Letter No. 88 - Julia Hichens’ Signature Things
On opera nights, signature rituals, and small luxuries worth keeping.
Dear reader,
This week feels like a small return to beauty. Between garden soil under my nails and an evening at the opera on the horizon, I’ve been thinking about how style lives in our daily gestures, in what we reach for, what we treasure, and how we arrange the quiet corners of our lives.
I’m especially delighted to share a peek into the world of my dear friend Julia Hichens, whose ten signature things read like a study in grace. As the founder of
and someone who brings care and character to everything she touches, Julia’s sensibility is one I return to often. Hers is a life composed with intention, wit, and warmth.You’ll also find what’s currently on my mind: a rose-scented balm I can’t stop using, a perfume necklace I may not be able to resist, and a novel I’m eager to begin. Wishing you all a beautiful weekend!
Love,
Carolina
Please note: this newsletter is long, and packed with inspiration, so if your email platform tries to trim it down, make sure to open it in your browser to savour every detail.
A Night at The Opera
This week, I’m off to the opera to see Romeo & Juliette, and this is exactly how I’d love to dress for the occasion: elegant, sculptural, with just the right touch of drama.
Photo via Lino Muyres. Two tone dress, House of Dagmar. Bag, Toteme. Necklace, Le Sundial. Shoes, Toteme. Fan, vintage. Opera binoculars, vintage. Tennis bracelet, Dorsey. Perfume, Portrait of a Lady by Frederic Malle.
This newsletter contains affiliate links.
Julia Hichens’ Signature Things
As the founding force behind the cultural members club + newsletter
, and a headmaster known for her intellect and warmth, Julia Hichens brings quiet sophistication to every corner of her life. She is elegance personified—graceful, grounded, and deeply attuned to the world around her. She also happens to be one of my dearest friends, which makes sharing her Signature Things all the more special. Her sensibility is shaped by heritage, ritual, and appreciation: for books, for beauty, for a scarf tied just so. From a museum lion that watches over her home to roses that speak their own language, Julia invites us into a life carefully composed, yet utterly unpretentious. Here, she shares the ten objects and gestures that define her days.
1. A Knot at the Neck
When I was little, my dad dressed me in blue pea coats, Levi’s, RM Williams boots—and always a paisley bandana. In spring: a denim jacket and a bob. Some things never change. Today, scarves are still part of my daily rhythm. Mostly silk ones from Toteme, sometimes Hermès or Stenströms. I never leave the house without one. They’re both a gesture and a guard—my quiet signature.
2. A life of Roses
If I have a signum, this is probably it. Roses are everywhere—in my garden, our wedding, on windowsills. Most Fridays, I bring home a bouquet from my Turkish friend at the Haymarket. But even the faux ones from Newport have earned their place—so convincing they trick the eye. Roses are more than flowers here; they are a language of memory and mood.
3. The Scent of Bath Time
Bruno, our dog, loves a good bath as much as the rest of us. Since he arrived, Kiehl’s dog shampoo has become a household staple—ordered from the U.S., tracked down on Etsy, always worth it. I restock the Kiehl’s Musk oil for myself at the same time. It’s a scent story, shared across species and routines. A ritual of softness and familiarity.
4. The Gift of a Perfume
There’s something grounding about knowing what you like. For me, it’s Chanel: their brushes, their Paris–Riviera body lotion, and especially Misia, which came to me as a birthday gift from a friend. I think of her every time I wear it. Paris–Riviera smells like polished linen and citrus air—my version of understated glamour.
5. Books in Every Room
As a child, we spent seven weeks each summer on a sailboat. The only escape from noise, salt, and siblings was reading. That habit stayed with me. Now, not having a book by my bed or in my bag feels as unnatural as skipping morning coffee. Books are how I make sense of the world. Even how I decorate.
6. The Artifact of a Lifetime
It still feels like a heist, though it was perfectly legal. The Museum of Ethnography in Stockholm once sold me a lion sculpture—an English artist’s work created for their 1990s reopening. It now hangs on our wall like a silent guardian, watching over the room with calm authority. I pass it every day and wonder: how did I ever manage to bring this home? It feels like something you inherit, not something you acquire. A once-in-a-lifetime artifact.
7. On the Same Wavelength
I’ve used hair combs since I was a child. My mother wore them, and they became part of my quiet routine. I don’t do much with my hair—it more or less decides for itself—but on windy days, or when I’m one step away from a wash, or heading somewhere I want to look just a little more composed, I reach for one. There’s a rhythm to it, a kind of wavelength I’ve grown up on. They’re elegant without trying—a little Meryl Streep on horseback, a little Princess Anne in tweed. They’re coming back—and I welcome it.
8. Lacquer & Lineage
We inherited a collection of Chinese and Japanese furniture—especially from John’s childhood home and his late mother. They’re the perfect foil to the empire and regency pieces in our apartment. What I love is the culture they carry: the attention to detail, the artistry, the sense of formality and tradition so different from our own. Over time, they’ve become central to our aesthetic fingerprint.
9. True to Toteme
It started with a tote—and turned into something close to devotion. I’d always admired classic bags and the “it” crowd favorites, but Toteme had a different pull. The proportions, the purpose, the quiet confidence of each design. Now I have one for every occasion. Until the day a vintage 45 Birkin crosses my path, Toteme is the brand I stay true to—for bags, and honestly, for most things wearable.
10. The Art of Arrangement
Ceramic trays, cloisonné boxes, carved animals, odd treasures from travels or flea markets—these little objects are always moving. I shift them between rooms, seasons, moods. There’s beauty in how they meet each other. A home doesn’t need to be grand to feel storied. Sometimes it’s just about how things are placed.
Don’t forget to follow Julia on Instagram and Substack for more inspiration!
On My Mind
TREAT. I’ll admit, it was the heavenly rose scent that drew me in. But after a day of gardening left my hands in rough shape, this rose balm from Mantle worked overnight magic. It soothes everything from dry patches to chapped lips with ease and is sure to become a staple in my bag!
WEAR. A perfume necklace has been on my mind for ages, and this creation by ABOAB feels like the one. Elegant and utterly enchanting, it’s wearable poetry.
READ. Next up in my to-be-read pile is The Safekeeping by Yael Van Der Wouden, a gripping tale of obsession and secrets set against the haunting backdrop of post-war Holland. Can’t wait to dive in!
CARRY. The ideal summer tote should hold a book, wallet, phone, sunglasses, and sunscreen with effortless ease. Whether in the city or by the sea, this one from COS strikes the perfect balance of style and utility.