Real estate agents rarely appear in the fashion pages of glossy magazines, but Lana Turner has never been much interested in doing what’s expected of her. The Harlem local (and, many would say, legend) first caught the gaze of the fashion media thanks to her impeccable style—simultaneously classic and unusual—which has now been admired and photographed by several generations of New Yorkers. She once sold a hard-to-shift townhouse by mounting a display of her outfits inside it. Turner is embedded in the history of Harlem—not just in its buildings, but also in its culture. I met her while working on programming with the literary society she’s helmed for 38 years. She’s currently organizing a season based around the life of Alain Locke, the philosopher, educator and “father” of the Harlem Renaissance. It’s not so much that Turner is “more than” her style (500 boxed hats included), it’s that she sees her wardrobe as integral to her This story is from Kinfolk Issue Thirty-Five Buy Now Related Stories Fashion Issue 51 The Getaway A lazy weekend at the Farnsworth House. Fashion Issue 51 I’m With Stupid A short history of slogan T-shirts. Fashion Issue 51 Power Tool Malthe Risager Jørgensen, founder of Artikel København, on the tool he couldn’t work without. Fashion Issue 50 Communion Fellow-feeling through fashion. Fashion Issue 50 Capsule Wardrobes “At its most noble, it should make every purchase a special occasion.” Fashion Issue 50 What Are You Working On? David Koma’s current workload.
Fashion Issue 51 Power Tool Malthe Risager Jørgensen, founder of Artikel København, on the tool he couldn’t work without.
Fashion Issue 50 Capsule Wardrobes “At its most noble, it should make every purchase a special occasion.”
