Remembering Annabel Tollman
How could I go on blogging another day without paying tribute to one of my fashion inspirations, the fabulous Annabel Tollman. She was one of those people you instantly connect with, ya know? Twitter BFF. Big sister. Kindred spirit.
And I can’t imagine I’m the only one who feels this way because I think the amount of people she touched both big and small (like moi) in her 36 years is endless. Annabel was one of the most talented stylists around and worked with big names, yet always seemed to stop and have time for a chat with us little people. I still have her personal email bookmarked, and she always responded to me with a little “xo.”
I first met Annabel at Fashion’s Night Out in September 2011 at Dylan’s Candy Bar, and I’m now glad I walked up and down the store three times over to find her. She gave me a huuuuge bear hug. Obviously she was there to promote high heels (a love we both shared! her fav classic was the Manolo “Bebe,” by the way) and when she saw mine she immediately commented on them with her amazing Brit wit. She then asked about my almost 2-year-old and recommended places for my husband and me to eat dinner that night (but no places too stuffy because Annabel just wasn’t like that). It was fashion week, after all, so she had upcoming appointments with the likes of Badgley Mischka, Derek Lam and Prada, but for the little moment she spent with me she made me feel like I was of superstar status…yelling to the other visitors in the store that they must check out I Heart Heels.
I continued to chat back and forth with Annabel on Twitter for a number of years (she loved my alternative term for fat: “fluffy”) and even helped set me up with a shoe giveaway with a brand out of the kindness of her heart. I’ll certainly miss her jovial, witty and fashionable banter on Twitter.
But I can’t help but think her sweet, sweet soul is smiling down on us right now, admiring (or admonishing) the pair of shoes we’re wearing. I’ll always wear my Annabel Tollman for Rockport purple heels with pride. Miss ya, Annabel. xo
P.S. Read here for my Q&A with Annabel. (of course, rather than working with an agent, I worked directly with her on this.)