New York Fashion Week kicked off last night with a star-studded J.Crew party downtown at Pier 17. Beloved rock band The Strokes performed, while stars like Diane Keaton, Sadie Sink, and Jodie Turner-Smith mix-and-mingled. What more could one ask for from a glamorous soirée? Ahead of the party, Vogue caught up with Keaton. And given she’s an A-list Hollywood talent and noted fashion star, there were no shortage of questions we had for the screen legend.
Keaton discusses her epic hat collection—she owns over 40, and still counting—what she’s excited to wear for fall, and how she feels about being a style icon. (Hint: “Why me.”)
Vogue: Hi! How are you doing? How does it feel to be here for fashion week?
Diane Keaton: I’m doing fine! Are you kidding? I’m happy to be here in New York. It feels really exciting—but also scary. What if I blow it?
Oh, please. What excites you most about attending a fashion event?
I get to look at everybody! Imagine that. That’s just a treat—all the people we get to look at, and see what’s going on. I haven’t been here for a long time, nor have I been in this situation for a long time. So it’s great for me.
You attended the J.Crew party. What do you love about the brand’s clothes?
I just love it. I love fashion; I’ve always loved it. [J.Crew] is fantastic. The gang does a really good job. I own some J.Crew, but maybe I’ll ask them today if they can give me all of their clothes. I think I need them—and they don’t want to miss out on that.
We have fall fashion on the mind this week, so I’m curious: What are you excited to wear these coming months?
All the clothes—I love them. Anything that hides my body. Anything that hides my face!
You have such an amazing outerwear collection. Do you have a go-to coat?
I love a coat. I love a jacket. And I love a belt. These things are great, because they sustain the idea that I have a body. I’m not kidding! I like to have a belt that’s a little tighter.
I love that you often wear black and white, but your outfits never feel plain. What’s the trick to this?
I don’t want to be flashy, but I do want to dress myself with what I like. [With a black and white outfit,] you can add anything to it. I can wear a lot of hats. Or coats with a wide belt. I don’t get too crazy with color. I also like suits with turtlenecks, and vests.
Your hat collection is quite epic. How has it been growing that collection?
It hasn’t been a problem! I love them—nothing’s changed, I still love them. I have quite a large assortment of hats. I’ve kept every one that I’ve had an opportunity to put on my stupid head.
Have you lost count of how many hats you own?
I would say that I have about 40 hats. Don’t put that against me! Don’t you dare tell anyone [laughs].
Why! I think that’s a reasonable amount.
I think it’s pretty weird. But I love it. My favorite is a plain black Baron bowler hat. I’ve had it for so long. It’s good—it’s dependable. And the head is still there—mine, I mean.
Lastly, I wanted to ask you: A lot of people have dubbed you as a style icon, us included. What does that title mean to you?
It’s an honor! Why me? I’ve been so fortunate and lucky. And I do love clothes; I love looking at them. I buy all the magazines, and I’m constantly cutting pages of things that I find interesting—a Dior outfit, hats, or how people decorate their homes. I’m an addict.