Hood: Nichols Canyon
Haunt: Soho House
L.A. Story: "I love the California lifestyle, lots of time spent outdoors, and the access to new ideas, different ways of thinking about how to approach life. That and the light, beautiful, inspirational light."

When people write about Geren Ford, they often write about travel. It makes sense, as the line’s designer, Geren Lockhart, has been a long-time jetsetter. She grew up bicoastal, between Northern California and New York City, before tripping around the world first as an advertising exec and then as a stylist. It might also be because of her inspirations, from Francis Bacon (who inspired her Fall 2010 collection), to, LanLan, a little known Chinese artist who expatriated to France in the 1930s.

“My line is inspired by travel in that I make clothes that are fit for living a lifestyle where you’re always looking, documenting and learning the way you do when you travel,” Lockhart says, smiling into her Skype camera from a country house in England, where she, of course, has gone to find inspiration.

Her fall 2011 collection remains true to the classicly modern style we’ve come to know her for. Rich caramel leather flows into a deep, bubbling red knit with a sheer purple inlay. More so that a penchant for travel, it’s safe to say that Geren Ford is about maintaining a balance of elements. Practicality and wonderment are in perfect, surprising harmony in snuggly knits and prints that are part swirling nebula, part primary color. The line was inspired by bravery, and brazenness, but also by strength.