Style Heroine: Linda V Wright
Photos: 45R
Inspired by the ageing colour of an indigo blue kimono, cult Japanese label 45R started weaving denim in 1991. At the end of last year the slow fashion brand opened its first London store, enlisting Style Heroine and 45R denim-wearer Linda V Wright to model the latest collection. Apologies for my tardiness, this is hardly breaking news, I’ve been meaning to write about it for months. Anyhow. Quite rightly the Japanese brand believes that ‘denim is loved by various generations all over the world’ and so teaming up with Linda V Wright feels like the perfect partnership. Born in Texas in 1948, Linda V Wright now lives in Paris and runs the Crimson Cashmere boutique. Her elegant tomboy style relies on timeless classics with a colourful twist. ’45R is my favorite, all time brand,’ she has said,’ Their quality is unmatched, and this is why I invest in their t-shirts and jeans. These are my absolute staples. I discovered them first in NYC’s SoHo district in their Mercer Street shop almost 20-years ago. Luckily for me, I have three boutiques to choose from in Paris!’
And, luckily for Londoners there’s a boutique on Brook Street (in the West End). The clothes are absolutely beautiful, the staff warm and friendly, but sadly 45R’s artisan-crafted Japanese denim jeans start at £230, which is beyond my pay grade right now.
Discussion (39 Comments)
Toomanyshoes says:
I just love love love Linda! My Pinterest “looks” boards are full of her. She’s one of a handful of, er just one, style icons I follow on Instagram – not just because of her look, but because she’s so gracious to commenters and totally not up herself ( hope that translates over the pond). “Up yourselfness “ being he main reason I give up following most others. So glad to see her adorning this page over my morning cuppa. Cheers Alyson,
Jodi Brown says:
All this for me as well toomanyshoes. Her Instagram feed is a delight, and she is so gracious. I love the way she has a picture taken outside her shop with customers and tells us a little about them.
In these days of sustainability worries, it’s great to see brands like this. As a fan of Boro and sashiko, I love these products, although they are beyond my purse.
Also, kudos to 45R for casting an older, naturally beautiful and un-made up woman to represent them. She is a real icon, and although she wears Dior etc, her style is completely translatable for those of us without loads of cash. Men’s jeans, sweaters, scarves and loafers ( large Labrador optional).Gretchen says:
Could not agree more! She’s my fashion icon and I admit to using her pics as inspirarion to shop my closet for new outfits as I cannot afford her items. So, I improvise and have loved thinking of my favorites in new ways.
maudie says:
Linda V Wright has amazing, not-shouty style and a certain grace that is so appealing. Jeans waay to expensive for most mere mortals. On that subject, despite being slim yourself Alyson – desperate for advice on finding the holy grail of jeans for a generous size 12 but with a hefty middle-aged tum. Have given ALL my jeans to the charity shop and now can’t find any that flatter. Need Help Fast!
Anna says:
Since I lost my waistline and gained everywhere but especiallynround the tummy, I’ve found Marks and Soencer Relaxed Slim jeans are great. Good luck, Maudie!
I use to follow her on Instagram!I got my first pair of STUBBS & WOTTEN shoes because of her!They have GARDEN URNS ON THEM!!!!IN MOSS GREEN!
A LOVELY WOMAN and if I ever get back to PARIS…………(OH SIGH)I will track her down!
More women need to dress like HER!
XXBJ Wydryk says:
I have to agree about the jeans but I love Linda and enjoy following her on Instagram. I love the way she puts things together. I also have a personal boycott at the moment with all things Japanese as they are resuming commercial whaling.
Bayne Kathleen says:
I don’t love the jeans either, but follow Linda religiously. Her comments are always so friendly and informative. She makes you feel like a close friend.
Judy Dempsey says:
Linda always catches my eye on pinterest and bloglovin. She has classic yet effortless looking style. She has no competitor! Would love to blink my eyes every morning and have her style.
Monica Converse says:
I love those jeans! I had a pair like that once – why, oh why, did I throw them out? I think I shall never throw anything out ever again! And I so LOVE the indigo blue…I really should stop buying black! LOVE!
Joyce Morris says:
Have finally discovered blue Monica, after what seems now like decades in black and I love it.
Kathryn McKenzie says:
Are those sweaters of hers this brand? I can’t seem to find on 45r site? They are gorgeous ! Can you please provide style name or link direct? Thank you.
Elizabeth Velasquez says:
I’ve bought a couple of her cashmere sweaters and cardigans online . Styles and colors limited, so I can’t wait to visit her shop in Paris in May. Crimson Cashmere is the name of her shop.
Linda is fabulous! I love her taste and style so much. Also, she’s very friendly, down to earth, and sweet on Instagram. If you follow her and comment or ask a question she gets right back with just the nicest and thought out responses…… and she has gobs of followers and people leaving comments. I’ve put together many outfits from my own wardrobe based on shots from her insta page. These are lovely pictures you’ve posted today!
Thanks!
DulcyMaisie says:
I had never heard of Linda V Wright, but what an elegant lady, such beautiful outfits ! The sort of person I would turn to admire if I saw her in the street. 45R is also new to me , but sadly the clothes are way out of my budget, and they don’t seem to ship everywhere, probably just as well !
Catbird Farm says:
Linda is the most extraordinary style icon out there, IMO. I have been following her on IG for a few years now and while my taste was already very La Garçonne/Gentlewoman/Tomboy and natural (no hair color or makeup), seeing Linda do it just that much better gave me courage and confidence. Now I only wear what makes me feel like me and never what I think is expected of me. The thing I love the most about her is how very real she seems – she’s not posing or posturing or covering up grey or wrinkles or falling for the latest trend of any kind. She’s just being herself. And that’s true beauty.
MaureenC says:
She looks very stylish and the jackets are great but l think the jeans are pretty hideous. More than that I think they have slightly distasteful overtones redolent of rich people imitating the kind of style put together by poor people who have to keep altering their jeans as their kids grow or bits wear out.
Bad case of Emperor’s New Jeans….Parah Coffey says:
I was just in Paris yesterday and had the opportunity to meet her. What a beautiful and gracious lady!
Wanda says:
Alyson, thank you for the post!
I love Linda, have been a fan for awhile, you and her are my true style icons! Great inspiration, the way she puts herself together is fluid, never boring, and still elegant.MK Smith says:
Linda is beautiful in so many ways. While I have joined the natural grey hair trend and am loving it, don’t think I’ll ever follow her and others (Alyson?) into a naked face. Just seems like a little eye liner and soft lip color add so much definition and warmth. But perhaps I have just been culturally conditioned into this view. .
Jane says:
I can’t afford the jeans but Linda is such an inspiration. I love her attitude and she is so gracious.
True Heroine. It’s funny but some women drop denim as they age, not me. I’m liking it more and more. And inspired by the book “Mending Matters,” by Kristina Rodabaugh, I’ve started to do some Japanese boro mending. I’m kind of in heaven, it’s one of the most relaxing things I’ve ever done. Cheers, A.
Gail says:
I adore her old jeans converted to the most stylish just below the knee length skirts . Wish I could sew!
I also found Linda on Instagram (likely through you) and was absolutely determined to visit her shop in Paris. First trip to Paris last year found the BF and I accompanied by three millenials and well, you know how that goes – much of it revolves around their desires. Plus the BF isn’t much into waiting for me while I shop. Surprise! I found myself back in Paris with my daughter later in the year and since Momma was paying for this little excursion, I was once again just absolutely determined to shop with Linda. We wound up taking an Uber to the furthest (by accident) L’Entrecote in Paris for dinner (if you are there, trust me and just go for the earliest seating) from our Air B&B and guess what? There was Linda’s lovely shop, almost across the street. Closed it was but the next day, back into an Uber we threw ourselves – Linda greeted us warmly, encouraging my darling daughter to shop as well but hey, I was there for myself! After much discussion and help from one of her lovely employees (Linda was leaving for lunch with a friend), I choose a gorgeous heather gray poncho, cashmere of course. Her shop is so pretty, with so much to choose from, but I knew what I was there for. I had just purchased a pretty green scarf elsewhere the day before and lo and behold – Linda’s employee (Melanie?) tied it just so on top of my new poncho and off we went, back into the streets of Paris, with me feeling absolutely on top of the world and veryyyyy fashion current. I only wish I had purchased more but my suitcase weighed 66 pounds when we left and my darling daughter fell down our very tight, winding stairs, carrying it when we left. Ouch! Faire Du Shopping, as I like to say in my French immersion classes (likely not grammatically correct but oh so many rules, who cares?). PS – Linda just today has a tutorial on her Instagram stories, showing how she ties her ponchos around her neck as big, cozy scarves! How fun is that?
Amy Patrick 
Heathet Cupit 
Helen 
Isobel 
Marianne 
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To be frank, I’m not that keen on the jeans, but Linda Wright is lovely. And those shots of her are stunning. Now I’m off to dig out that denim shirt I thought I was going to give away:)