Can't Live Withouts: Lyah LeFlore Ituen
Written By Carrie Edelstein
Photography By Suzy Gorman
She’s among the first residents at the High Low– a new literary arts venue from the Kranzberg Arts Foundation in the Grand Center Arts District. Lyah LeFlore Ituen is the drive behind the newly established Shirley Bradley LeFlore Foundation, an organization to honor her late mother, who was the Poet Laureate, and a top influencer in poetry and performance. Lyah, a best-selling author in her own right, left her Hollywood life of TV and film producing to come home to St. Louis to care for her mother before she passed last Mother’s Day. Less than a year after her death, Lyah will relaunch Shirley’s Creative Arts and Expression Laboratory (CAEL) this March while continuing her own work in the entertainment industry. She’s one to watch, so take note of her essentials!
A great fragrance. “Tom Ford Soleil Blanc is my latest greatest feel good, sexy scent.”
“A piece of jewelry from my mother’s vintage collection. Anyone who knew her knew that she was going to rock a fabulous head wrap, or shawl, or an ornate necklace or bracelet. Lately I’ve been rocking her vintage copper cuffs [pictured].”
A journal. “My mother left behind at least 100 with her private writings. She always encouraged me and my sisters, Hope and Jacie, to write out our private feelings, ideas, dreams, and thoughts and chronicle our experiences. Every birthday she’d give me a new journal for my journey. Now I’ll continue that tradition with my six-year-old, Bella Grace.”
Her phone.
A digital mini recorder. “The writer and old school journalist in me travels with one. You always want to be prepared to capture a great story.”
Lens wipes. “I wear eyeglasses and even when I have contacts in, I like a pair of funky fly readers. But I’m the worst when it comes to cleaning them so my new best ever is travel packets of pre-moistened lens wipes from Target.”
Hand cream– current obsession: Whole Foods’ Dry Skin Hand Cream with olive oil and shea butter.
Beauty Counter’s Caramel Lip Gloss.
Beauty Counter’s Topaz Powder Highlighter. “A great bronzer always does the body good.”
A great scarf, shawl or colorful pashmina. “Every time I see a unique one I buy it. It can funk up any outfit or add a little flair. I just feel like I’m channeling my mom when I wear one.”
