Town & Country Associate Editor, Lenna Kim, shares her favorite NYC indulgences, what books she can't stop reading, and why Ines de la Fressange is her style icon

Leena Kim is an associate editor at Town & Country, where she started her career as the assistant to the editor in chief in 2013. In covering travel, culture, fashion, and weddings, she has written guides to the best destinations, hotels, primers on must-see TV, from Call My Agent! to Korean dramas, and tributes to inspiring individuals, from philanthropist Adrienne Arsht to the late legendary architect I.M. Pei.

 

Below, the always-stylish Leena shares what’s on her radar—from her current life motto to why she can’t stop reading Jane Fonda’s blog.

 

Where do you live: 


New York, Hell’s Kitchen

 

When I need to feel inspired, I.... 


Sit by the reflecting pool at Lincoln Center.

 

Life motto: 


It’s all about balance.

 

Something most people don’t know about Town & Country: 


That it’s the oldest continuously published magazine in America. We’re celebrating our 175th anniversary this year!

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My personal style: 


Pretty classic, lots of black.

The last thing I read (or watched) and loved: 


The last thing I read and loved: Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi. I couldn’t put it down—it’s beautifully written, absolutely heartbreaking, and really lingers. The last thing I watched and loved: Lupin on Netflix. It’s a refreshingly modern twist on the iconic tales of the French gentleman thief and has everything: a charismatic leading man (Omar Sy), mystery and intrigue, and Paris!

The best career advice I've ever received was: 

Treat the small assignments with as much care and diligence as you would the big ones.

I treasure…

Everyone I love, more than ever before. As for material things, all the random tchotchkes I’ve collected from my travels.

What makes great style: 

Self-awareness.

When travel is in again, the first place I’m going is: 

Tuscany

J.McLaughlin Style: Our best-selling cotton Jamey, reminds us of Aster in this glorious shade of blue’ish purple.

A hotel everyone needs to travel to someday: 


The Fife Arms in Braemar, Scotland. It’s an old Victorian inn that was completely revamped by Iwan and Manuela Wirth, the power couple behind international art gallery Hauser & Wirth. The amount of art in the hotel is just staggering—there is something new and interesting to discover in every immaculate corner of the place.

My favorite piece that I’ve ever written: 


A story on the comeback of Dynasty-era shoulder pads. People either love or hate eighties fashion but I, for one, am 100% on board with this trend!

 

Currently crushing on: 


Jane Fonda. She is #lifegoals. I recently discovered her blog, which she has been writing for more than a decade, and am even more obsessed.

A pandemic find: 

During the pandemic I have found that yoga and puzzles are actually fun! And that I can manage to paint my own nails.

Style Icon: 

For real-life applications, Inès de la Fressange. In my dreams, Killing Eve’s Villanelle.

In my fridge you’ll always find: 

Cilantro. And also sheet masks because I always forget they’re in there.

My indulgence: 

The portobello fries at Ardesia, my favorite neighborhood wine bar.