Desk Tour: Jessie Randall
The creative behind Loeffler Randall shares her space!
Welcome to Desk Tour, a series where I interview creative folks about their desks and workspaces. In case you missed it: Grace Atwood’s Desk Tour from last time. Scroll to the bottom of this post for the full catalog of Desk Tours.
When I was a fashion and beauty editor living in Manhattan, I attended an event for a nail polish brand that consisted of a free pedicure and a free pair of sandals to wear home afterward. When the publicist mentioned the sandals and asked for my shoe size in an email, I was fully expecting those paper-thin disposable flip flops that you see at most nail salons. Instead, they had gifted us all a pair of Loeffler Randall Starla Gladiator Sandals1. I was, as you can imagine, thrilled. Though that day was nearly a decade ago, I still own those very sandals and, in fact, just wore them to a wedding last weekend.
Those Starla sandals are one of the oldest, most-worn items in my closet now. They also single-handedly cemented my belief that no one makes shoes quite like Loeffler Randall. Years later, I bought my wedding shoes from the brand, and more recently, I treated myself to a pair as a book publication gift to self. All this is to say that I am thrilled to be talking to Jessie Randall of Loeffler Randall today for Desk Tour. Let’s take a peek into her space, shall we?
OM: Describe your workspace.
JR: My workspace is at my office in SoHo. We have been in this building for about 8 years but this past year we needed more space. So my husband joined the office from the building next door. We have a full creative studio now with my whole team and our design room. I used to always share an office with my husband and biz partner Brian. We had a beautiful office looking west out over the West Village. With this new space I moved into a separate office. I love my desk with its desk tablecloth ruffle, skylight, tack up board, Alfred Newall bookcase and the counter with curtains I sewed myself. It’s nice to finally have a space that is truly my own and that I get to decorate and keep all my inspiring bits and bobs around me.
OM: What are your three favorite items on your desk right now?
JR: Number one is my desk ruffle. My friends at Faeger and Co had it made for me exactly to fit my desk. It’s so special - it even has my name embroidered on it - and it makes me smile every time I see it. I recently added glass on top to make it even more functional.
When I was in London this spring I saw several desks with tablecloths on top. What a sweet idea! Faeger made it even more genius by adding a little ruffle.
My Italian stapler in the best color green. It’s got smaller size staples which are so chic.
A little crochet doily that my coworker Zoe had made for me. It’s my name crocheted into the center.
OM: Do you keep anything specific at your desk that you use as inspiration to stay creative or positive?
JR: My ribbon organizer [similar options here] I got on Etsy. I am constantly wrapping gifts for friends and family or working on creative projects. I have a full holder of a gorgeous rainbow of ribbon, most of the ribbon from Studio Carta, my favorite ribbon supplier. I also have seam binding ribbon ([from] Hug Snug which sadly went out of business but I bought up as much dead stock as I could) too which I love.
I have a little post-it that my daughter put on my computer years ago “your (sic) an icon - Clementine” it always cheers me up.
All the girls on my design team and I keep a childhood photo near our desk. They are so cute to look at. And I have this theory that we are all trying to get back to our kindergarten selves. It’s such a good reminder of the little girls we were and our styles have staying very much the same!
I have a beautiful curtain behind my desk. Hidden under is a mini fridge with all my Diet Cokes…I have a Diet Coke every morning right when I start work.
OM: Is there anything you absolutely HAVE to have at your desk/workspace or you can't be productive?
JR: I have a beautiful curtain behind my desk. Hidden under is a mini fridge with all my Diet Cokes. So that would be number one. I have a Diet Coke every morning right when I start work.
I also just love my curtains. I sewed them myself out of beautiful Alice Sargeant fabric. They hide my filing cabinets and all my mess. Keeping the clutter hidden really helps me be more productive.
Other supplies I keep nearby are: pretty stickers from Choosing Keeping, a basket from Nickey Kehoe where I have beautiful fabric swatches, my tack up inspo board, a pretty plant from The Old Yew.
OM: Is there anything you'd change about your workspace? If so, what?
JR: I wish my office was by a window. I am lucky to have a skylight but it would be lovely to look out over the city. I decided to give that view to my team instead.
…I like to sit at my desk and take careful snips of beautiful leathers and fabrics, little bits of ribbon for color inspo. I’ll arrange these on a color palette or take inspiration images and get on my hands and knees and staple them to a giant inspo board.
OM: Describe your ideal work day at your desk.
JR: I’m not often at my desk because I’m so busy and always running around. But my ideal workday would be taking the subway to SoHo with my daughter (she continues on to the Upper West Side). I go to the gym and do a simple Pilates workout. I’m really there for the steam room. It helps clear my mind. It’s such a nice ritual to start my day. I will listen to a funny podcast on my earbuds getting ready. Then to the coffee place downstairs where the sweet manager has my coffee ready and waiting for me and always winks at me and makes me feel special. Then I like to have some time just for myself to settle in and get a bunch of computer work done for my kids and household stuff. Then I am ready to start my day with the crack open of my Diet Coke.
I love color and raw materials. So I like to sit at my desk and take careful snips of beautiful leathers and fabrics, little bits of ribbon for color inspo. I’ll arrange these on a color palette or take inspiration images and get on my hands and knees and staple them to a giant inspo board. I love to look at craft books and vintage images. I’ll meet with my team in our design room and make a million different decisions. Hopefully I’m not at my desk all day and I can get out in the sunshine to walk a bit. I will be looking at the fit of RTW or shoes, visiting our store on Prince Street to chat with our amazing team there. Then I’ll be back in my office wrapping up a little gift to mail to a friend, writing a thank you note. Maybe someone inspiring will come visit me for a coffee, like a friend or someone I recently met. Then I’ll organize my space, water my plant and head back on the subway home to Brooklyn.
OM: Where can people find you on the internet?
JR: My brand is Loeffler Randall [Instagram: @LoefflerRandall]. We’ve been designing distinctive staples and “wow” outfit making pieces for nearly 20 years. My personal Instagram is @jessie_loeffler_randall where I share my creative life in outfits, interiors and inspiration. Very excited that I just launched my very own Substack called Jessie Loves. It’s a deep dive on one subject twice a month with all my best resources and tips. The most recent issue was Jessie Loves: A Core Wardrobe — all the staples I wear on repeat.
Note from Olivia: Back in June when I was in the city for my book event at Barnes & Noble in Union Square, I stopped in the Loeffler Randall location on Prince Street beforehand to treat myself to a celebratory pair of shoes. I tried on my whole outfit with different shoes and everything! The team was so nice, but what really impressed me was a day or so later when an associate from the store had emailed me to say that they hoped my event went well and to thank me for stopping in. It was incredibly thoughtful. But back to Jessie’s magical workspace.
If you know me, then you know I am obsessed with Jessie’s office. The ribbons alone. The colors! The desk skirt! I die. Plus, I really do have to say that there is a special place in my heart for anyone who cracks open an ice cold Diet Coke to kick off their day. Should I invest in a mini fridge for my new office? I think maybe yes…
Be sure to check out the past editions of Desk Tour:
Blogger, journalist, and content creator Ayana Lage’s Desk Tour
PS: One last thing before I go… you can order my first novel NOW! If you’ve already read and enjoyed, I would be honored if you would leave a kind review or rating on Goodreads or Amazon. It makes a world of difference. I appreciate your consideration, time, and support immensely.
A portion of October’s subscriber proceeds will go toward the American Red Cross, specifically its Hurricane Helene relief efforts.
One day, I will write a whole piece about the sheer excess of every single beauty PR event and mailer. I still can’t wrap my brain around some of it.
aw i love this!! Jessie is the best.
Oh, this is a dream 😍 I don't own enough ribbons to realistically need a ribbon organizer but I'm afraid I need one now.