The Queen of Vail: Ann Bonfoey Taylor

A pioneer on the slopes. A visionary in fashion. This week, we honor Ann Bonfoey Taylor — the fearless muse behind our latest X2 Ski inspiration.

BY MCKINLEY GUIDRY, CO-FOUNDER & CO-DESIGNER OF X2 NYC

This week on X2 Society, we’re celebrating one of the ultimate icons of ski and vintage fashion — Ann Bonfoey Taylor, better known as The Grande Dame of Vail. Bold, elegant, and completely one-of-a-kind, she’s one of the main muses behind our upcoming X2 Ski collection.

Ann reminds me so much of my own approach to style, which integrating vintage and peculiar details into my everyday looks. My personal style and approach to designing final outcome often is borderline costume and I have learned to appreciate that side of myself because that is where I feel most at home with fashion. I like to describe my personal style as vintage-inspired eclectic heritage and tasteful maximalism. I relate to Ann because she was also quite theatrical and quirky, yet simultaneously effortlessly sophisticated and graceful. She didn’t follow trends — she created them. On the slopes, she combined pieces from her everyday wardrobe and evening looks, crafting ski outfits that were as glamorous as they were functional. In this excerpt, I want to give a little backstory on Ann while covering why we at X2 are so inspired by her. 

Ann wasn’t just a style icon — she was an accomplished athlete. In 1963, she made headlines as the first woman to ski down the Grand Teton in Wyoming. Long before that, she was already competing as a member of the U.S. Ski Team in 1940.

Ann Bonfoey Taylor in a skirt while skiing in Vail. (December 1964)

And if that’s not impressive enough, she also took to the skies. After a divorce left her financially strained, Ann sold her jewelry to fund flying lessons at the University of Vermont. By 1941, she became one of only 25 women in the country to earn a commercial flight instructor’s license — and was later recruited by the U.S. Army to train Air Corps cadets during WWII. Fearless doesn’t even begin to cover it.

When the war ended, Ann returned to her first love: skiing. She launched her own label, Ann Cooke Skiwear, where her creativity truly came to life. Her designs were innovative, playful, and deeply personal— think fringe-tasseled ski bags, military-inspired helmets and ski jackets, sophisticated tailoring, evening tails for the slopes, festive trims, brass hardware, and not so subtle nods to Scottish heritage. 

All elements you will see showcased in our upcoming X2 Ski Collection. I've been collecting inspiration for years on vintage ski ranging from the 1920s to 1980s and even exploring elements outside of ski from earlier era before recreational skiing and reimagining them for the slopes and Ann has the same vision. That's why when I first discovered Ann, I felt so connected to her. She had a similar mission for ski athletic wear and that is to revive sophistication and glamour in sport-wear and bring a unique lens which we intend to do through our vintage inspired personal style matched with our knowledge from studying our archived historical library of rare clothing and objects. 

What we love most at X2 Society is how Ann blurred the boundaries between sport, art, and everyday life. She brought the refinement of couture to the mountain and adorned ski attire. She wasn’t afraid to incorporate elements of home décor, unusual textures, or even evening wear silhouettes into her ski looks — turning functional pieces into works of art. Velvet trims, fur accents, metallic finishes, and tailored silhouettes weren’t just for après-ski; they were part of her expression on the slopes. It’s this fearless mix of practicality and theatricality — mountain-wear meets modern art — that continues to inspire our design ethos today.

American photographer, Toni Frissell shot these 1960s-era photos of Ann Taylor on the slopes of Vail. 

In 1946, Harper’s Bazaar featured Ann in a full spread that solidified her reputation as a fashion visionary. Her brand quickly gained traction, landing in major retailers before being acquired by Lord & Taylor.

Ann’s story is one of passion, purpose, and individuality. She had an adventurous soul, an impeccable eye for design, and a style that stood boldly apart. That same spirit drives us at X2 — the belief that you can have a unique style in ski and athletic wear and still fiercely shred on the slopes and revive elegance in sportswear without comprising functionality.  I mean look at this masterful helmet design pictured above, which you will see artistic tribute to in our upcoming collection for our helmet gloves. Confused what a helmet glove is, well you're going to find out. Let's just say they would have been Ann approved! 

American photographer, Toni Frissell shot these 1960s-era photos of Ann Taylor on the slopes of Vail styled with her brass, tassel corded, and hair ski fanny pack. 

Later in life, Ann married Vernon “Moose” Taylor, a charismatic Texas oilman, and together they spent their years skiing, horseback riding, and enjoying the mountain lifestyle they loved so much.

Outside of fashion and skiing, Ann’s life was deeply rooted in family, art, and giving back. She was a devoted mother of four, and her creativity extended well beyond the slopes. She was an artist and collector who had a true appreciation for craftsmanship — whether in painting, sculpture, or couture design. Her refined eye and love of beauty carried into her support for the arts, where she became known as a generous philanthropist. Ann contributed her time, energy, and resources to numerous cultural causes, helping to build and sustain the artistic communities she cherished.

Even in her 50s, Ann continued to captivate the fashion world. In 1965, Life Magazine ran a photo essay titled An Inventive Skier’s Worldly Wardrobe. Two years later, Harper’s Bazaar named her one of “The 100 Great Beauties of the World.” Vogue praised her “wit and dash,” and Town & Country celebrated her flair with The 101 Hats of Mrs. Vernon Taylor.

Photograph taken for Vogue magazine photo shoot for Nov. 1969 issue.

Ann adored architectural design and flawless tailoring — she was friends with Madame Grès (French coutier and costume designer), master of cut and drape. According to curator Dennita Sewell and Ann’s daughter-in-law Michelle Taylor, she valued construction and fit over embellishment. Her style signatures? Pink lipstick (never red), lush lashes, and bold statement cuffs.

Ann Bonfoey Taylor passed away in 2009 at the age of 98, but her influence continues to resonate. Many of her most treasured ensembles were gifted to the Phoenix Art Museum, a donation recognized as one of Art & Antiques Magazine’s top 100 museum gifts of 2008. The exhibition that followed — which also appeared at the Georgia Museum of Art — honored her as the true trailblazer she was: an artist, a mother, a philanthropist, and an icon who lived with grace, wit, and courage.At X2, we’re proud to carry her spirit forward — fearless, fashion-driven, and always a little off the beaten path. Because like Ann, we believe style isn’t just about what you wear — it’s about how you live.

Each week on X2 Society, we’ll continue to explore a new muse — whether it’s a remarkable icon, an unforgettable era, vintage fashion, an inspiring place, or even a peculiar object and interior space that captures our attention. Because inspiration, much like fashion, is everywhere… if you know how to look for it.