BayouIcon: Vada Montogomery

Vada Cann Montgomery is Monroe’s answer to style royalty, with a personal aesthetic which harkens back to an era that evokes the Hollywood allure.

article by MARÉ BRENNAN | photography by KELLY MOORE CLARK

Even though the United States declared independence from the British monarchy almost 250 years ago, the Anglophiles among us swear their loyalty to the impeccable style presented by modern-day princesses beginning with Princess Diana and carried on by the new generation of royal fashion stars and sisters-in-law, Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle. Effortless day dressing and glamorous couture gowns are de rigueur.

Vada Cann Montgomery is Monroe’s answer to style royalty, with a personal aesthetic which harkens back to an era that evokes the Hollywood allure of the 1950s and 60s. It is no wonder Vada counts among her personal style icons these undisputed queens of style: Jackie Kennedy, Grace Kelly, Sophia Loren and, of course, Princess Diana. “I feel my style just evolved from different fashions I have tried, until I felt comfortable in the way I look,” adds Vada.

Yves Saint Laurent famously said, “Fashions fade, but style is eternal.” With a timeless and classic personal style, Vada adds her own wink and Southern elegance to her signature looks. Her sleek, brunette bob with bangs is reminiscent of Elizabeth Taylor in her eponymous role of Cleopatra, who Richard Burton on screen and in real life could not resist. Flawless skin like Vada’s is evidence of a lifetime of care. Vada’s sound beauty advice? Be sure to use a good eye cream, moisturizer and sunscreen.

Have you ever noticed that clothing, style and memories are intertwined in such an interesting way? A quick perusal of your closet and memories of a special luncheon are sparked when you touch the nubby fabric of a bouclé jacket. Or the long, black gown reminds you of dancing the night away at the Black and White Ball? As Vada is quick to point out, clothing can elevate, amplify or even change your mood. “Of course, a good daytime dress makes you feel confident, and a beautiful evening gown makes you feel glamorous,” she adds.

Fashion has always played an integral part in our style icon’s life. Some of Vada’s earliest memories are of her mother wearing a beautiful blue and white dress and her grandmother wearing a darling Lilly Pulitzer dress with its Palm Beach hues. And Vada passed down her love of fashion to her daughter, Arabella Montgomery Moore, who follows in her mother’s footsteps as a timeless beauty. When asked to describe her own sense of style, Vada says she has evolved into a classic style with a little touch of pizzazz, because, of course, what Southern lady can resist something sparkly?

Who are the designers whose clothes, shoes and accessories make Vada feel most alive? Again, the classics reign supreme when she explains her love of Valentino with its classic silhouettes and brilliant haute couture details, Tory Burch’s mix of traditional detailing with pops of color and the resort-inspired offerings from Trina Turk. And then she adds in Escada, which brings in a glimmer of glam into the mix with animal prints and luxe fabrications.

Fashion rules offer a guide, but gone are the days when shoes must match your purse. “I definitely throw caution to the wind,” laughs Vada. Her clothing item on heaviest rotation this summer happens to be a pair of Valentino sandals.

What is Vada’s suit of armor? “A smile,” she says as she flashes her movie star high wattage smile, drawing friends in like moths to a flame with her wittiness and charm. Vada’s go-to lip color is Tom Ford’s fabulous, goes-with-all-skin-tones red lipstick.

No style icon would be so bold not to have a signature scent. As Coco Chanel once said, “No elegance is possible without perfume. It is the unseen, unforgettable, ultimate accessory.” To match the seasons, Vada chooses Bond No. 9 Central Park West in summer and Jo Malone Myrrh and Tonka in winter. Central Park West perfume has notes of narcissus, ylang ylang, black pepper, gardenia, jasmine, linden, orris, muk and white oak, and is described as a “springtime wake up call.” Jo Malone’s Myrrh and Tonka is a decadent combination of lavender, omumbiri myrrh and the essence of tonka beans that conjures the warmth and opulence of the Orient.

“Can fashion be a path to happiness?” I ask. Vada looks me dead in the eye and leans in to say, “No. True happiness comes from within. And don’t follow trends just because they are in style; wear what looks good on you!” What would Vada tell budding fashionistas around the world? “To quote Lauren Hutton, ‘Fashion is what you’re offered four times a year by designers; style is what you choose.’”

Vintage fashion plays heavily in Vada’s creativity of dressing. Her most prized vintage piece is an exquisite gold pin given by her father to her mother before he left to serve overseas during World War II, an accessory that carries deep meaning and is worn with honor. If given the choice between seasons, Vada adds, “Winter is my favorite season for fashion. You can add so many more accessories.”

Vada’s impeccable sense of style carries over to her home’s interiors as well. “I love color and mixing different fabrics and textures, and I like the juxtaposition of antique and contemporary pieces.” Her home is a study of the classics with a restrained neutral palette accented with small splashes of vibrant color and opulent metallic finishes.

What’s the one item in Vada’s closet that she can’t bear to part with but never wears?  “My wedding dress,” she smiles, evoking one more of those memories interwoven into a textile that can transport you back to the event with one touch.