Erica has been on the internet scene since around 2006 when she started her first blog, posting photos of her outfits. Soon came a second blog, Laws of General Economy, one of the first clothing resale platforms on the internet. The site still exists online (though its activity moved to Instagram in 2016) and immediately feels like a relic of the not-so-distant past. Erica gained a lot of traction on the internet in 2018 when she was featured in “A Week of Outfits” on Joanna Goddard’s blog, Cup of Joe. Today, her beloved account @ahistoryofarchitecture reaches many tens of thousands of followers. She is totally an influencer (and an actual assistant professor of architectural history, and a mom, and a runner, and an author) and totally down to earth.

Listening back on our conversation and reviewing Erica’s Instagram feed feels prescient in light of recent news that another beloved independent brand (Ilana Kohn) is shuttering. The brands Erica chooses to feature and collaborate with (she does not get paid) are tiny, and sustainability is a constant thread. The beauty of her feed is in the repeated pieces- her favorites that appear over and over again in playful layering, mixing of color palette, pattern and texture, bringing freshness to each iteration of a piece. Erica’s presence shows a rapt audience how to support small brands not necessarily with the “newness” of a piece, but with constant reinvention. 

Erica and I talked about lots of things- her meandering journey from Long Beach, California to Montreal; a fortuitous path through academia; her lifelong love of thrift shops (called friperies in Canada!); the randomness of life paths; the economy of resale; logistics of living in Canada…..

Here’s a Q+A!


RB: What are the highlights for really seeing Montreal, in a culturally/historically/design rich way?

EAK: I think Montreal is such a wonderful and easy city to visit because it’s compact. I recommend renting a bike because the city has a few hills and transit isn’t as accessible as I would like. For a quick visit, I think you can spend a lot of time in Mile End, the Plateau, Mont Royal, and Little Italy. Montreal’s architecture is distinctive for its exterior staircases at the front of the house, and there are so many examples of early to mid century factories and commercial buildings to enjoy. I actually avoid the downtown and Old Montreal area, I find there’s so much to see closer to my place. There are independent galleries, so many bookstores, great clothing shops and friperies on Boulevard St Laurent. My favorite clothing shops are Odeyalo, Eliza Faulkner and Unicorn. Wilensky’s for a classic grilled salami and mustard sandwich, Pho Tay Ho if you’re closer to little Italy. Catch a film at Cinema Beaubien, with Sandwicherie Sue beforehand, and a crème glacée molle before you head home for the night.


RB: Do you have a travel piece that goes with you on nearly every trip you take? 

EAK: I take my running shoes no matter where I travel, whether it’s a conference in Milwaukee or Venice. There’s no better or faster way to see a place, especially if you’re jet lagged and up at 5 am. I’ve run around the entire historic center of Rome at 6 am and it’s almost  completely empty. 


RB: In thinking about architecture, is there a structure that you visit often? Or, that you hold on to as a beacon for inspiration?

EAK: I always think of Louis Kahn’s Salk Institute which has the most beautiful use of concrete, wood and water. There are certain buildings where you can feel the geometries in your body. The Salk and the pantheon in Rome both have that effect on me. 


RB: Do you have a style icon? How about when you were growing up?

EAK: My style icon is Katherine Hepburn. Growing up, I wanted to be Huck Finn or Audrey Hepburn, and I find I still oscillate between these two poles. 


RB: Can you name three forever pieces in your wardrobe? Where did they come from?

EAK: My Milena Silvano Moon Coat that is so lightweight, warm, and instantly transforms my outfit. I have a So Elly Belgian linen sleeveless dress with buttons and a full skirt that has the perfect weight. It’s classic and so beautifully made. I don’t wear a lot of jewelry, but I have a brass bangle by Ursa Major that is elliptical and weighted on one end for the most wonderful heft. 

RB: I know you have a long history as a thrifter- what's been your biggest score? And, your biggest regret?

EAK: My biggest score is a Prada dress that I found in a consignment shop for $100, it’s a wool color blocked shift, purple on top, burgundy skirt. 

My biggest regret is donating a pristine 1950s party dress that still had the tags. I was moving to Toronto from Boston and thought I would never wear it. But sometimes it’s ok to keep special pieces as long as your “collection” doesn’t take over a closet. I still think about this dress, and it’s been nearly 15 years. 
 

RB: Are there any online, independent shopping sites that you'd like to shout out?

EAK: Dear Golden, Covet and Lou, Open House, Dotter, Field Study, Rennes, Worthwhile, Abigail Rose and Lily Too, Fawn, The Wanderly, Lucky Sweater, Noihsaf.