Born Princess Annie-Laurie von Auersperg, Ala Isham first visited the couture houses of Paris as a child alongside her mother, Sunny Crawford von Bülow, and grandmother, Annie Laurie Aitken. It wasn’t until 2009, when Isham began taking painting lessons, that she discovered her own interest in fashion. The designs for her eponymous collection, Ala von Auersperg, begin with an original drawing or painting, often inspired by the tropical landscapes of Antigua, where she spends much of her time. In addition to her design work, Isham is active in philanthropy, having co-founded the National Center for Victims of Crime and the Brain Trauma Foundation in honor of her mother. Here, she shares her key components to the good life. —Ashley Baker
Airline: Emirates.
Airport: London Heathrow. I love the new Terminal 5.
Bag: Anything hands-free. If I have to carry one, an Hermès clutch.
Band: The Rolling Stones.
Bedtime: Usually one a.m. If I’m lucky, before.
Birthday: Mine!
Breakfast, weekend: I try to intermittent-fast during the week, so on the weekends I’ll splurge and have eggs and toast.
Car: Lamborghini.
Cocktail: Anything with tequila.
Cocktail appetizer: Pigs in a blanket.
Couple: Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga in A Star Is Born.
Date: Trying new restaurants with my husband.
Disguise:
Jackie O–esque oversize sunglasses.
Dress: Our Ala von Auersperg Kathe dress.
Drive: The Merritt Parkway.
Enemy: Who needs enemies?
Escape: Antigua.
Excuse: “I’m sorry I’m late.” Which I think is really rude!
Family: Mine.
Hideaway: My cozy apartment in Palm Beach.
HOTEL: The Bristol in Paris or Château Saint-Martin & Spa, in Vence.
Nonfiction book: Leonardo da Vinci, by Walter Isaacson.
Pair of shoes: Anything by Marion Parke.
Pet: A Labrador.
Piece of advice: “Don’t take yourself too seriously.”
RestaurantS: Kappo Masa, Le Bilboquet, and Swifty’s in Palm Beach.
Saying: “The good, the bad, and the ugly.”
Singer: Caroline Jones. She’s fabulous, and she just opened for the Rolling Stones.
Spouse: My own!
Television series: The Crown, Outlander, or Yellowstone.
Theme song to your life: “I Will Survive,” by Gloria Gaynor.
Time of day: Sunset.
Toast: Overrated.
Vacation: I’m dying to go to India and Jerusalem.
View: My own, in Antigua.
Wake-up time: Eight a.m.
Weekend bag: Tumi.
Work of art: I studied art history. How can I choose just one?
Writing implements: Parker pens and Blackwing pencils.
Ala’s Essentials
