Publicist Larina Chen

For our series Closet Confidential, we interview interesting and uber cool people in their homes wearing outfits from their closet. Esther Lee Leach caught up with Larina Chen at her home in Washington Park.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ESTHER LEE LEACH

Esther Lee Leach: Larina, what state are you from and how did you land in Denver?

Larina Chen: I’m a Houstonian by birth and have lived all over in the following order; Houston, Cincinnati, Houston (again), Taipei, New York, Houston (yep), Los Angeles, Houston (seriously), and finally Denver. I met my husband through a mutual friend on a girls’ trip to Denver. We dated long distance for a year and eventually I was getting on flights with just my purse. I thought ok we need pick a home base – where to next? Back to California? Stay in Texas? Of course, I lost that battle so here we are. I’ve been in my newfound city for 1.5 years and making the best of what Denver has to offer. I’m often spotted in Cherry Creek with a double tall skinny vanilla latte or a glass of Pinot Noir.

ELL: You work in PR. Tell us more about your role and what you do.

LC: My job is to get the word out about my clients to as many media outlets possible through storytelling. Publicists must be social creatures so on a day-to-day basis, I’m talking to various people over text, email, on the phone or in-person during a coffee date, lunch meeting, or happy hour drinks.

ELL: Describe your style.

LC: Relaxed silhouettes mixed with basics and a sprinkle of femininity.

ELL: Do you have a go-to fashion formula or uniform when you need to pull an outfit together quickly?

LC: Yes, my go-to uniform is always torn skinny jeans, heels, a white tee-shirt paired with a blazer.



ELL: Where do you find your style inspiration?

LC: Mainly from travels and fashion magazines

ELL: Is there anyone you look to for style ideas? Celebrity? Friend?

LC: My style crush is Kelly Wearstler.

ELL: Who are your favorite designers or stores?

LC: Ugh too many to name, but here are a few of my favorites designers/brands; Cushnie, Nili Lotan, Anine Bing, Kelly Wearstler, Victoria Beckham, Tom Ford, Alexandre Birman, Helmut Lang, Moncler, Zimmerman, Jonathan Simkhai and Alexander Wang. Favorite stores; Barneys New York, Intermix, Forty Five Ten, Fred Segal, and Saks Fifth Avenue. For online: 24 Sevres and Shopbop.

ELL: What are your five favorite pieces from your closet?

LC: Tom Ford zipper black pants, a white gown by Alexander Wang I almost wore as my wedding dress, my Helmut Lang leather miniskirt, Isabel Marant wedge high top sneakers and beige patent leather Fendi Mary Jane pumps.

ELL: Do you have any items in your closet that you regret buying?

LC: Yes, sample sale items that I purchased just because they were marked down and any shoes by Christian Louboutin. 

Larina Chen @thelcdiaries

In this week’s 24 Questions, Larina Chen gets personal.