Behind her desk Charlotte Moss has an entire wall filled with images of inspiring women. I’ve always admired the idea and thought how lovely it would be to someday create a similar wall in my own workspace. Above, I’ve begun to brainstorm which savvy, stylish women I would like to include. From top: Moss looking fabulous in T&C this month, Coco Chanel, Fleur Cowles, Jackie Kennedy, “Debo” Duchess of Devonshire, and Elsie de Wolfe.
Who would make it on your wall?
Tod says
Grace Kelly! She is on the cover of Vanity Fair this month and there is an exhibit about her style at the V&A in London. I love her ultra femininity combined with silent strength. And lets be honest… who doesn’t love a princess?
xoxo
Tod
hamptonhostess.blogspot.com says
I’m a big fan of Grace Kelley-she is so classic! The portrait of Elsie de Wolfe is just beautiful! Have a great day! Barbara
Katie Armour says
Wow, two votes for Kelly in the first two minutes! I’m definitely with you ladies. I have to add her to my list! xoxo
Staley Mc says
This is a great idea! I definitely have to agree with the other 2 comments definitely Grace Kelly!
Stevi says
Definitely both Hepburn’s…Audrey and Katharine. Katharine was the perfect example that you can be strong and feminine. Pants can be sexy too. :) And Audrey has forever, the perfect classic style.
Elizabeth Rose says
Audrey Hepburn, Joan Fontaine, Georgia O’Keefe, Queen Reyna, Maureen O’Hara and Mia Hamm…wow so many great women. I need to get started on my muse wall!
my favorite and my best says
oddly, tina fey.
Lauren (downtown polish) says
Diane Von Furstenberg, Joni Mitchell, Lauren Hutton, Michelle Obama, Penelope Cruz, Regina Spektor, Christina Hendricks….ah there are so many, I feel like I’m forgetting someone important!
Katie Armour says
So many good suggestions! I love Lauren Hutton, oh and the Hepburns, how could I have forgotten the Hepburns?? xo
Meagan says
Audrey & Grace for sure. So unoriginal but damn it, there’s a reason why everyone chooses them!
Stephanie @ La Dolce Vita says
Love Charlotte Moss … maybe add Bunny Williams, Audrey Hepburn, hmm … give me a minute, I’ll think of more!
Meagan says
Oh Penelope – the most beautiful woman in the world…I love her. I was thinking along the classics-classic line, but yes, I’d like to add her too. And Meryl Streep and Sophia Loren!
Lindsay says
Diana Vreeland for sure! xx
Natalie says
I came across this not entirely scientific theory recently that said something like the three women you admire most (and the reasons for which you admire them) are representive of nascent qualities in yourself. Makes posting their photos in your office or workspace seem all the more important, right?!
lacqueredlife says
Babe Paley (Charlotte has her picture behind her desk!), Amanda Burden (Babe’s daughter), CZ Guest, Jackie O, Audrey, Elsie de Wolfe … and then probably some important women from history like Queens Elizabeth and Victoria of England, Eleanor Roosevelt … the list goes on and on
Kirby says
I love that. michelle kwan would be on my wall and a picture of my friends. I find my friends very inspirational. they all have so many things going for them.
Katie Armour says
Stephanie — Definitely a yes on Bunny, she’s on of my design idols!
Meagan — Sophia and Meryl, soooo very talented, good thinking!
Lindsay — Diana’s definitely on the list!!
Natalie — Now you’re stressing me out : )
Lacquered Life — Queen Victoria, every since I saw The Young Victoria I’ve been obsessed. And Babe, how could I have left out Babe!
Kirby — I love that you adore Michelle Kwan! If only I weren’t such a klutz on ice skates : )
Lauren says
Katherine Hepburn, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Marilyn Monroe, Little Edie, Diana Vreeland, my late grandmother (aka Ole’ Bird), and my mother.
Habitually Chic says
So fun! I love to read biographies of strong and inspiring women. I think it’s wonderful to give credit to those who have come before us and paved our way. I think that’s why I love Charlotte Moss so much! I will definitely be adding Diana Vreeland, Coco Chanel, Diane von Furstenberg, Charlotte Moss, Kelly Wearstler and many more to my board soon!
style chronicle says
Great post! I admire and am encouraged by women who have been strong, creative, and have had the courage to pursue their dreams. Those that come to mind are my grandmother, Charlotte Moss, CZ Guest, Syrie Maugham, Edith Wharton, Jane Austen, Coco Chanel, Tory Burch, Aerin Lauder, Diana Vreeland, Marina Rust Connor…
Katie Armour says
Lauren — Love your grandmother’s nickname, I’ll bet she’s fantastic.
Heather — I love reading biographies too! And good call on Wearstler—she’s carved quite the path for herself.
Style Chronicle — Jane Austen!!! YES!!! Oh and Marina Rust Conner, she is so beautiful and timeless in her fashion. I love her home in Maine. I bought her first book recently, a signed copy, it didn’t receive great reviews, but I was just so interested… xo
Erin says
Audrey Hepburn, Mother Theresa, Marilyn Monroe, Ann Margaret, Babe Pauley, and my grandmother.
Krysten says
What a wonderful idea! I have to second those that are saying Grace Kelly. Love that woman.
Tricia says
My husband was roommates in college with Grace Kelly’s son and he got to meet her once….I can only imagine….
amy says
I must agree with all the ladies above who recommended Audrey Hepburn, Jane Austen, Diane von Furstenberg, and Coco Chanel.
Would definitely add Barbara Stanwyck, Eleanor Roosevelt, Hedy Lamarr, and I know there are many, many more.
Brandi says
Definitely Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, and my maternal grandmother and her sister (two of the classiest women that ever have been). I’d probably even throw a picture of myself on there, well dressed to remind myself that I can even be my own muse now and then.
Karen says
Dorothy Draper would top my list, and Coco Chanel as well. The Tina Fey idea made me smile!
But also my grandmother – there is something so poetic about that generation as a whole. Their combination of sophistication and steadfastness in challenging times is inspiring! I never grow tired of hearing their stories.
Punctuation Mark says
I’d say Anouk Aimee, Catherine Deneuve, Meryl Streep, Isabel Allende, Cesaria Evora… nice post!!! stop by my blog and participate on my latest giveaway…
robyn says
Julie Christie and Diane Von Furstenberg.
hiyaluv says
I love this because it is so chic and classic! Jackie O for sure, Chanel, Audrey Hepburn, etc. I am so excited about this… i need to update my little office:) fantastic Katie…truly!
smiles,
gina
Dana Cordova says
Thanks for visiting, your blog is beautiful! check out Sloane on Thursday, I think there will be lots of things that appeal to you!
Dana Cordova says
Of yeah and, Anna Wintour, George Sand, Coco Chanel and Sloane Peterson would be on my wall. ;)
Katie Armour says
So many good ideas—my list has quadrupled!
Erin — Mother Theresa, how could we not?
Tricia — He met Grace Kelly??? Dying of envy.
Amy — Eleanor Roosevelt—love her quotations, smart, smart woman!
Brandi — Wish I could have met your grandmother and her sister, sound like quite the pair!
Robyn — How I adore Julie Christie!
Karen — Draper, check. And I’m in full agreement with the romanticism of our grandparents’ era. I’m a bit infatuated myself…
Punctuation Mark – Adding Catherine Deneuve and Isabel Allende (loved House of Spirits) to my list!
Gina — Glad you like the idea, you should create one too! xo
Dana — Wintour now that would give us big scary shoes to fill : ) So looking forward to Sloane!
mosey says
Audrey Hepburn, for certain. She’d be centered on the wall. Mary Pickford – not only for her unique looks and starring roles, but for carving a path early in the century as the co-founder of United Artists. I’d also put up a newer classic – Maggie Gyllenhaal.
Thanks for popping by to visit today!
Katie Armour says
Mosey — Love that you included Maggie! I think the is so adorable! I cut my hair short like hers when I lived in Switzerland a few years back. She’s such a stylish, smart young woman! xoxo
a lovely being says
Of course Jane Austen! And while we’re on the topic of literary heroines, how about Edna St. Vincent Millay?
rikshaw design says
hmm..mine would be kelly wearstler, simon doonan, gandhi, annie leibovitz, marilyn monroe, grace coddington…i have men, but cute little men!
cathy Whitlock says
I would add to the list – Arianna Huffington, Tina Brown, Diane Sawyer!
Great post.
michelle LeBlanc says
Marilyn M, Brigitte Bardot, Sofia Coppola, Kate Moss, Jackie O, Michelle Obama, Catherine Deneuve, Audrey & Grace…
Katie Armour says
Fallon — Love Millay’s poems!
Rikshaw — Gandhi, cute little man, you kill me : )
Cathy — Some smarties, I like it!
Michelle — Kate Moss, if only we all had such style…sigh.