Written & Photographed by A Wild Dove
Elissa Dunlop is a West-Coast transplant who’s bringing a bit of Cali warmth wherever she goes. Lately that means styling clients at Warm, Rob Magnotta and Winnie Beattie’s dreamy, resort-driven shop in Nolita that practically begs you to book a trip St. Tropez, Marrakech or even Montauk ASAP. Elissa, whose background includes styling fellow vacay-inspired boutique Calypso St. Barth, as well as designing a line of vintage print bikinis and working as a holistic nutritional health coach, began working at Warm one year ago and says she is constantly “inspired and motivated by the energy of the shop and everything it houses.” So are we! As the weather heats up, we turned to Elissa to find out how she styles her favorite Warm-weathered pieces.
A Wild Dove
OK so we are obsessed with Warm. Tell us, how did you land there?
Elissa Dunlop
Warm has been on my radar since it opened. I’m attracted to and love styling clients in the eclectic curation of designers with a nod to the 70’s beach, surf and skate cultures. Warm is all things good in one place and I knew I wanted to be a part of it.
A Wild Dove
Every time we visit, we think about where we’re going next. What are a few must-haves from Warm we can work into our wardrobes whether on vacation or in the city?
Elissa Dunlop
Light weight jackets like the Warm trailer jacket. I love a boxy shape that can be worn open or belted like a low v-neck karate jacket. AND it's reversible. Also the Mabel denim jacket from Brooklyn-based designer Ilana Kohn. It’s her take on a vintage 60’s French work jacket but animated with quarter size white buttons down the front. Use them to top looks as the weather transitions from spring to summer temps. Balance with clean lines of a body suit like this metallic burnt orange color from Fluer du Mal or shorter floaty or ruffled tops like the Warm Colada cami with the coral palm tree print.
A Wild Dove
We're totally feeling all of that. So what are some of Warm's biggest trends for this summer?
Elissa Dunlop
Warm colors found in sunsets and rainbows, exaggerated tiers, bell silhouette floral prints, stripes, and ruffles. I love these shapes!
A Wild Dove
So do we!
Lastly, what are the best pieces for those hot summer days into nights?
Elissa Dunlop
An 'Electric Feathers Ruffle' kaftan in Marigold. Our Warm 'Eden' dress in Jungle print, Jennifer Fisher’s Samira hoops and a Manon Ocean Band Ring.