The Enforced Chill Pill

Remember Imitation of Christ? Headed up by Tara Subkoff - Chloe Sevigny at one point became creative director - Scarlett Johansson walked the runway in Imitation of Christ denim - etc ..? Vaguely, no? A little like a one-hit wonder, the name trips a switch in your brain. That's about it.


Tara Subkoff was at the helm of the brand, however in American Harpers she explains that "there was a massive amount of confusion about its original incarnation. The name got so big, and it appeared to be such a giant success, but like most things that are artistic and creative and amazing, it was never this financial powerhouse. It was an art project. It was rewarding to spearhead ... but I had to work about four or five other jobs — a shoe collaboration with Easy Spirit and consulting for Sara Lee Apparel (which owned Wonderbra, Hanes, and Playtex) — just to keep the company afloat."

Bet Chloe didn't know that!

Imitation of Christ was sold to Josh Sparks, former Sass & Bide CEO a few years ago. Last year, Subkoff was told she needed surgery on a benign brain tumour. She had no health insurance. So her fashiony/arty friends rallied around her to raise some cash which didn't result in the bucketloads of $$ you would probably be hoping for... But she had the surgery in September and was nursed back to health by her brother. Now she's planning to bring back Imitation of Christ in its "most basic incarnation": "I want something as effortless as a T-shirt, but in dress, trench, and jacket shapes".

These days she lives in an LA bungalow with a big garden and her two puppies ("they've helped me heal and forced me to get outside every day and see the sunshine") and says the process of rehabilitation has forced her to slow down and stop living at such a crazy pace: "I have projects coming up, and I now have the energy and desire to get back to work, but it won't ever be like that again. I feel lucky and excited as each new thing unfolds... Life is so fast, it feels important to stop and freeze and appreciate the now. Even if the now is being stuck in hideous traffic with a flat tire, I bet if you look there's a doughnut shop across the street. So just before I lose control, I take a breath and try to remember that there's always something sweet just around the corner."



I wonder if Gwyneth is listening?

The point of this article was actually just to say - gorgeous kitchen! And I want her puppies! Adorable!