Profile: Sophie Buhai

Sophie and I grew up together – in elementary school she was a year ahead of me, and we continued on to middle school together after that. We reconnected years later in New York during Fashion Week, shortly after we had both first entered into the business.

Sophie and her partner Lisa Mayock started their collection, Vena Cava, around the same time that I started my line. In it, they have found incredible success, and recently launched Viva Vena, a more affordable, but no less amazing, version of their collection.

After living in New York for years, Sophie recently moved back to the West Coast and lives in a sun-filled modern bungalow in Silver Lake. Her home is filled with great mid-century furniture inherited from her family or picked up over the years, and most pieces have a story behind them, making them all the more special. Everywhere you look, there is great detail and a signature touch that feels authentically Sophie. It was such a treat to visit her gorgeous home – I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. XXJKE

Beauty

R+T: What are your go-to beauty products? Why?

About a year ago, I stopped washing my face with soap and now just use hot water and oils. It’s totally changed my complexion and is very low maintenance (which is the only way I can do things). I use LA tap water on my face, along with some Rose Oil from the heath food store. For scent, I’m obsessed with Aesop Deodorant – it comes in a spray bottle and smells like a hippy spa in Germany. For my hair, I use Weleda Rosemary Hair Oil. For lips, I love Hourglass Lipstick.

R+T: What are the 5 products you couldn’t live without?

Dr Hauschka Rose Oil, Weleda Rosemary Hair Oil, an Eyelash Curler, RMS “Un” Cover-Up Under Eye Concealer, and Aesop Deodorant.

R+T: Bath or Shower?

Bath with minimal hair washing. I’m a big fan of dirty hair/clean face.

R+T: What do you sleep in?

An oversized men’s shirt.

Health

R+T: Do you have any health tricks?

Fresh food…alcohol and unhealthy things in moderation, and most importantly, laughing and having fun.

R+T: What do you do to stay healthy and balanced?

I love to take long urban hikes through the hills of Silver Lake. It really helps to clear my head – and the Lautners, Shindlers, and cactus never get old.

R+T: Do you workout, what do you swear by?

Pilates – lengthen, stretch, tone. It’s my favorite exercise. I love the aesthetic of it as well…the reformers look like old S&M devices from the 30’s. The fashion is also so elegant – very DKNY from the 90’s…wrap sweaters, unitards, and high buns!

R+T: What do you do to relax?

Sit in my garden and sip white wine with my boyfriend.

Decor

R+T: What is your design philosophy for your home?

Less is more.

R+T: What are your favorite pieces in your house?

My parents’ wedding furniture that sits in my living room. It’s 70’s Italian…I love how it feels very California, but at the same time very modern.

R+T: What are your favorite home stores?

I prefer going to stores that are not already home stores…it’s all about the discovery for me, so when something is already curated, it feels too easy. I love the estate sales in Palm Springs – the old people there have amazing taste. I also love eBay for international treasures.

R+T: What are your favorite pieces in your house? Accessories, art, furniture?

I love the Donald Judd replica dining table that my friend Adam built for me. We like to call it The Donald McJudd. My other favorites are the Egyptian ceramic urns, and the triangle mirror.

R+T: What is your favorite room in the house?

The living room.

Entertaining

R+T: Do you entertain at home?

Yes – I love to entertain. Since the house is all glass French doors, I love to throw the doors open and have the space feel very indoor/outdoor. We get the fire pit going, the hammock swinging, and the party is alive.

R+T: What are your tricks for entertaining?

Make it casual and easy…think YSL Morocco! That’s always an inspiration.

R+T: How do you set the scene when you have people over?

I love to make pitchers of margaritas, and set up a self-service bar. I do everything buffet style. I like to let people sit in circles outside or in the living room while they eat. I’m a fan of the whole California “sitting on pillows” thing while you have dinner. I recently moved to California from New York, and am so into the ease of everything here.

R+T: What is your favorite song/playlist when you have people over?

My record collection. Self serve.

Fashion

R+T: How would you describe your style?

I like classic basics that have interest in a detail or shape. It’s taken me about 30 years to get that. I like when things look effortless, because I have little interest in additional stress in life! Comfort, to me, always looks the coolest. Being chic and comfortable, sophisticated and understated is my fashion aim.

R+T: Who are your favorite designers?

I like 70’s Issey Miyake, Robert Clergerie shoes, 90’s Geoffrey Beene, and random vintage pieces from here and there.

R+T: What are the pieces you can’t live without this season?

Martiniano flats, high-waisted deadstock Levis, a straw basket, and a perfect white silk shirt from the 90’s that I got second hand.

R+T: What is your uniform?

High wasted jeans, Robert Clergerie loafers, leotards or men’s shirts.

R+T: What is your newest purchase?

A Yohji Yamamoto shirtdress with an open back. My first Yohji!! Feels so grown up and understated. I could wear it until I’m 60 (which is my new fashion inspiration).

Art

R+T: Who are your favorite artists?

Eva Hesse, Sheila Hicks, Agnes Martin, Sophie Calle.

R+T: What is your favorite piece of art you own?

An abstract painting that my Grandfather made. His color sense is amazing because he’s totally colorblind.

Vena Cava

R + T: How did you and Lisa meet?

We were set up on a blind “friend date” just before we both started Parsons. Our mutual friend Tini Bloom introduced us.

R + T: How is it working with a friend?

It’s amazing to be able to share this crazy experience with someone, and to go through all of the ups and downs together. Having that support through the good and the bad is amazing.

R + T: How long have you been designing Vena Cava?

It will be ten years in September!!!!

R+ T: Tell us about your new line, Viva Vena?

Viva is our more accessible line – it’s more casual and a bit less serious. The pieces are for more people. We were thrilled to be able to make something that more women could afford. It’s also great to continue to challenge yourself in this business, and to take on multiple brand extensions.

R + T: What inspires you?

Inspiration can come from anything, really. It can be a tile in a kitchen, a road trip landscape, the way an old woman dresses. I continue to be most inspired by the women in my life – my great aunts, my mother, my close girlfriends – women who have timeless personal style that is less about trends and more about an appreciation for detail, comfort and what works for them.

This was not my inspiration ten years ago, but as I am now in my 30’s, my needs with clothing and style have changed. Lately, I’ve become very inspired by women who don’t dress for trends but rather for themselves and a functional lifestyle. Having a personal uniform that can last throughout your life, and creating pieces that have the ability to live on forever is the dream.