Have you picked up a copy of the reimagined Lucky Magazine? A few months ago (we believe it started with the September issue), Lucky got a serious makeover in the chicest of ways, thanks to an injection of fresh ideas from its newly minted EIC, Eva Chen. Chen, who got her start at Teen Vogue and has been bouncing around the Conde Nast family ever since, is, in our opinion, one of the coolest, most down to earth ladies in the fashion industry. A beauty junkie, she gives daily product recs on her Instagram account, where she’s got over 90,000 followers. She actually responds to the people who tweet at her. She always seems happy to engage in conversations online, whether she’s doling out career advice or talking her favorite fall trends.
Stylish and Genuine
Eva Chen is about as stylish as can be, but she also has that special something that most women who work in the industry don’t: she’s accessible. Eva seems like the kind of woman you could catch up with over bottomless cups of coffee. She seems like she’d happily scour flea market shelves with you on a Saturday morning. She doesn’t seem like she’s too cool for anyone, or anything, really – she’s genuine to a fault.
Beyond that, Eva Chen really knows digital, something that Lucky, as a shopping magazine, was missing out on. The online shopping world is an enormous one. You’ve got to really know your chops in order to tame the beast. Eva has done just that, making Lucky.com a shopping destination full of trend stories, must-have lists, and easily digestible features from real (albeit insanely stylish) girls. Her accessibility is infused throughout the glossy, both online and in print, and the results are stunning.
As an incredibly stylish human being, it’s no surprise that Chen’s EIC office at Lucky (as featured in domino’s holiday issue) follows suit. After moving into her new home in Times Square, Eva enlisted the help of an old colleague: Lauren McGrath, a former coworker from her Teen Vogue days, to decorate her office. McGrath, along with her mother Suzanne, makes up a mother-daughter design team responsible for many of our favorite NYC interiors (their blog, Good Bones Great Pieces, is a must read). The duo helped Eva create a space that is functional yet beautiful. “I really believe in collaboration,” [Chen] explains. “We needed to make an inviting space where everyone felt like they had a place to settle in and really talk about style.”
Shop the Look
Classic Meets Edgy
For her new office, Chen wanted a look every bit as eclectic as the magazine’s audience. “I love mixing prints, patterns, and bright colors,” she explains, “just like the Lucky reader does.” Essentially, the space offers a refreshing mix of all things Chen: clean lines, bold accessories, and a classic but edgy combo that’s true to the Lucky sensibility. Throughout the space, vivid pillows, prints discovered at Art.com and Kenise Barnes Fine Art, and lamps stand out against neutral tones and are ready to be swapped out with passing fads. “I wanted it to feel bright, airy, and comfortable,” says Chen.
And, for an office in the middle of Times Square’s hustle and bustle, it feels surprisingly so. Sophisticated sofas hold court with modern side tables, while armless chairs add extra seating without taking up too much space. An oversized Oomph coffee table is stacked with inspiring reads; all the better for those who come into Chen’s office to indulge. Framed art is hung at varying heights, while lamps and accessories have a eclectic, blended feel.
