Slow Fashion: Erin Conry Webb

“Outerwear is a very specific thing that women invest in and purchase,” she said. “With time, we’ve gained a cult following with Nour Hammour, but I really believe in a slow burn for a brand rather than getting too big too fast. For Déhanche, I've always been a big belt person. A couple of years ago, I wanted to find some beautiful belts and in Paris, there’s excellent vintage. And I found some great pieces here, but when they're vintage, they always crack and I wanted some stunning styles that I could wear every day.”

“Being able to throw something on and look good makes me feel strong and powerful and ready to attack the day,” she said. “I don't spend more than five minutes getting dressed every day. That's what gives power to a woman.”

With Déhanche, Erin is laser-focused on the belt category, while having a strong point of view. She mixes leather with unique metals to pull an outfit together. The same can be said for Nour Hammour. “Being able to throw something on and look good makes me feel strong and powerful and ready to attack the day,” she said. “I don't spend more than five minutes getting dressed every day. That's what gives power to a woman.”

Here, we asked Erin about her style and how its evolved from a California dressed-up vibe to an effortless and casual French aesthetic, the trick to sourcing really beautiful and quality leather, and why she’s focused on IRL influence versus on Instagram for fashion inspiration.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE?

My style has really evolved. I’m from California and while living there, my style was way, way, way more dressy. I'd dress up for something during the day and then again for something at night. And then I moved to Paris, and my style became a bit more casual because everything is very undone here. Overall, I would say my style is always a bit sophisticated. I’m always dressed up, but I will have on a small heel, even if I'm running errands during the day.

When it comes to my brands, there’s a sensuality that I put into Déhanche that I'm really connected to. And for Nour Hammour, it's very powerful pieces, but also very wearable. There’s an ease and comfort.

“When it comes to my brands, there's a sensuality that I put into Déhanche that I'm really connected to. And for Nour Hammour, it's very powerful pieces, but also very wearable. There's an ease and comfort.”

WHAT GETS YOU EXCITED ABOUT FASHION?

With Instagram now, there’s so much repetition. I live in the Marais in Paris and it’s an area where there's a lot of tourists, but also a lot of people who work in fashion since there are a variety of showrooms and ateliers. And those people are really inspiring to watch, from the way they dress to how they put things together. They have pieces you can buy off the rack now, but a lot is vintage. That's most exciting to me. There are a lot of people that I follow on social media, but seeing them in person or going to a meeting is what excites me the most.

DO YOU HAVE ANY CRITERIA WHEN PURCHASING SOMETHING NEW?

With both Nour Hammour and Déhanche, we source materials very specifically. We make sure that the production is being done in a way that's either the least harmful for the environment or the brand is doing something to offset that and not just say it our marketing.

I also find that the female founder aspect is a perk. I resonate with designers who are female because there's a certain understanding of what a woman wants. I find myself gravitating to that quite often. I’ll find something that I really want and do my homework on it.

 I will also note that my buying behavior has changed. When I was in the United States, I would shop, shop, shop at all different price points. And then, when I came to Paris, my buying behavior was forced to change for many different reasons. And then, on top of that, culturally, it's different in Paris. People save up for one beautiful cashmere sweater rather than buying 15. So, I’ve become more prudent and save up or invest in something that I love.

“It's about having a piece in your wardrobe that will be something you wear for many years to come.”

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE FABRICS AND TEXTURES?

I love outerwear and cashmere wool. I'm always drawn to that when it becomes fall. I also love beautiful tweeds and I live in jeans during the fall. Also, I've been drawn to muslin fabrics. I can't get enough of that for myself, for my jackets, for my shirts, for my daughters, for everything.

And then, of course, leather, but responsibly sourced. Leather is something that I enjoy working with. And I could probably consider myself a bit of an expert on it after being in the industry for over a decade. It's one of the most complex materials to work with. There are two important things when it comes to leather—the touch and feel of it. I love a smooth leather, they call it a ‘végétal.’ There's a bit of imperfection that you can see and you’re able to iron directly onto it and see some of the grain. There's a bit of a shine and suppleness and it will get nicer with time.

PAGERIE IS ALL ABOUT QUALITY AND WHAT WE LIKE TO CALL SLOW FASHION. WHAT DOES THE IDEA OF SLOW FASHION MEAN TO YOU?

It's about having a piece in your wardrobe that will be something you wear for many years to come. On PAGERIE’s website, they call them modern heirlooms and that's the way that we've presented our outerwear. The same goes for my belts, too. When it's leather, it's something that you want to have and invest in and keep for a long time. Fashion is getting faster and faster and faster. You're not seeing that normal cadence of sales coming in and out. So it's about investing in a style for you as a woman or man because you love it and not because it's being dictated to you as what's cool.

CONSIDERING YOUR ETHOSE AROUND GETTING DRESSED, HOW DO YOUR PAGERIE PIECES FIT INTO YOUR WARDROBE?

I love to incorporate small details and accessories to transform an outfit. An unexpected foulard can be worn on the neck, around my shoulders, or as a touch on my handbag. Jolinard, my Bordelaise Whippet, now lives in California with my parents, and she enjoys the leather Pagerie Harness.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR DÉHANCHE AND NOUR HAMMOUR?

We've had a huge, huge year. But we're trying to be slow and steady. We've been specific about who we partner with and for the first time, since we launched, it's been 10 years, we're launching at Net-a-Porter with a couple of exclusive pieces.

We're also relaunching our website in a couple of weeks. We have a very techy client base. It’s a lot of C-level women and it’s important that leather makes them feel strong and powerful in their own way. But also comfortable.

And for Déhanche, lly laser-focused on belts and I want to be the belt brand with a very fashion forward point of view.  

ERIN'S PAGERIE PIECES