Cecily is wearing a Dior feathered skirt and a white tank in Tokyo. Photos courtesy Cecily Waud
It is said that legendary fashion icon Babe Paley never had an unchic day in her life. Truman Capote remarked, “Mrs. P. had only one fault: she was perfect; otherwise she was perfect.”
Not many women can meet such high sartorial standards, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t modern versions who come close. My definition of great personal style is someone who masters the concept of appropriateness and is flawlessly dressed regardless of the occasion.
Melissa Waud and Cecily Waud wearing Chanel in Paris
One woman who epitomizes a unique and inspiring personal style for me is Cecily Waud.
Living in NY and being involved in fashion for decades, I routinely cross paths with many well-dressed people, so I note when someone grabs my attention. I met interior designer Cecily Waud at Linda Fargo’s recent birthday blowout at Caviar Kaspia.
Cecily attends Linda Fargo’s birthday party. – photo by Joshua Kamei
There were many fashionable guests at the party, and most of them heeded the dress code: Black Caviar & A Kiss of Red, but Cecily immediately stood out with her red paillette Valentino skirt, Dior blazer covered with black caviar beads, red Schiaparelli bag, and vintage Anne Klein shoes.
“Cecily is ‘One to Watch’! Cecily never selects the predictable; her mix mastery is exciting and unexpected. She has such a fresh yet seasoned take!” – Linda Fargo
Sitting on the stoop of her West Village townhouse wearing Chanel and Manolo Blahnik
The look was carefully measured but not contrived. Waud looked smashing and comfortable and exuded ease and confidence. I was instantly impressed. On further examination, I observed a highly consistent, well-thought-out approach to dressing that demanded more consideration.
Melissa Waud and Cecily Waud wearing Dior at the Dior show in Paris.
Unsurprisingly, Linda Fargo is another fan who is always surprised and delighted by this young lady who brings so much unspoiled enthusiasm and a keen eye to the front row. Linda says she is always informed and inspired by what Cecily gravitates to.
Cecily is a Middlebury College graduate who earned her M.F.A. in Interior Design from the New York School of Interior Design. The Chicago-born New Yorker sits on the advisory board of SAB, is a member of the Sloan Kettering, and the Guggenheim Young Collectors groups.
Cecily in Valentino with Lance Scott at the launch of LC Studio Photo by Nathan Scrader.
She co-founded LC Studio, a bespoke Interior Decoration firm with offices in New York and Palm Beach, with Lance Scott. They launched at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House in 2022, Dallas, Texas.
“Cecily Waud is an avid collector of top designers and contemporary art, which has developed her talent for seamlessly blending the worlds of fashion and design.” – Elisee Brochuk, Vogue Magazine
As the youngest designer tapped to participate in that year’s showhouse, Waud demonstrated her “impeccable eye for sophisticated yet stylish pieces,” observed Vogue Magazine writer Elisee Brochuk.
Wearing Chanel at the Chanel Couture Show in Paris in January 2025.
With her aristocratic good looks, blunt-cut platinum hair, and thoroughly contemporary vibe, Cecily is a cross between CZ Guest and Edie Sedgwick. Cecily looks terrific in everything she wears, at a willowy 5’8” with legs that seemingly go on for miles.
Cecily is fly fishing in Scotland.
Cecily is athletic and sporty. She skis, rides horses, goes bike riding, goes camping, plays tennis, swims, and loves to fly fish in Scotland. Despite her sport, Waud always looks hip, cool, elegant, and fresh.
Cecily and Melissa Waud wearing Dior at the Pre-Fall 2025 Dior show in Kyoto, Japan.
Among Cecily’s style inspirations are Hamish Bowles (she loves the color purple), Coco Kopelman, and Cece Cord. Melissa Waud, Cecily’s beautiful and elegant mother, is an ongoing inspiration, along with her 95-year-old grandmother, who still pads around in her Belgian Loafers. Proof that style, like many other traits, is often inherited; the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Melissa and Cecily wear Dior at the Pre-Fall 2025 Dior Show in Kyoto, Japan.
As a dedicated follower of fashion, Cecily routinely travels around the world to attend high-profile ready-to-wear and couture shows. Melissa Waud is a frequent travel companion. Last month, they attended the Christian Dior Pre-Fall 2025 held at the historic gardens of the Tō-ji temple in Kyoto, Japan.
Cecily wears Chanel at the Chanel 2026 Resort Show in Lake Como, Italy, April 29th, 2025.
Most recently, Cecily traveled to Lake Como, Italy, to attend the Chanel 2026 Resort show held at the magnificent Hotel Villa d’Este. Waud is not explicitly linked to only one designer; several, including Valentino, Christian Dior, and Chanel, have creations well-represented in Cecily’s enviable closets.
Riding horseback wearing a chic poncho and silver Cucinelli boots,
Cecily is a self-described “loafer gal” with a penchant for Prada loafers, especially in patent leather, because “you never know when you are going to jump in a puddle.” She also has a penchant for Brunello Cucinelli’s silver jodphur boots.
Cecily is renovating a townhouse in the West Village. As she is an interior designer, this project is personal. Cecily describes herself as a “huge maximalist” who loves to layer color and texture and add animal taxidermy.
She promises that when finished, her home will look like a cozy English cottage with Fortuny textiles, Robert Kime fabrics, and De Gournay wallpaper. And, of course, the closets will be a focal point.
