Style Notes: Caroline Issa

Caroline Issa is accustomed to wearing many hats: she’s a favorite of style blogs like Jak & Jil and The Sartorialist; she’s modeled for J Crew, and her day jobs include being the executive fashion director of Tank magazine, the editor in chief of Because magazine and the fashion director of Tank Form consultancy agency. Apparently that isn’t enough: Issa has now added designer to her C.V. with the debut of L.K. Bennett by Caroline Issa. The capsule collection of six shoe styles and two bags, available this week at the British brand’s shops and online at lkbennett.com, was inspired by her trips to Thailand and includes pom-pom bedecked stilettos and colorful, embroidered clutches.

Here, Issa shares her penchant for tailored suits, her love of American chocolates and her secret for keeping her toes warm between shows.

Define your style in three words: Functional. Easy. Separates.

Daily uniform: Equipment shirts, Paul Smith suits.

Greatest hits: YSL tuxedo, MiH jeans, Jimmy Choo thigh-high boots, Tom Ford fur, J Crew sweaters, Monique Pean pinkie ring.

Preferred footwear: Other than my LK Bennett by Caroline Issa collection? Jimmy Choo, Prada, Alejandro Ingelmo. [#image: /photos/5853cc0c9c190ec57ac09ddc]||||||L.K. Bennett by Caroline Issa Parrot shoe in black.

Finishing touches: Monique Pean jewelry, Prada crystal earrings, Lara Bohinc belts.

Nighttime look: YSL, Tom Ford or Barbara Casasola suits or Alessandra Rich dresses.

Best recent discovery: Uniqlo Heat Tech socks.

Favorite stores: Daunt bookshop in London, Merci in Paris, Williams Sonoma in NYC–I don’t cook, but I like to dream–The Container Store.

Style pet peeve: Bare legs in below-zero weather.

Spring must-have: Balenciaga’s first look.

Style icons: Jenna Lyons, Holli Rogers of Net-A-Porter, Garance Doré.

Last purchase: Reese’s Pieces peanut butter cups from the airport as NYC souvenirs for all my London friends.

Lusting after: Christian Lacroix original couture.

Favorite haunts: Cocomaya in London, Corso Como cafe in Milan, Derriere in Paris, any West Village cafe in NYC, Fairmont Bagels in Montreal.