What's Your Fancy?: Dylan Lauren Shares Her Sweet and Stylish Favorites
The entrepreneur, whose namesake candy empire turns 20 this year, tells T&C about the luxuries she just can't live without.
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“I like to surround myself with color and things that upgrade a basic experience into something a bit more fun,” says Dylan Lauren. “Candy is like that, too; it always tastes great, but with more colors it’s even better.”
She’d certainly know. This year, the sweets magnate’s Dylan’s Candy Bar, is turning 20 and celebrating with an assortment of new products, special releases, and sugary surprises—all created with the brand’s signature bright pops of color front and center. “My passion is for color; it feels like I’m working with art or jewelry,” Lauren says. “There’s something about not just eating it but seeing it that’s very inspiring it.”
It's a passion that Lauren has sustained for two decades, something she credits to the timeless appeal of her product. “When I was writing my brand mission statement back in 2000, I was using 2001: A Space Odyssey to explain the feel of the store; I wanted it to be hip and modern but have a nostalgic twist,” she says. “It’s funny now to be so far in the future and realize that candy is always evergreen.”
Has she herself ever felt like she might be ready to lay off the sugary stuff? “No way,” she says. “I’m chewing bubble gum as we speak.”
Here, Lauren shares her luxurious essentials for a sweeter, more colorful life.
"One of the products that we’re known for is our basic tackle box, which has 12 compartments of candy. For our 20th, we’ve made metallic boxes that are extra-large, with more compartments, and they’re so cool—there’s the wow of the size, the wow of the candy you can fill it with. There’s candy from all over the world that can go inside, and you can share it, which is so great."
“I like lightweight, rainbow ombré sunglasses. I think they're really beautiful and wearing them makes me feel cool."
“When we were designing our latest collection, metallics were a huge inspiration—from glitter to rhinestones and even car paint. I love the iridescent silver on this fanny pack; some people feel like it’s very 1980s, but I don’t care. I think it’s beautiful, and it’s great to have easy access to everything you need.”
“These shoelaces were on my sample wall as an inspiration for ribbons, because they are a great example of texture, color, and glitter. They give a pop to sneakers, which can sometimes feel not dressed up. They add pizzazz.”
“This umbrella from the MoMA design store shows you every shade of the rainbow and is great on a hot day or a stormy, rainy one. I love that it’s a color wheel, and it did inspire some of the pieces you’ll see in our 20th anniversary collection."
Essie Celebration Moments Nail Polish Collection
Essie Celebration Moments Nail Polish Collection
"Since I'm often crafting or styling a shoot and creating with candy, my hands can get messy. Whenever I have to transition to a more pretty mode, a pedicure always makes me feel better. I like Essie Celebration because of the glitter affect and the name, too. It's eye candy."
“I love being comfortable, and I can’t walk forever in heels. My friends who know me know I change my shoes quickly before an event. It’s great to have a lightweight pair of nice shoes like these.”
"I collect rabbits. I know this is inspired by a popular art piece, but it’s the fact that it’s a rabbit that I’m excited about. I also love that Jeff Koons [who created similar sculptures] was inspired by mylar balloons—it’s an everyday item that he made oversized. It reminds me of the design we’ve done inside the Dylan’s Candy Bar stores."
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