Shop With: Delphine Del Val, Founder of POOL Creatives and digital strategist.
Very opinionated, very active, very online (and very into vintage Levi's).
Delphine Del Val is the founder of POOL Creatives. Her talent roster is all-female, all powerhouse—women making waves in their respective fields. Leticia Sala, Erin Wasson, Brianna Lance,
, , Mimi Thorisson, . I could go on but you get it; impressive, inspiring.
Born and raised in Paris, Delphine moved to NYC in 2006, and after 18 years now sees herself as perfectly French/American. She also has an excellent read on shopping in Paris v NYC.
When I asked Delphine how she’d introduce herself: “I am very opinionated, very active, very online.” I love this so much. I wish more of us would be so bold. Ask anyone who knows her, read the interviews, Delphine Del Val is a talented force of nature.
I need to resist the urge to call her chic (how Parisienne). She is cool, strong, denim-rich, and has a deeply personal style that resonates.
She doesn’t have a Substack (yet) but if she did it would be called: “French Girls Don’t Have Credit Cards” as described to
recently. A perfect segue into our interview about—shopping.Let’s start with…what does shopping mean to you Delphine?
In Paris shopping means an afternoon with friends trying things on, laughing, maybe a bit more impulse shopping.
In NYC I almost exclusively shop online, it means usually Saturday or Sunday morning on the sofa post magazine and Substack reading.
Has your relationship with shopping changed over time?
Yes!
I used to shop for occasions, a lot for going out, dance, exciting pieces, stand out pieces, night life.
Now I shop for everyday pieces, either mandatory basics or “forever” pieces to add to what I own, and hopefully not doubling up with what I already own.
I suppose I am older, more reasonable—and it shows in my wardrobe.
When/where/how do you shop for yourself?
In Paris I shop in person with friends, or sometimes alone for a big purchase when I want only my opinion to matter. I buy less oversized, more navy, never sports clothes.
In NYC I buy more oversized, more black, more sporty as well.
I never shop with my husband, he has no patience.
What are the last three things you bought?
1. Pilates socks on Amazon, the best I have found so far.
2. A vintage Kelly, dark brown togo leather.
3. Vintage Levi’s jeans. I like to shop TRR, Poshmark, Vestiaire, Fashionphile.
What's the most unexpected item you've ever bought?
I don’t have one specifically but when I travel I love shopping at the local hardware and workers/fishing/hunting stores. I love gear! Carhartt etc. Minnesota, Colorado and Wyoming are GREAT for this.
What's the one item in your closet you can't live without?
Vintage Levi’s.
Many of us are looking for more ‘intentional’ shopping moments these days. What does this mean for you?
Just to make sure what I bring in works with enough pieces I already own, or adds something to my wardrobe and is not just another version of something. That what I buy goes with what I am trying to achieve now at my age, with my career, with my personal life.
In your work you’ve been surrounded by beautiful clothes and beautiful things for a long time. How do you choose what to buy for yourself? What makes the cut?
It depends.
For clothes, now it’s about perfect fit OR I have to have thought about it for a while and there is just no way I can forget about it.
If I can’t afford the one I want, I won’t buy a cheaper version.
When it comes to bags, for the most part I shop for styles that came out when I was younger and I couldn’t afford then. I chase them online and in vintage stores.
Tell me three items that are currently on your list to buy.
1. A Sherman Field precious stone chain, it’s so special and jewelry is usually my statement piece.
2. Christopher Esber black sheer T-Bar pumps. I saw them online in October and my heart stopped, I had to google lens them to find out where they were from. I thought about them at least 3x a week, so I had my friend who knows him ask him when they are coming out.
3. A new Levi’s denim shirt, mens, classic. My current one was gifted to me by my husband 15 years ago (it was his) and it now has holes. I love it more than anything but I need a clean version.
Do you ever have any guilt around shopping?
Yes, not because of the price but because the fit is wrong on me or the shoes are too small.
What’s the biggest misconception people have about you?
I think they don’t know that I was the biggest fan of Nirvana and 90s grunge and that a little grunge element is really important to me, somewhere in my look. I hate “perfection”.
Can you tell us about the product hunt? What’s involved when you’re hunting down something you really want to buy?
There are two bags I’ve wanted for a very, very long time,
The Stephen Sprouse for Louis Vuitton Graffiti Speedy bag, it’s from 2001. I didn’t have the budget for it back then. There are some available online pretty regularly, they are expensive, often in the neon print. I found mine in 2020 in a resale store in Paris. I keep it out in my library.
I absolutely love all the bags Sofia Coppola did for Louis Vuitton back in 2010. I really wanted the navy blue Keepall, the interior is grey suede, it was so out of reach, over $5,000 even back then.
I finally found one in good quality and at a decent price last year.
Do clothes and what you wear play an important role for you?
YES. If I am not happy with what I wear I don’t feel good.
What is your one go-to online store?
If I can only choose one, Uniqlo.
What makes you fall in love with a brand/product/item? What stands out for you?
Quality, lines, fit.
What do you think the future of shopping looks like?
Hopefully less buying for Instagram and more rewear, rewear, rewear.
Rapid Five
What city do you call home?
NYC.
Favorite place to eat?
Chez George in Paris.
Favorite place to shop?
In Paris, Thanx God I’m a VIP (mens). In NYC, Ralph Lauren.
Favorite place to run/hike/pilates/yoga/dance/tennis
Avea Pilates Studio in NYC, SkyTing Yoga in NYC.
Favorite coffee (tea/matcha/milkshake)?
Black coffee no milk no sugar. drip.
Those t-bar pumps might need to be on my wishlist now, too...
Loved reading about the differences between shopping in Paris and NYC, guess I’ll just have to try both... for research of course!