Winding past the modernist houses on the ride to Kelly Wearstler’s home in Beverly Hills feels like the intro to an HBO series. The feeling only intensifies as I’m whisked past a swarm of stylists trailing Wearstler into her dining room, where her spaceship-sized Fractured Racetrack Table is covered with fashion photographs, make-up cases and copies of French Fries, Marlè and Interview.
At 57, Wearstler radiates undone Hollywood glamour: long crimped hair and tan glowing skin. Her sheer, bubblegum-pink Gucci skirt is utterly inappropriate for a bright Friday afternoon in July but exactly what you would imagine her wearing to sketch wall mirrors or write her Substack, WearstlerWorld, read by more than 30,000 subscribers. She flashes an apologetic smile – this is not a good time – but offers a warm hug before vanishing into the dining room. I’m here to discuss the designer’s new collectables platform, Side Hustle, launching next week. She’ll mark the occasion with a month-long exhibition of more than 20 pieces at her 1,600sq ft pool house. Wooden crates stamped with the studio’s logo are already lined up outside in preparation.
Kelly Wearstler at home in Beverly Hills, with the Hollywood chair by Sam Klemick for Side Hustle. She wears Balenciaga top. All In Studio skirt, £847. Unravel Project boots. Stephen Jones hat. Styling by Shaojun Chen © Daria Kobayashi Ritch
