With her clean and colorful aesthetic, Tory Burch quickly became a household name. In the midst of running her eponymous brand, as well as the Tory Burch Foundation, which supports female entrepreneurs, it’s the quiet moments surrounded by her family that she treasures most.
What artists inspire you?
I was an art history major and art is always an inspiration in our collections, from Picasso and Brancusi to Eggleston and Fontana. Matisse is one of my all-time favorite artists—he had an incredible sense of color and texture. I would love to know how he saw the world.
What do you collect?
My mother collects blue-and-white porcelain and has passed on her love of it to me. We once spent an entire day in Tokyo looking for pieces of Imari [porcelain].
What imagery do you associate with the holidays?
Our tree. We decorate it with a mix of new and antique ornaments that have been passed down—and we always have peacocks for a pop of color.
Do you like to get away for the holidays or spend them at home?
As long as I am with my family I am happy to be home or away. New York is so festive and beautiful around Christmas, but it’s also a great time to travel.
Do you have a favorite holiday tradition from childhood that you share now with your kids?
My entire family gets together for a few days around Thanksgiving, playing sports, having hours-long dinners and listening to music. My mother always overdoes it with dessert table—pies, cookies [and] croquembouche.
What kind of gifts do you treasure most?
The most meaningful gifts are personal. I always wear the sunflower pendant my father gave me—he had it made for his mother and eventually gave it to me. More recently, my boys gave me spray-painted flowers for Valentine’s Day—creative and long-lasting!
