The Aligne founder, who has recently launched her new collection in Brown Thomas, shares her style tips and industry knowledge
Leo waistcoat, €150, Aligne, brownthomas.com
Linette lace trim shorts, €100, Aligne, brownthomas.com
Aligne founder Ginny Seymour
I recently sat down with CEO and founder of Aligne, Ginny Seymour in Brown Thomas to discuss what makes the perfect capsule wardrobe, what it’s like to run an all-female office and of course, what came first… the pared back look or Carolyn Bessette Kennedy. “I think it’s personal style and confidence that makes a piece of clothing perfect for a capsule wardrobe, that’s what we try to embed into every Aligne piece,” says Seymour, who’s wearing her brand’s Daphne blazer.
“You need to take your personal style into a capsule wardrobe and make sure the pieces are authentic to you, feel comfortable and aren’t driven by outside opinion.”
Aligne founder Ginny Seymour
Trend turnovers happen so quickly and while there’s nothing wrong with experimenting, I do find the public have gained a bit of a cult mentality when it comes to the new in style – much like the Caroline Bessette Kennedy trend in which everyone tried to mimic her fashion sense. But Kennedy’s style looked so good on her because it was authentic, a reaction to her environment. I asked Seymour what she thought about the look as her clothing emulates the same simple chic sensibility.
“It’s great, and although it’s a trend right now, it’s always been a style that I’ve been influenced by. I’m Canadian but I started my career in New York as a buyer. Our offices were right beside the Calvin Klein offices, so I grew up in that industry.” Aligne’s clothing predates the trend that was brought on by the Disney show Love Story. Seymour once told Marie Claire magazine that someone in the industry told her to watch her back but she said she’d rather embrace the people behind her. She now has a full female office and is mindful of her colleagues’ needs.
Linette lace trim shorts, €100, Aligne, brownthomas.com
“As a working mom, how do we create an environment that allows women to come back and work and find that balance? We’re navigating those kinds of next chapters as the team. I grew up in an industry that wasn’t understanding. It’s important to allow people to come back and find their new balance in life.”
Although Seymour doesn’t believe anyone can have it all, she does believe in making room for what’s important. “I think everyone should have the right to make their choices and figure out what that balance looks like for them. And it’s not my job to preach what that looks like because I have very little balance myself, but that works for me. That doesn’t mean I can expect that from others.”
Aligne is now available in Brown Thomas