My Luxuries: Magda Butrym
LVMH prize-nominated designer Magda Butrym, whose namesake brand can be seen on the likes of Alicia Vikander, Alexa Chung and Kendall Jenner, shares what luxury means to her...
What does luxury mean to you?
Privacy, silence and free time are great modern-day luxuries. To me luxury is very much a feeling, and I think that being able to transmit that sensation in whatever form is a true art, whether we’re talking about a fabric, shoe, table setting, or a dish. It is about quality, attention to detail, but also a thought behind it, an intention.
Who is your favourite designer to wear yourself and why?
I definitely wear a lot of my own brand; I like the jackets from my recent collection for every day wear.
As for other designers – there are so many I admire, but the one I love to wear the most is probably original Yves Saint Laurent. They’re not only impeccably made pieces of clothing, but they have a mood, an ambiance.
Yves Saint Laurent vintage structured mini-check jacket, ￡318, Farfetch
The idea of Rive Gauche is especially important to me, as it was the first ready-to-wear luxury line. A sophisticated wardrobe for everyday use was a huge inspiration for my own designs and definitely a credo for my own brand.
Which shoe designer do you swear by?
Manolo Blahnik’s are classics, and Magda Butrym! We’re just launching our first full shoe collection this season, and I do swear by it.
It’s all handmade in Italy, it took us a while to get it the design right, but it was absolutely worth it. The collection is all about classic shapes and amazing fit, as well as oversized detachable bows and brooches which you can “dress up” the shoe with when going out after work.
Leather and cream satin pump, with removable bow, ￡700, Magda Butrym
What are your little luxuries to love?
Vintage Manolo Blahniks that are not carried anymore.
Do you have a favourite watch?
I love classics, and wear a small vintage Cartier.
Do you collect anything in particular? If not, what would you most like to amass a collection of?
I’m not a huge collector per se, but I do buy clothes and shoes. I don’t really wear everything; most of the time, I buy something because I’m curious about the fabric or a fit, or it has an element that I want to remember. So I definitely collect ideas.
Dream car (and why)?
Vintage Aston Martin DB6 convertible - the shape!
Which restaurant or chef would you choose to make your ultimate luxury dinner?
Most importantly you have to be with the people you love; the right space and dish comes after. I think a long summer dinner in the Italian countryside could be wonderful.
I’ve been planning a visit to Il Pellicano in Tuscany for ages now. I love Italian food and I trust any Italian chef out there, so I will probably go with a dish recommendation.
What single thing would make your existence more luxurious?
If I could take all the time I needed to do a collection.
Dream holiday?
Il Pellicano. Or more locally, the Polish countryside, in the Lake District of Masuria. The area hasn’t changed much and still has the magic.
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Are there any other modes of transport that you admire?
Yachts - such an amazing sense of freedom.
Dream house?
Filled with people I love, family and friends, coming in and out, handmade pie and flowers on the table.
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