Breadcrumbs ![A Creative Director Shares Her Little Black Book](https://media.sheerluxe.com/FYBG_CLwP07g1fGDRa1LedLnwdU=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F03%2Fsl-site-assets-130326-hero-citizens-founder-interview.png) ![A Creative Director Shares Her Little Black Book](https://media.sheerluxe.com/m0yFiZMrnfEgaIshyQIeLC2lsJU=/400x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F03%2Fsl-site-assets-130326-hero-citizens-founder-interview.png) Images: Citizens Of Humanity; The Bowery Hotel; @TheRow; Acne Studios [Interviews](/fashion/interviews) / 13 March 2026 # A Creative Director Shares Her Little Black Book As creative director of Citizens of Humanity, Marianne McDonald has an instinct for effortless style – and an eye for the details that make fashion feel personal. Years spent travelling between fashion capitals have also given her a global address book of favourite boutiques, vintage haunts and destinations around the world that continue to shape her perspective on style. Here are her recommendations… ByElaine Lloyd-Jones / [ Save To My Favourites ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/50835) Images: Citizens Of Humanity; The Bowery Hotel; @TheRow; Acne Studios All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products. [ ![Citizens Of Humanity](https://media.sheerluxe.com/RhruEcJWQtUDKpnPm5E0qK-aO9w=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F03%2Fsl-130326-citizens-founder-lbb-1.png) ](https://citizensofhumanity.com/) Citizens Of Humanity **Paris is a city that I find endlessly inspiring.** Parisian style isn’t about excess or chasing trends. It’s about proportion, texture and attitude. A perfectly cut blazer, a worn-in pair of denim, a silk blouse that moves just right. The pieces themselves may be simple, but the way they’re worn makes them feel memorable. [**The Row**](https://www.therow.com/en-gb?srsltid=AfmBOorR63MMs4YLHcnV5U71eR7Txiiz4oVUlEE8HuvknBiNskXmLijJ) **is a brand that does a beautiful job of capturing modern simplicity.** The pieces feel incredibly thoughtful and refined – the kind of quiet luxury where the fabric, cut and proportion speak for themselves. [**Zimmermann**](https://www.zimmermann.com/uk/) **is a brand I’d recommend time and again.** Its dresses have such a beautiful sense of femininity and ease – they instantly make you feel good. **I still appreciate brands like** [**GAP**](https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=etT1jgERWYw&mid=53076&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gap.co.uk%2F) **for the simplicity of great basics** – it was actually where I had my first job, and I’ve always loved the idea that simple pieces can look incredibly polished when they’re done well. **A beautifully tailored coat is always the best investment.** For me, it was a navy cashmere trench with the most incredible drape. It elevated even the simplest outfit. I speak about it in the past tense because I accidentally left it hanging in a hotel closet somewhere in the world. Losing it still haunts me a little... It was one of those rare pieces that felt completely timeless. **Great denim, a crisp shirt and a well-cut blazer is my go-to when I’m pressed for time**. It’s simple, but the proportions and quality of the pieces make all the difference. I’m loving the [Ayla](https://www.instagram.com/p/DVtzmslidqV/?hl=en&img_index=1) jeans for a refined take on the baggy silhouette. You can wear them cuffed or uncuffed, but we’re seeing a real trend towards cuffs at the moment – this was particularly prominent during Paris Fashion Week. Parisian style isn’t about excess or chasing trends. It’s about PROPORTION, TEXTURE AND ATTITUDE. [ ![The Bowery Hotel](https://media.sheerluxe.com/M_Aevnq_Dllt5k4B1qBB5aQ7AIU=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F03%2Fsl-130326-citizens-founder-lbb-2.png) ](https://theboweryhotel.com/) The Bowery Hotel **Low-heeled sandals are my travel essential** – they’re comfortable enough for walking through cities but still feel polished for dinner. Right now, I'm loving the [Loop Sandals](https://khaite.com/products/loop-kitten-heel-sandal-35-in-cuoio?_pos=37&_sid=179d52732&_ss=r) from Khaite. **I love bags that feel understated and beautifully made rather than overly branded.** [Acne Studios](https://www.acnestudios.com/uk/en/home) makes beautiful leather bags that are perfect for everyday wear. **The one piece in my wardrobe I couldn’t be without is a** [**perfect pair of jeans**](https://citizensofhumanity.com/collections/womens-jeans)**.** When denim fits beautifully and creates the right silhouette, it becomes the foundation of almost everything I wear. **A trend I’m loving at the moment is the return of richer, deeper tones** – chocolate browns and medium-washed indigos feel particularly modern right now and pair beautifully with classic denim silhouettes. **I love the edit at** [**Wright’s**](https://wrightsmb.com/) **in Manhattan Beach, where I live.** It carries pieces that feel timeless, unique and thoughtfully selected. I tend to gravitate toward beautifully curated boutiques rather than chasing trends. **New York is where my perspective on style was really shaped.** I lived there for nearly a decade, in the West Village, and it completely influenced the way I think about dressing. What always fascinated me was how every neighbourhood had its own distinct personality. Uptown polish, downtown ease, the creative energy of the Lower East Side, where my boyfriend – now husband – lived, the quiet charm of the West Village. When denim fits beautifully and creates the right silhouette, it becomes THE FOUNDATION OF ALMOST EVERYTHING I WEAR. [ ![The Bowery Hotel; @Eat_FWD; Citizens Of Humanity; Round Top Antiques; @TheRow; Gap; Acne Studios](https://media.sheerluxe.com/0_InUiFkGbGEU1obSyRuaXqAqko=/1920x0/smart/filters:no_upscale()/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F03%2Fsl-130326-citizens-founder-lbb-landscape.png) ](https://www.instagram.com/mariannegmcdonald/) The Bowery Hotel; @Eat_FWD; Citizens Of Humanity; Round Top Antiques; @TheRow; Gap; Acne Studios **New York style feels incredibly personal.** It’s less about a single aesthetic and more about individuality and attitude. People dress for their lives: walking, working, going out, creating. That mix of practicality and self-expression creates a kind of authenticity that I find endlessly inspiring. **Italy is one of my favourite places to shop.** Whether it’s Milan, Rome or a small coastal town, you always discover something beautifully made. The fabrics and prints have a richness, the leather goods feel timeless, and even the simplest pieces reflect incredible attention to craft. **When I travel, I’m always drawn to the small ateliers and family-run shops** where you find gorgeous leather sandals, beautiful scarves or a perfectly cut linen piece. These are the items I come home with, pieces that carry a real sense of place and feel truly special. **If I'm ever in Austin, I love heading to** [**Round Top**](https://www.roundtoptexasantiques.com/)**.** It is an incredible antique and vintage show that draws designers and collectors from all over the world. Not only is the vintage amazing, but the people-watching is just as good. **I once came across a vintage stall at a flea market in Bangkok** **that had the most comprehensive selection of vintage denim I’ve ever seen.** Racks of perfectly worn-in Levi’s from different decades, beautiful indigos in every possible shade. As someone who works in denim, it felt like discovering a living archive. [**The Bowery**](https://theboweryhotel.com/) **in New York is always inspiring** – the atmosphere, the views, the nearby shopping and the creative energy around it make it a place where ideas tend to flow. **The restaurant that I always recommend to friends is** [**Fishing With Dynamite**](https://eatfwd.com/) in Manhattan Beach. It’s one of those places where everything on the menu is delicious, but the seafood and cocktails are incredible. *Follow* [@CITIZENSOFHUMANITY](https://www.instagram.com/citizensofhumanity/) *&* [@MARIANNEMCDONALD](https://www.instagram.com/mariannegmcdonald/) [ ![@Eat_FWD](https://media.sheerluxe.com/l3kOlMLkh9kCZncA9EK7WAySF98=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F03%2Fsl-130326-citizens-founder-lbb-4.png) ](https://www.instagram.com/eat_fwd/) @Eat_FWD [ ![Citizens Of Humanity](https://media.sheerluxe.com/lKdwd-iic8ebmzGhEwntXUyxJww=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F03%2Fsl-130326-citizens-founder-lbb-3.png) ](https://citizensofhumanity.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoo6VAcWUdmBemD0WtyF9uLahk3_X9VvPd7sgpATMAJ2CGv15x2w) Citizens Of Humanity *more from* Fashion [View All Fashion](/fashion) ![Join Sapna & Lu At A Special Festive 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