, Gohar's friends encouraged her to turn it into a business. Her catering company Sunday Supper creates multi-sensory edible experiences (food installations and pop-ups) for clients like LVMH and the CFDA. We caught up with Gohar at her fairytale carriage house apartment in Soho, where she showed us how food and fashion fit into her busy life.
LOOK ONE: RUNNING TO THE MARKET
"I love throwing on a trench and leaving the house. There's a certain ease and classiness to it."
How would you describe your style in 3 words?
I feel like style is a constant evolution, but if I had to describe mine now it would be structured, simple, and with some color.
Burberry London 'Kensington' Long Trench Coat, nordstrom.com; Marques' Almeida Spaghetti Strap Denim Top, nordstrom.com; See by Chloe 'Anita' Mule Sandal, nordstrom.com; scarf and vintage jeans, Gohar's own
LOOK ONE: RUNNING TO THE MARKET
What is your favorite way to accessorize?
I like classic shoes. A good mule is my go-to because it's chic and easy. A few years ago, I cut my hair really short, and there was the awkward grow-out phase, so I began wearing bandanas and things in my hair to distract. But it became this thing people attached to me like, the girl that wears the headscarf. So I stopped doing that, then started wearing sculptural earrings. I'm sort of over that now, too, and looking for the next thing.
See by Chloe 'Anita' Mule Sandal, nordstrom.com
LOOK TWO: THE CASUAL HOSTESS
"When I cook I like to be simple and casual because now everything I own pretty much has a stain on it! I would wear this on the weekends while making something at home. It looks good but is easy to move in and comfortable."
Opening Ceremony Embroidered Pique Cotton Polo, nordstrom.com; Simon Miller TOMA Pants, simonmillerusa.com; scarf, Gohar's own
LOOK TWO: THE CASUAL HOSTESS
What are your favorite places to shop in New York?
Melet Mercantile, Maryam Nassir Zadeh, Sincerely Tommy
What are your favorite labels?
Eckhaus Latta, Sies Marjan, old Martin Margiela, The Row
Opening Ceremony Embroidered Pique Cotton Polo, nordstrom.com; Simon Miller TOMA Pants, simonmillerusa.com; scarf, Gohar's own
FRESH DIRECT
What is your attitude towards color when it comes to both cooking and getting dressed?
Dressing in a limited palette of black and white seems a little sad to me. Same goes for what you eat—color is healthy. When I was growing up in Egypt, I had to eat five colors a day. I love a deep mustard, the color of rust, brick red, really pigmented blue, kelly green....Right now, I'm looking forward to using asparagus, ramps, fava beans, and all sorts of lettuce in season.
LOOK THREE: DINNERTIME DRAMA
"I'm a food designer—I create interactive food installations and performances at different spaces. For example, I make dinner at an art gallery in conjunction with an opening, or at a museum for a gala. For the actual 'performance,' I lean towards oversize, structured clothing—like this look."
Tibi Satin Poplin Cold Shoulder Top, nordstrom.com; Miu Miu skirt, for more information visit miumiu.com
LOOK THREE: DINNERTIME DRAMA
Who is the most stylish woman you know?
My grandma is in her seventies and has been a fashion designer in Cairo for the last 50 years. She was a young working mother when most people in Egypt couldn't get away with that. My grandfather was in the army and got arrested and thrown in jail at one point for organizing a coup to overthrow the then-president. My grandma raised her two kids and was an entrepreneur with a full-time job. She also employed mostly women at her clothing factory.
Tibi Satin Poplin Cold Shoulder Top, nordstrom.com
BONUS LOOK: ALL-DAY, EVERYDAY
"I love a good denim jacket and the ease of this dress. I could put it on in the beginning of summer and keep it on until September. I would wear it when hosting, entertaining, getting coffee, everywhere!"
Marc Jacobs Oversized Bleached Denim Jacket, for similar styles visit nordstrom.com; Maryam Nassir Zadeh Carnelia Dress, mnzstore.com; scarf, Gohar's own
LAILA HAS A LITTLE LAMB
Tell us about your adorable pet.
Ziki was abandoned by her mom at a farm in West Winfield, New York. Mary, the farmer, was looking for foster parents for some of the abandoned baby lambs. They're bottle babies that need to be fed every few hours. I agreed to take a little girl and she moved into my Manhattan apartment!
Marc Jacobs Oversized Bleached Denim Jacket, $750, for similar styles visit nordstrom.com; Maryam Nassir Zadeh Carnelia Dress, $648, for similar colors visit mnzstore.com; scarf, Gohar's own
Stylist: Shibon Kennedy; Hair: Joey George; Makeup: Christine Cherbonnier
