hiking wardrobe and became my favorite souvenir of the entire trip.” A new addition is already a favorite. “I turned 50 this summer and my best friend and soul sister Natascha Ovando-Karadsheh gifted me Naissance d’une Idée (Birth of an Idea) because it reminded her of me and my endless pursuit of the nascent idea.” It’s in Pantone’s 2020 color of the year Classic Blue, which encourages us “to expand our thinking; challenging us to think more deeply, increase our perspective and open the flow of communication.” “Perfect for this year, I think!” Wells said. On that note, in this unusual year, Wells has found another use for her scarves. “Early on, when masks weren’t readily available, I kept my Sur un Tapis Volant (On a Flying Carpet) tied to my purse, so I could wear it when I went into stores,” she said. “It’s not simple to wash, so I sadly started wearing far less interesting masks. Hermès has a washable silk scarf out now, though. I’m thinking it might be a good investment.” This kind of open-minded embrace of the world makes Wells the thoughtful leader she is. Back in late 2019, she had the chance to walk the Camino de Santiago in northwestern Spain by herself and reflect on the first 50 years of her life. “Gratitude and humility at the privilege I have enjoyed because of where I was born and the color of my skin is something that I thought about a lot, and continue to unpack and learn about as the world faces immense challenges,” she said. “I decided upon my return that I would find more time to volunteer in our community. I hope others find inspiration to channel their energy toward making positive changes that benefit others.” And while Wells enjoys and appreciates having pretty things like scarves and opportunities to travel, “having the opportunity to be of service to others is what really brings richness to my life,” she said. McKenna Wesley | CONTRIBUTING WRITER Whether tied to a bag or worn around the head, neck, waist or wrist, the Hermès scarf has been dubbed the female equivalent of a Swiss Army knife. AUGUST 2020 | 32 | FRONTDOORS MEDIA