28
Years before shed frequent New York and Paris fashion weeks, she was already leaning into quiet luxury.
In 1996, Kelly Rutherfords entire life was centered in California.
She lived in a Beverly Hills duplex and was acting in Hollywood soap operas.
But sartorially, her eyes were set on the opposite coast.
New Yorks Upper East Side, specifically.
There, shed seen sophisticated older ladies carrying Hermes bags, and she envied the casual elegance.
None of my friends had those bags at the time.
Regardless, she was sold and purchased her first around age 28.
I loved it; it was classic.
By that point roughly 11 years later her Hermes collection had grown.
She even lent them to her character on occasion.
These days, a decade since the shows finale, Rutherford is the ultimate UES style icon.
When shes not snapping fit checks from the elevator, shes a front-row fixture at the buzziest fashion shows.
Below, Rutherford discusses life at 28, her fashion sensibilities, and her favoriteGossip Girlcouple.
Take me back to 1996, when you were 28.
I had just startedMelrose Place, which was very exciting because the show was already a success.
It was so nice to go on a show that you knew was going to go for a while.
Do you remember how you celebrated when you got the part?
When I got the phone call, I was in my kitchen.
I had a little duplex I rented in Beverly Hills.
I was living there with my dog, Oliver.
I had just come back from San Francisco with my mom, and I got the call.
Do you want to come do this?
I had done a TV series for Aaron Spelling calledKindred: The Embracedabout vampires.
So when they offered this to me, I was super excited.
What were you most proud of accomplishing at 28?
Being independent, having my own money, and being able to support myself.
I was saving for a house at that time.
When you werent working, what did a night out look like for you?
It wasnt like it is today.
I was just quiet.
I would walk my dogs, I would see friends.
When I wasnt working, I would travel to Europe and explore.
Everyone is obsessed withyour mirror selfiesand your quiet luxury aesthetic.
At 28, what was your signature style?
My style was super simple.
I loved jeans and T-shirts.
I used to wear JP Tods shoes, the little car shoe.
It was just very classic.
I remember saving up for my first Hermes bag when I was 28.
At that time, [Hermes] wasnt a thing like it is now.
Not every influencer had one.
Did you debut it immediately?
It took me a while.
I just stared at it for a week, like when you get a new car.
A lot of our readers are in their 20s and 30s.
Do you have advice for investing in designer items?
There arent a lot of things that hold their value as much as an Hermes bag.
[Also, Id consider] nice accessories and jewelry.
I still do it.
How were you feeling about your career at 28?
I was just so happy to do what I loved and to keep working on these interesting shows.
I loved that I was getting to play different characters.
It was really fun.
I felt like there was some consistency to all the work I put in.
What was the perfect date for you back then?
Going to dinner, going out with friends, going for a drink.
We were going to the movies.
How did you handle heartbreak at that age?
Oh, my gosh, I used to fall in love all the time.
Its not just dating for datings sake.
It certainly was an interesting time for me.
I definitely wanted kids.
But heartbreak, thats never easy at any age, is it?
Does it not get better?
Youre [wiser] in your choices as you get older.
My work was so all-consuming that I didnt take the time to develop that side of my life.
Gossip Girlfans ship their own favorite couples.
Who was yours: Chuck and Blair, Dan and Serena, or Lily and Rufus?
They had such chemistry in a way that was touching and so comedic.
It was like its own show happening.
What have you learned from Lily Van Der Woodsen that you wish you knew at 28?
Her strength, really.
I loved that she wasnt a victim.
She really was a matriarch and somebody who took responsibility for her mistakes.
This idea of You just have to handle it.
And thats part of being empowered.
Do you see all those TikToks now about loving Lily van der Woodsen?
I dont think any of us wouldve known that that would still be happening.
What was your favoriteGossip Girlplot twist?
I loved this Rufus/Bart Bass/Chuck Bass dynamic.
I really liked that whole stepmother-stepson relationship, regardless of Bart.
And having to choose between Rufus and Bart, who are so extremely different.
Sometimes thats what happens in life; youre given the extremes in your life.
But I loved that relationship [between] Chuck and Lily.
Who was the last person you talked to fromGossip Girl?
Caroline [Lagerfelt] and I text.
We texted the other day because shes redoing her place in New York and said its almost done.
We text about stuff like that.
We love seeing the photos of you and Ed at fashion week!
Hes such a love.
And hes so talented and such a good human being.
These days youre in every front row and youre a style icon, among many other things.
What do you think your 28-year-old self would think about your life now?
I dont think I had any idea of the things that were to come.
Recently my daughter was like, Go have some fun, go out there.
Because theyre teenagers now, so they dont want me hanging out.
So basically thats why Im at fashion week, because my 14-year-old daughter was like, OK, Mom.
Its just been this last year, but its so much fun.
Im having such a good time.
Wait, he just scouted you randomly in Paris?
I happened to be in Paris.
I was walking with my brother.
I met the guy walking around.
It was one of those last-minute things.
He asked me to bring up the show.
What was that like?
It was so fun!
And I was just [there] on vacation with my brother.
It was an adventure.
What would you tell your 28-year-old self?
Has there been a moment when you really felt like you made it?
It was a launching [pad] in many ways.
AndGossip Girlhas been one of those [moments].
Whats even more beautiful has been the response to the show or character.
I feel so lucky and blessed to have doneGossip Girland to have played this pop in of mother.
When you become a mom, thats the greatest thing in the world.
To play a mom on television and then [also] in real life?
Now whatever happens, Im just happy.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
