STACEY BENDET
Launched in 2002, alice + olivia by Stacey Bendet is a sophisticated brand with a playful sensibility, which epitomizes the personality and style of its founder, Stacey Bendet. The brand was born from Stacey’s personal quest to create a flattering pair of form-fitting pants, and has since grown into a full women’s ready to wear collection, including outerwear, dresses, and the perfect pants that started it all. In the spring of 2008, a children’s line was introduced which currently offers everything from sweaters to jumpers for little ladies. Stacey has also expanded into different categories with a Base Collection for the ultimate layering pieces to the Career Collection for a more modern working woman. In 2011, the alice + olivia by Stacey Bendet shoe line was launched and includes a wide variety of high-fashion yet affordable styles from leather knee-high boots to sparkly Mary Janes. Now a full lifestyle collection, the brand has become a Hollywood favorite with fans including Gwyneth Paltrow, Fergie, Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Lopez, Blake Lively, and Taylor Swift. alice + olivia by Stacey Bendet is available at the brand’s five free-standing boutiques in New York, Greenwich, Southampton, Los Angeles and Malibu, aliceandolivia.com, and at over 600 select department and specialty stores worldwide, including Saks, Neiman Marcus, Net-a-Porter.com, shopbop.com, Harvey Nichols, and Harrods.
SHOP AND TELL WITH STACEY!
1) What are you biggest pet-peeves in a person?
Fakeness and lying. There is nothing I appreciate more than truthfulness and honesty. I have a tatoo on my wrist that says SATYA in sanscript which means truthfulness. No patience for it. I just hit delete on my blackberry and say buh bye!
2) Best part about your job?
There are a lot of things that are amazing about what I do, my job is creative and fun and exciting….i love to design, I love to create product, I love what I do so I am happy every day. The never ending closet doesn’t suck either 
3) If there was a film being made about your life story, who would you want to play you?
Audrey Hepburn but she’s dead so…I guess my life story would be one hell of a reality show!
4) If you could live in any decade for fashion, which decade would it be?
70s no question! I am never happier than in a pair of great bell bottom pants and platform shoes!
5) What is your greatest extravagance?
If you asked my husband this question he would probably run out of space with his list!
I would have to say the entire room of my house that is now a closet….
6) How would your friends describe you?
Loyal, quirky, hardworking, energetic? Or petite, dark hair, big sunglasses, crazy pants and sky high shoes always?
7) Do you have any interesting talents?
I practice 4th series ashtanga yoga. I am not sure if that is interesting to people? But I can do a back bend or headstand and make my feet touch my head. this is one of those questions where you want to say cooking and list some fabulous pastry you can make. But not me. I tried to make pancakes for everyone yesterday morning and my baby nurse said they were the worst things she had ever tasted.. Ok, she didn’t SAY that but she took one bite and passed the pancake onto Eloise’s plate. sigh. So yoga, I guess its yoga.
8) What has been your biggest fashion faux-pas to date?
It depends who you ask!
9) Blackberry/iPhone?
Both.
10) Are you on Twitter? If so, what is your name?
@staceybendet and @alice_olivia
Yes, I love to pontificate and ramble in haiku-esque form so twitter has become a hobby. Can twitter be a hobby? I think so.
11) What is your most recent fashion purchase?
I bought a great YSL bright orange high waist belt the other day. I also bought this very random but very cool rubber bag from Furla. I had never been to Furla but I saw these neon rubber bags in the window and ran in and got one!
12) What was the last book you read?
Jill Kargman’s little short stories. But I am more of a magazine reader. I love magazines. All magazines. I could single handedly make sure that printed materials stay around another decade.
13) True or False? You can judge a book by its cover?
Well, it depends on the book.
14) Do you have a charity you work closely with?
BentOnLearning and Baby Buggy
15) On your day off you can be found doing what?
I don’t really take days off. My mind is always sort of going… And a lot of my hobbies are tied to design—-vintage shopping, flea markets ext….But on the weekends I spend all free time with Eric and my girls!
Gerard Yosca has been designing luxury fashion jewelry and developing his signature namesake brand for the past 25 years. Born and raised in New York, Gerard began making and selling his arts and crafts from his father’s popular butcher shop. As a student at the renowned Parsons School of Design, Gerard learned how to gather his separate talents into a single personal design philosophy. Upon graduation, he was invited back to teach. His strong ties to education and nurturing talent are still apparent–he is an ever-popular guest lecturer.
A trendsetter and innovator, Gerard is responsible for reintroducing vibrantly colored enamel to his industry, and starting the mania for painted butterfly and flower hair clips. The steadfast belief of seeing the “hand of the artist” is what continues to set him apart from his peers. One can still find Gerard sitting at the bench with his tools in hand, creating his original metal models. The Gerard Yosca Signature Collection is still developed, hand crafted and produced from his New York City studio. Blending metals, textures and luxury fabrics into his unique creations, helps define his design vision and singular style. Whether on a trip to Disney World; scouring flea markets around the world; sitting at his beach house watching the sunset or blasting music in his design studio, each collection is created with an inspired concept that is carried through to each and every idiosyncratic detail.
Gerard’s designs can be seen in the most prestigious magazines and has been worn by: Rashida Jones; Alicia Keys; Gwyneth Paltrow; Taylor Swift; Adele; Stacy London; Beyonce Knowles; Jennifer Aniston; Carrie Underwood; Selma Hayek; Reese Witherspoon; Jada Pinkett Smith; and Gwen Stefani.
Gerard Yosca is a long-standing member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), and sat on their Board of Directors for 12 years. He was nominated for Accessory Designer of the Year in 2005.
Gerard Yosca Jewelry is sold in specialty stores worldwide, from Henri Bendel in New York City, to Harvey Nichols in Hong Kong.
Shop and Tell With Gerard
What are you biggest pet-peeves in a person?
Cheapness. Don’t be stingy with your smile. Give a compliment. Spread a little sunshine.
Best part about your job?
All the creative stuff.
If there was a film being made about your life story, who would you want to play you?
Meryl Streep- let’s really give her a challenge.
If you could live in any decade for fashion, which decade would it be?
50’s- I love the proportion and the optimism.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Saint Maria Novella Potpourri- its so intoxicating it’s like tripping.
How would your friends describe you?
Big mouth- big heart!
Do you have any interesting talents?
I make a great Manhattan.
What has been your biggest fashion faux-pas to date?
White pants and black underwear but maybe I’m lying about this one.
Blackberry/iPhone?
iPhone. Everyone tells me I need a Blackberry for business but what do I know about business- I’m a jewelry designer!
Are you on Twitter? If so, what is your name?
Yes. @GerardYosca
What is your most recent fashion purchase?
Yellow socks with grey stripes. Looked like spring to me.
What was the last book you read?
Mirrors by Eduardo Galeano
True or False? You can judge a book by its cover?
False
Do you have a charity you work closely with?
We try to support organizations that are anti-bullying. No one should be allowed to make themselves feel good by making someone else feel bad.
On your day off you can be found doing what?
Going to the beach or waiting till it’s summer again.
Bradley Bayou
Fashion Designer & Author of The Science of Sexy
Bradley Bayou has gained widespread recognition for his many contributions to the fashion industry. As a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America he has received numerous industry honors, including “Mercedes-Benz Presents” Designer for Los Angeles Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios. The BRADLEY BAYOU, couture label is a favorite among celebrities and is available through his atelier in Beverly Hills. At Q.V.C, he has a very successful ready-to-wear namesake collection which he recently extended to include leather handbags. These philosophies are included in his first book “The Science of Sexy,” which was just released in Chinese.
Bradley’s fashion pieces have graced the covers and pages of many magazines and periodicals including Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Essence, Cosmopolitan, People, Town and Country, Entertainment Weekly, and In Style. He is also proud to be an ambassador for NEDA, National Eating Disorder Association, where he champions a campaign to promote healthy body images in the media and fashion industry. He addressed these issues as a guest speaker at Harvard Medical School and is currently working with the New York Department of Labor as a member of Child Performer Eating Disorders Prevention Advisory Board.
Bayou has been a featured designer and author for such television programs as The Oprah Winfrey Show, NBC Today Show, The Tyra Banks Show, Regis and Kelly, Entertainment Tonight, Extra, Access Hollywood, MTV’s House of Style, and VH1’s Fashion Television. He has been a semi-regular guest on The View and CBS Early Show as well as the Executive Producer and Host for Lifetime’s show Operation Style.
While he was the Creative Director and Head Designer for Halston, Bayou revived the label to its original stature as a world renowned brand. However, he is most known for his couture designs worn by many celebrities including Oprah Winfrey, Keira Knightley, Anne Hathaway, Lindsay Lohan, Halle Berry, Taraji Henson, Kristin Davis, Queen Latifah, Eva Longoria, Megan Fox, Selma Hayek, and Beyonce Knowles.
Bayou originally entered the business world as a real estate developer where he combined his entrepreneurial ability and love of architecture. Working with renowned architectural firms including Richard Meier, O’Neal Ford, Angelo Donghia and Architectonica, he prosperously guided major projects to completion.
A Texas native, Bayou graduated from Phillips Andover Academy as well as the University of Texas and has subsequently earned an M.B.A. from Southern Methodist University. Pursuing his life-long passion of fine art, he has also studied at the prestigious Skowenhgan and Corcoran schools of painting and sculpture. His art work has been featured in galleries all over the country.
Shop & Tell with Bradley
What are you biggest pet-peeves in a person?
Tardiness
Best part about your job?
Ability to help people… I love that I am able to help people feel better about them self and possibly make a positive influence on their life through fashion. I am so lucky to be able to love what I do and get paid for it.
If there was a film being made about your life story, who would you want to play you?
Oh…. I don’t know – Vin Diesel?
If you could live in any decade for fashion, which decade would it be?
Post WWII – the era of “The New Look”
What is your greatest extravagance?
Buying art
How would your friends describe you?
Creative and wise
Do you have any interesting talents?
Painting
What has been your biggest fashion faux-pas to date?
Too conservative to make a fashion faux-pas…I know, kinda boring.
Blackberry/iPhone?
iPhone and iPad
Are you on Twitter? If so, what is your name?
Yes, @bradleybayou
What is your most recent fashion purchase?
Blue jeans from Target
What was the last book you read?
Life by Keith Richards
True or False? You can judge a book by its cover?
False
Do you have a charity you work closely with?
NEDA, National Eating Disorders Association; an organization that understands eating disorders and helps not only those suffering from the disease, but also those who love someone suffering from the disease.
On your day off you can be found doing what?
Sleeping or going to museums
JAY GODFREY
New York-based designer Jay Godfrey is the founder and creative director behind his eponymous collection of sleek, sexy and sophisticated designs. Perpetually inspired by the chic New York woman, Godfrey’s goal as a designer is to meld the classic tailoring techniques of Savile Row with modern silhouettes and luxurious fabrics. The result is his distinctive contemporary collection of dresses and separates that accentuate the female figure.
Godfrey realized his dream of becoming a designer while working his first summer job at Hugo Boss. He studied finance at Montreal’s McGill University in order to gain a grounding in business and accounting. Upon graduating, Godfrey headed to Wall Street and worked for Citigroup. While learning the finer points of finance, Jay’s goal of designing a collection led him to Parsons School of Design. An internship with Oscar de la Renta fine-tuned the young designer’s style and technique, and helped him determine the ultimate Jay Godfrey woman.
Since opening his business in 2005, Godfrey has quickly cultivated his signature aesthetic which perfectly lends itself to the fashion-forward and glamorous woman. The collection has caught the media’s attention and has been featured in WWD, ELLE, Cosmopolitan and the New York Post. Godfrey’s designs have also captured a loyal celebrity following and he is proud to have dressed Megan Fox, Eva Mendes, Jennifer Lopez, Kate Walsh, Taylor Swift, Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Eva Longoria Parker, Angie Harmon, Zoe Saldana, Ali Larter, Carrie Underwood, Hayden Panettiere, Eve, Zoe Kravitz, and Kim Kardashian to name a few.
Parsons The New School for Design presented the designer with the 2008 Parsons Alumni Achievement Award in recognition of his talent and recent accomplishments; in addition Godfrey appeared on America’s Next Top Model as a special guest designer, where he had the honor of dressing the contestants for a red carpet event.
For Spring 2011, Godfrey launched a new collection of sexy and fashion forward tops called REDACTED by Jay Godfrey. The collection will begin to hit stores in February 2011. All styles in REDACTED by Jay Godfrey are priced under $200 at retail.
Jay Godfrey is sold in Intermix, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Harvey Nichols Hong Kong and Holt Renfrew as well as numerous luxury boutiques worldwide.
Shop & Tell with JAY
1) What are you biggest pet-peeves in a person?
I don’t like jealous people or people that are show-offs. Things ALWAYS speak for themselves so there’s really no need to show-off.
2) Best part about your job?
Having the opportunity to create beautiful things every day and make women feel great.
3) If there was a film being made about your life story, who would you want to play you?
Bill Cosby
4) If you could live in any decade for fashion, which decade would it be?
1970s for sure. Would have love to hang with Halston at Studio 54.
5) What is your greatest extravagance?
FOOD. By far my biggest expense. I live to eat, not eat to live.
6) How would your friends describe you?
Sarcastic, silly, and loyal
7) Do you have any interesting talents?
Depends on who you ask. But there are plenty of dissenting opinions out there and I welcome their opinions and feedback!
8) What has been your biggest fashion faux-pas to date?
My fly was undone the entire day last Thursday.
9) Blackberry/iPhone?
Just switched to an iPhone!
10) Are you on Twitter? If so, what is your name?
YUP! @jay_godfrey
12) What was the last book you read?
LIFE by Keith Richards. Loved it.
13) True or False? You can judge a book by its cover?
True.
14) Do you have a charity you work closely with?
Yes. My mother started a children’s charity called the Herbie Fund (http://www.herbiefund.com/). They raise money to help children in need travel from foreign countries to Toronto, Canada (where I am originally from) for life saving surgery that they otherwise couldn’t get in their home country. What started out as one child from NYC (where I live now) in need of urgent medical care has turned into saving the lives of over 600 children from over 100 countries.
15) On your day off you can be found doing what?
Going to lunch with my wife and baby girl, Allegra
SUNHEE GRINNELL
SunHee Grinnell is the Beauty Director at Vanity Fair magazine. As a 21 year veteran at V.F., she started out as an assistant to the Art and Design Director and rose over the years to Senior Photography Editor, to Beauty and Photography Editor and finally, to her current position.
SunHee went to the High School of Art & Design in Manhattan, and later earned her B.A. in her first love, photography, at Parsons School of Design. Today, SunHee feels lucky enough to have worked with such world-renowned photographers as Helmut Newton (who has photographed SunHee for his very famous “Big Nude” series) and Herb Ritts, and has worked on a regular basis with the equally talented photographers such as Bruce Weber, Mario Testino, Norman Jean Roy, Mary Ellen Mark, Mark Seliger and many others at Vanity Fair. Eight years ago, the Editor-in-Chief of Vanity Fair, Graydon Carter, personally appointed SunHee to be the magazine’s first editor to cover beauty for V.F. After seven years of dual duty, producing cover shoots and covering the beauty market, SunHee was named Beauty Director in 2008 to fully dedicate herself to the beauty category. In her position at the magazine, SunHee directs all editorial beauty content, which includes her monthly beauty page, pairing cosmetic companies with VF’s glamorous cover subjects, directs all beauty credits along with her extended beauty coverage on her beauty blog, on VF.COM
She resides in Brooklyn with her husband, artist/entrepreneur Toland Grinnell and their son, Roman.
Shop & Tell with SunHee (Aka Sunny)
1) What are you biggest pet-peeves in a person?
When they are being cheap…
2) Best part about your job?
I get to try all new beauty products, spas and more, then I get to write about them on my beauty blog!
http://www.vanityfair.com/online/beauty/
3) If there was a film being made about your life story, who would you want to play you?
Ideally, Meryl Streep, but I think that’s a tough call….I’ll settle for Maggie Q.
4) If you could live in any decade for fashion, which decade would it be?
Now. Because it’s about really about mixing high’s and low’s where one can make bold statements with their individuality.
5) What is your greatest extravagance?
When I go on a shopping frenzy just because I’m in the mood! Bad….
6) How would your friends describe you?
Happy and glamorous, but also very down to earth.
7) Do you have any interesting talents?
I snowboard! And I can play a mean game of Table Tennis. It’s in my blood, I’m Korean.
8) What has been your biggest fashion faux-pas to date?
I’d like to forget, if that’s okay….
9) Blackberry/iPhone?
Definitely iPhone 4G (and iPad)!
10) Are you on Twitter? If so, what is your name?
Yes. @VFBeauty
11) What is your most recent fashion purchase?
A pair of Yves Saint Laurent shoes and a Maison Martin Margiela dress.
12) What was the last book you read?
I didn’t finish my last book….but I just picked up, Aloft by William Langewiesche. He’s a pilot and it’s about his experience while flying his own charter plane and being up in the sky alone.
13) True or False? You can judge a book by its cover?
False.
14) Do you have a charity you work closely with?
Yes, New York Center for Children – it’s a small but a wonderful charity organization that provides a child-friendly environment to abused children. It is a free clinic providing assessment and therapy services to victims of child abuse. Each child receives a thorough physical examination from a medical expert, and sensitive interview and crisis counseling from specially trained social workers and psychologists. And they can always use more funding, especially in this economy….
http://www.newyorkcenterforchildren.org
15) On your day off you can be found doing what?
Scouting a high-end spa if not, getting a manicure and a pedicure at a local Dashing Diva.
KATE DIMMOCK
Kate Dimmock grew up in New Canaan Connecticut, her mom was a housewife and her dad worked in Manhattan at the agency “Mad Men” is based on. She attended Hamilton College and moved New York shortly after graduation.
She started her career in the accessories department at Elle in the late 80’s. From Elle she was Accessories Editor at Self before free lancing for a few years as as stylist working for Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair and other publications. She was part of the launch team of American Marie Claire. From there she went to Mademoiselle and eventually back to Marie Claire as Market Director. She was Fashion Director of Shop Etc which unfortunately folded in 2006. After contributing to InStyle for a year she landed as Fashion Director of Town&Country. She left there a year ago to join the rapidly growing People StyleWatch to be their first Fashion Director. She’s also styled several celebrities including Jessica Lange, Hilary Swank and Jane Krakowski.
Kate lives in West Chelsea with her husband and four year old daughter Molly.
SHOP and TELL with KATE DIMMOCK
1) What are you biggest pet-peeves in a person?
-people who talk about themselves beyond the point of being interesting.
2) Best part about your job?-The goods!!
I am a passionate shopper and I live to find a deal. I love that I can now put this otherwise futile pursuit to good use and share my expertise with the world!!
3) If there was a film being made about your life story, who would you want to play you?
-Obviously Gwyneth will beg for the role. If she can prove her comedy chops the way she has with singing we might just have to give it to her.
4) If you could live in any decade for fashion, which decade would it be?
-I know I’m supposed to say the forties or the seventies but I like the twenties. I think the flappers are under-rated. They really used fashion to liberate themselves. The first unrestricted dresses, bobbed hair, it’s really an interesting time in that regard.
5) What is your greatest extravagance?
-Tulum Mexico and Dr Steven Victor.
6) Blackberry/iPhone?
-Blackberry. I know, old school but I email so much. But I’m having an affair with my Ipad.
7) What is your most recent fashion purchase?
-Top Shop, navy and white striped sweater, perfect for high-waisted flare jeans. If you feel how I feel about Top Shop please go to iwanttobeanalt.com and watch the interview with Emmanuelle Alt when she talks about how much she loves their jeans.. Genius..
What was the last book you read?
-Patty Smith, “Just Kids”. LOVE!
9) True or False? You can judge a book by its cover?
-I once got out of jury duty by telling the lawyer of a highly tattooed, gold toothed defendant that I worked in fashion and would therefore judge his client based on his wardrobe choices. So yeah, if you decide to present yourself to the world in a certain way I will most likely take it into consideration.
10) On your day off you can be found doing what
-Pretty much whatever makes my four year old daughter happy…
Kate Betts
Kate Betts is a contributing editor at TIME magazine where she has written about the worlds of style and design since 2003. Betts is also a columnist at The Daily Beast. Until this year she was also the editor of TIME Style & Design, a special issue published six times a year in the United States, Europe and Asia.
Previously, Betts was the editor in chief of Harper’s Bazaar from June 1999 to June 2001, where she completely redesigned the 134-year-old fashion title. She moved to Bazaar from Vogue, where she was the fashion news director from 1991 to 1999. At Vogue, Betts was responsible for developing and producing all fashion features, including runway reports, designer profiles and popular culture stories. She was editor of many of the magazine’s most popular sections, including “Vogue’s View” and “Vogue’s Index,” a special shopping section that she created in 1995.
Betts was also a reporter for and later the bureau chief of the Paris office of Fairchild Publications from 1988 to 1991. In Paris she managed daily trade newspaper Women’s Wear Daily and W and M magazines. She also helped to conceive and launch W Europe. From 1986 to 1988, she held various positions including Paris editor of Metropolitan Home and jobs at the International Herald Tribune and European Travel & Life.
Betts was recently named one of the top 10 fashion editors by Forbes magazine. She has appeared on network and cable television regularly since 1993 including shows such as The Charlie Rose Show, The View, The Today Show, Good Morning America, Power Lunch, and NPR’s Marketplace. She reports regularly for CNN, covering fashion shows in New York, Paris, and Milan. She was the subject of a Lifetime documentary, Putting Baby to Bed: Wife, Mother, and Editor in Chief, about her experience as the youngest editor ever to take over a fashion magazine.
Betts is the author of the book Everyday Icon: Michelle Obama and the Power of Style. A graduate of Princeton University, she resides in New York with her husband and two children.
MARY ALICE STEPHENSON IS ONE OF THE WORLDS MOST SOUGHT AFTER FASHION AND BEAUTY EXPERTS. SHE SERVES AS STYLE EXPERT AND TREND-CASTER FOR MANY NETWORKS AND SHOWS, INCLUDING: ABC’S GOOD MORNING AMERICA, CBS’S EARLY SHOW, OPRAH, CNN, AND FOX. THROUGHOUT HER 20-YEAR CAREER, STEPHENSON HAS WORKED AT LEGENDARY FASHION MAGAZINES INCLUDING VOGUE, ALLURE, MARIE CLAIRE AND HARPER’S BAZAAR.
STEPHENSON HAS WORKED WITH AND STYLED HOLLYWOOD’S MOST FASHIONABLE CELEBRITIES INCLUDING, JENNIFER LOPEZ, SARAH JESSICA PARKER, HALLE BERRY, BEYONCÉ, RENÉE ZELLWEGER, DREW BARRYMORE, NICOLE KIDMAN, CATE BLANCHET, SCARLETT JOHANSSON, JENNIFER ANISTON, AND FIRST LADY, MICHELLE OBAMA.
IN 2004, STEPHENSON LAUNCHED A CONSULTING FIRM WHERE SHE OFFERS A VARIETY OF CREATIVE SERVICES INCLUDING STYLING, CREATIVE DIRECTING AND COMMENTATING FOR GLOBAL BRANDS AND MEDIA OUTLETS. SHE RECENTLY BECAME THE CONSULTING STYLE DIRECTOR FOR USA NETWORKS AND STYLE ADVISOR TO THE DISTINGUISHED BRANDS, TALBOTS AND SALLY HANSEN.
STEPHENSON CURRENTLY SERVES AS CONTRIBUTING FASHION EDITOR AT HARPER’S BAZAAR. SHE IS ALSO THE NATIONAL FASHION AMBASSADOR FOR THE MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION AND FREE ARTS NYC.
Shop & Tell With Mary Alice
1) What are you biggest pet-peeves in a person?
A BAD ATTITUDE. NOTHING LOOKS GOOD ON A BITCH!
2) Best part about your job?
EVERYTHING
3) If there was a film being made about your life story, who would you want to play you?
JIM CARREY IN DRAG
4) If you could live in any decade for fashion, which decade would it be?
RIGHT NOW
5) What is your greatest extravagance?
LANVIN
6) How would your friends describe you?
GLAMOUROUS, BOLD AND BIG HEARTED!
7) Do you have any interesting talents?
I’M A CHAMPION SOFTBALL PLAYER, CAN TOUCH MY TONGUE TO MY NOSE AND HAVE SOME SERIOUS MOVES ON THE DANCE FLOOR!
8) What has been your biggest fashion faux-pas to date?
I TRY TO HAVE A FEW EVERYDAY. FASHION’S NOT SO INTERESTING IF YOU ALWAYS PLAY BY THE RULES!
9) Blackberry/iPhone?
BOTH
10) Are you on Twitter? If so, what is your name?
@MARYALICESTYLE
11) What is your most recent fashion purchase?
THE CHICEST DIAMOND RING FROM GENEVIEVE JONES.
12) What was the last book you read?
WISH I HAD THE TIME TO READ A BOOK! ASK ME NEXT YEAR!!!
13) True or False? You can judge a book by its cover?
FALSE
14) Do you have a charity you work closely with?
I’M THE NATIONAL FASHION AMBASSADOR FOR THE MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION AND AN AMBASSADOR FOR FREEARTS NYC
15) On your day off you can be found doing what?
TAKING MY 5 YEAR OLD SON ON AN AMAZING ADVENTURE!
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MARJORIE GUBELMANN
Marjorie Gubelmann is the Founder and CEO of Vie Luxe, the global home fragrance brand sold in over 1500 of the world’s most prestigious shops, apothecaries, and hotels. Established in 2004, the Vie Luxe home and bath collections are based on many of Marjorie’s favorite travel destinations with each scent a nod to a treasured memory or exotic escape. The collection includes Palm Beach, Sardinia, St. Barth’s and Buenos Aires where Marjorie has lived, visited and entertained.
Marjorie has lived in London, Paris, and Newport; she currently resides in New York, Palm Beach and Southampton with her son, Cyrus.
SHOP AND TELL WITH MARJORIE
1) What are you biggest pet-peeves in a person?
Not doing what they say they are going to do. Your word is all you have in life.
2) Best part about your job?
I wake up every day doing what I love, and thinking of new things that I enjoy that I can bring to our customer.
3) If you could live in any decade for fashion, which decade would it be?
The 50s. Clean classic lines and flattering elegant looks you can’t go wrong and it is timeless.
4) What is your greatest extravagance?
Blow drys.. When hair looks good, I feel good and I can’t ever do it the way a salon does it!
5) How would your friends describe you?
Reliable, honest, funny
6) Do you have any interesting talents?
My father was a race car driver so I can ride dirt and road motorcycles and of course stick shift cars!
7) What has been your biggest fashion faux-pas to date?
Oohh in the 90s I wore a lot of Versace medusa head beaded numbers with curly poufy hair.. I cringe at the photographs.
8) Blackberry/iPhone?
blackberry
9) Are you on Twitter? If so, what is your name?
@VieLuxe
10) What is your most recent fashion purchase?
Talbot Runhof taffeta dress in purple.
11) What was the last book you read?
If you knew Suzy by Katie Rosman
12) True or False? You can judge a book by its cover?
False
13) Do you have a charity you work closely with?
Women in Need. Our Vie Luxe Blanc candle benefits them. The empower women in abusive relationships by giving them and their children shelter and the tools to get a job and away from their previous situation.
14) On your day off you can be found doing what?
Going to Serafina with my son, laughing with friends or watching one of the Real Housewives shows on Bravo.
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Jonathan Adler
Seventeen years ago, a little-known potter named Jonathan Adler was thrilled to receive his first order from Barneys New York. He couldn’t have dreamed that today, in 2011, he would lead an international design company offering decorative accessories, tabletop collections, bedding, furniture, rugs, pillows, lighting, and fabrics, all featuring Jonathan’s signature Modernist forms, bold colors and groovy graphics. Jonathan is obsessed with creating beautiful design mixed with impeccable craftsmanship. His motto is “If your heirs won’t fight over it, we won’t make it.”
Jonathan Adler has thirteen stores nationwide, a thriving website and a wholesale business boasting more than 1,000 locations around the world. Jonathan is also a highly sought-after interior designer working on luxury residential projects and commercial projects including the celebrity hot spot Parker Palm Springs Hotel.
Jonathan has partnered with many companies to design products including Starbucks, 7 For All Mankind, Lifeguard Stationery, Steuben, Larson Juhl, Robert Abbey Lighting, and HSN. In 2009, Jonathan was tapped to design the retro-glam interior for the “real” Malibu Dream House for Barbie’s® 50th Anniversary. And Jonathan was the lead judge on the Bravo TV series Top Design.
In 2005 Jonathan published his first book, My Prescription for Anti-Depressive Living. In 2010
Jonathan launched a new book series with two books: Jonathan Adler on Happy Chic Colors
and Jonathan Adler on Happy Chic Accessorizing.
Shop and Tell with J.A.!
1) What are you biggest pet-peeves in a person?
Pretentiousness, name-dropping, and lack of curiosity.
2) Best part about your job
The best part of my job is the fact that it never feels like a job! I get paid to make all the stuff I want for my home. It’s heaven.
3) If you could live in any decade for fashion, which decade would it be?
1960s, obvs. Such a zippy and fun time for clothes. Mod mod mod!
4) What are your vices?
Apple pie and cookies. I don’t drink or smoke or take drugs, but I do like my baked goods.
5) How would your friends describe you?
Hungry.
6) If you could meet anyone from history, who would it be?
I’m a big fan of good old Winston Churchill as he kinda’ saved the free world and all.
7) Do you have any interesting talents?
I can talk backwards and I am a fantastic ping pong player.
8) What are the 4 items you never leave without in your purse?
My murse always contains my Ray Ban Aviators, my ipod, 17 tubes of chapstick, and copious lint.
9) Who or what are your biggest influences to your personal style?
I love how Dustin Hoffman looked in The Graduate. And Steve McQueen wasn’t so bad either.
10) What has been your biggest fashion faux-pas to date?
There was no shortage of teal pleated pants in rotation in the 80s.
11) Blackberry/iPhone?
Blackberry. I had an iphone for 2 days and it was the most traumatic and disorienting experience of my life!
12) What quality do you like most about yourself?
I am very simple and straightforward.
13) Are you on Twitter? If so, what is your name?
@jonathanadler
14) What is your most recent fashion purchase?
A French Military sweater by Saint James from Barneys New York.
15) On your day off you can be found doing what?
Frolicking on Shelter Island with my bloke and our pooch.
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Nina Runsdorf, Jewelry designer
Nina Runsdorf has loved designing jewelry since the age of 12 when she and her sister soldered silver bracelets and rings at the kitchen table of her family’s home in upstate New York. Later, Nina Runsdorf moved back to her native Manhattan to take on the fashion industry while continuing to create jewelry for personal use. After holding positions at Ralph Lauren, Banana Republic as accessories director and Wathne as fashion director, Nina Runsdorf returned to her true passion – designing jewelry. She delved into the fine jewelry realm at Runsdorf Inc., the venerable diamond jewelry firm owned by her father-in-law, Lee Runsdorf, whose family’s roots in the diamond trade go back several generations. While there, Runsdorf honed her jewelry design skills and in spring 2005 she launched her eponymous collection. Working at first with only private clients, soon the demand for her jewelry was so great that she began to sell her collection in stores across the country.
Runsdorf is the forerunner who pioneered Slice Diamonds ™, a technique in which large stones are cut into paper-thin slices revealing their natural beauty. On an inspiration trip to Mumbai, she discovered the understated and organic beauty of sliced stones and spent nearly a year developing cutting techniques to create slices of colored precious gemstones such as rubies, star sapphires and even emeralds, which are known to be a soft, fragile stone. Once considered waste material within the jewelry industry, Nina’s gemstone slices soon caught on and became a huge trend, creating increased demand and less availability of stones. The look is less sparkly than a traditionally cut and polished stone, a characteristic that bodes well for the NSR client whose approach to fashion is sophisticated yet understated.
1) Best part about your job?
Learning, it is an education.
2) If there was a film being made about your life story, who would you want to play you?
All Kates – Hepburn, Blanchett, Winslet.
3) If you could live in any decade for fashion, which decade would it be.
All, different situations require different eras.
4) What is your greatest extravagance?
Where do we begin, only kidding… Travel
5) How would your friends describe you?
Honest, loyal, …
6) Do you have any interesting talents
I hope so…
7) What has been your biggest fashion faux-pas to date?
You need to find one!
8) Blackberry/iPhone?
Blackberry
9) Are you on Twitter? If so, what is your name?
No
10) What is your most recent fashion purchase?
All Lanvin: a green silk dress, a sequin nude evening bag and fantastic snakeskin wedges!!
11) What was the last book you read?
The Four Agreements
12) True or False? You can judge a book by its cover?
False
13) Do you have a charity you work closely with?
I work with Human Rights Watch.
14) On your day off you can be found doing what?
Chores… they make you humble.
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Kirna is Sarah Easley’s nickname. Zabete is Beth Buccini’s. Sarah worked in luxury wholesale Fashion for Christian Dior, Christian Lacroix and Ines de la Fressange. Beth was a Fashion Editor at Mirabella and New York Magazines. Best friends since college, they always wanted to create a retail concept to launch the best Fashion designers of today and tomorrow. Beth and Sarah select every item sold at Kirna Zabete in a personal endeavor to inspire every client who walks though the door.
Still having fun after 11 years.
Shop and Tell with Sarah and Beth:
1) What are you biggest pet-peeves in a person?
Sarah: lack of flexibility
Beth: LACK OF MANNERS!
2) Best part about your job?
Sarah: late dinners in Paris with Beth
Beth: WORKING WITH MY BEST FRIEND EVERY DAY. BEING PASSIONATE ABOUT FASHION (STILL!). PARIS.
3) If there was a film being made about your life story, who would you want to play you?
Sarah: Natalie Portman of course. We look so similar in my fantasy world
Beth: IN MY PAST- 20′S CAREY MULLIGAN, IN MY CURRENT 30′S MAGGIE GYLENNHALL, IN MY FUTURE 40′S KRISTEN SCOTT THOMAS
4) If you could live in any decade for fashion, which decade would it be?
Sarah: 70s in Southern California
Beth: ANY DECADE BUT THE 60′S. BESIDES THAT TIME PERIOD- I LOVE THE CONSTANT CHANGE AND EVOLUTION OF FASHION
5) What is your greatest extravagance?
Sarah: waking up without an alarm
Beth: TRACY ANDERSON
6) How would your friends describe you?
Sarah on Beth
thoughtful
patient
immaculate
brilliant
laughs at my jokes even if she’s heard them before
speaks a silent language that only the 2 of us know
makes me a better, happier person every day
so inspiring I pretend she is my boss and I work harder for her
SISTER I have always wanted
Beth on Sarah
absolutely hilarious
loyal til the end
the sister I never had
Beautiful inside and out
F.U.N
7) Do you have any interesting talents?
Sarah: I have interesting pursuits but I am not necessarily talented in them (Hip hop dancing for example)
Beth: HORSEBACK RIDING.
8) What has been your biggest fashion faux-pas to date?
Sarah: I had a really nice look going for a runway show during New York Fashion week, it started raining and I had to ruin the whole thing with a bright pink DORA THE EXPLORER umbrella. (all I had in my purse) Might have worked in Tokyo but was not very grown-up polished for NYC.
Beth: JAPANESE FASHION BANGS IN THE LATE 20′S- HUSBAND STILL TALKS ABOUT HOW MUCH HE HATED “THE ARC”
9) Blackberry/iPhone?
Sarah: i phone
Beth: I-PHONE- I’M FULL ON MAC
10) Are you on Twitter? If so, what is your name?
Both: @kirnazabete but Sarah adds: please follow me and I will try to be amusing.
11) What is your most recent fashion purchase?
Sarah: Bright red, patent Nicholas Kirkwood heels. ELise Overland pom pom poncho with leather trim, The next will be a big silver lace Aurelie Biderman cuff bracelet. I also love pieces by Anndra Neen! Should I go on?
Beth: PROENZA SCHOULER BAJA
12) What was the last book you read?
Sarah: JUST KIDS by Patti Smith
Beth: HAROLD AND THE PURPLE CRAYON LAST NIGHT! HAH! GROWN UP BOOK- CURRENTLY READING “THE OTHER WES MOORE”
13) True or False? You can judge a book by its cover?
Sarah: Usually true. But I am intuitive! Instantly seeing beyond the cover.
Beth: FALSE
14) Do you have a charity you work closely with?
BOTH: Baby Buggy
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Robert Verdi
Robert Verdi is a leading lifestyle expert, celebrity stylist and television personality. Verdi stands alone as the sole style expert to bridge all-three major categories: fashion, entertaining and home design and is the go-to guru for celebrities including Eva Longoria and Tony Parker, Bethenny Frankel, Kathy Griffin and Hugh Jackman. Famous for both his wit & wisdom, Verdi has become one of the most highly recognizable faces in the world of fashion and design today with credits including starring roles on his very own network show The Robert Verdi Show Starring Robert Verdi, as judge on TV Land’s Sheʼs Got The Look and host of network hits like Surprise by Design, Full Frontal Fashion, Fashion Police and E! Entertainment News Red Carpet. Verdi is in high-demand for frequent segments on The View, Regis & Kelly, The Today Show, Martha Stewart, CNN and cameo film roles in The Devil Wears Prada and The September Issue. Verdi makes waves in the media as both subject & contributor, profiled on the cover of The New York Times Style Section and by publications such us The Daily, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Post and oft featured in major publications & weeklies like OK! Magazine, Life&Style, US Weekly, InStyle.
Shop and Tell with Robert!
1) What are you biggest pet-peeves in a person?
lazyness
2) Best part about your job?
autonomy
3) If there was a film being made about your life story, who would you want to play you?
Tyson Beckford or Denzel.
4) If you could live in any decade for fashion, which decade would it be?
The 1950s – matching gloves and shoes people are so glamourous and scandulous.
5) What is your greatest extravagance?
art
6) How would your friends describe you?
provocative
7) Do you have any interesting talents?
I can play the piano in my head
8) What has been your biggest fashion faux-pas to date?
Leg warmers when I was near 40. (And I would do it again!)
9) Blackberry/iPhone?
iPad
10) Are you on Twitter? Of course! If so, what is your name?
@RobertVerdi
11) What is your most recent fashion purchase?
Thom Browne, a girl can never have too many coats!
12) What was the last book you read? With or without words?
… Nickeled and Dimed
13) True or False? You can judge a book by its cover?
True
14) Do you have a charity you work closely with?
I do. I have several including Cancer Vixen, Hetrick Martin Institute, Dress for Success and Housing Works.
15) On your day off you can be found doing what?
Working!
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Pamela Pekerman
Pamela Pekerman is a premier accessory and style expert reaching millions of women via her TV appearances, website, and social media platforms. Pamela has appeared on VH1’s The Fabulous Life and morning/daytime shows on all the major networks from NBC in Miami to CW in New York to FOX in Grand Rapids. She’s a regular accessories correspondent for BETTER TV and ABC NEWS NOW sharing style tips on a budget and scoop on the latest trends. With her trademark whit, smile and relatable personality, Pamela appeared as a handbag style expert for the Home Shopping Network, where her trusted opinions sold over a million dollars worth of merchandise in just one night. Through her company, Psquared Productions, Pamela has worked on projects ranging from styling, event hosting and editorial. She is an on-air spokesperson for off-priced retailers TJ Maxx and Marshalls and a contributing accessories columnist for AOL’s StyleList.com. Her insight on fashion accessories and entrepreneurship are often quoted in such diverse outlets as Life & Style, SUCCESS for Women and Wall Street Journal. An accessories addict with a particular penchant for purses, she launched BagTrends.com in 2005 – the first online magazine devoted to handbags – while serving as the New York correspondent and trend forecaster for the World Shoe and Accessories Show. As an event MC, Pamela has worked with a diverse clientele including MCM, AMEX, Simon Property Malls, Samantha Thavasa, The Plaza Hotel, Dasha Wellness Spa and LaLucca. A regular on the Red Carpet, Pamela is as comfortable interviewing fashion personalities like Marc Jacobs, Zac Posen, and Kimora Lee, as she is in sharing her down-to-earth fashion advice with women across the country. She holds a magna cum laude journalism degree for New York University and is devoted to her charity, the Ilya Peckerman Fund which benefits the Vasculitis Foundation. Pamela lives in New York with my husband, a man who actually encourages her to indulge in famous red soles.
1) What are your biggest pet-peeves in a person?
I can’t stand someone who is fake, which I can usually read in 10 minutes, and also someone who is all about the take without the give. In life, both personal and professional, it’s always best to give first and give genuinely because the other person will remember that down the line if you should need a “take”.
2) Best part about your job?
The best part about being independently employed is the control. My successes are directly linked back to me. There is no room for passing the buck, and I thrive under that type of pressure. I also love having flexibility and imagine that once I’m a mother that will be even more appealing. On the flip side, because it’s all on me, I can’t be too flexible or I’ll flex myself out of key opportunities. So, it’s balance.
3) If there was a film being made about your life story, who would you want to play you?
I’m a huge Natalie Portman fan – brains and beauty, she has it all. But, I think I would probably get Christina RIcci, because I’ve been told we look a like.
4) What is your greatest extravagance?
Jewelry – fabulous, decadent, precious jewelry. I’m not big on costume jewelry unless it’s super spectacular. I’m a sucker for a cocktail ring and I’m growing a little collection of baubles. Here’s hoping I’ll have girls some day!
5) How would your friends describe you?
Ambitious, funny, and loyal.
7) Do you have any interesting talents?
Backwards pretzel – it’s legendary. I will not elaborate, but I used to take gymnastics with strict Russian trainers and the body just doesn’t forget certain things.
8) What has been your biggest fashion faux-pas to date?
There was a moment in the late 90s when I wore those mesh, see-through tops. What a hot, over-exposed, unsophisticated mess!
9) Blackberry/iPhone?
Blackberry.
10) Are you on Twitter?
If so, what is your name? Yes. @PamelaPekerman (I’ve had some complaints that my name took up too many characters. Sorry! My married name is even longer!)
11) What is your most recent fashion purchase?
A faux fur vest from TJ Maxx that looks and feels real. It was $39, which I love. I also pre-ordered a fabulous straw hat from ECHO after a market appointment. It comes out for spring, but I can’t wait to get it this month and sport it on my trip to Cabo.
12) What was the last book you read?
Eat. Pray Love.
13) True or False? You can judge a book by its cover?
Well, you can at least get a pretty good sense for the contents!
14) Do you have a charity you work closely with?
My family launched the Ilya Peckerman Fund benefiting the Vasuclits Foundation in May of 2010. It’s in honor of my wonderful, late father who passed in December 2009 for Wegeners Disease. We are raising money to fund new research projects and help educate primary care physicians on this group of rare, orphan disease. To make a donation to our fund visit: http://www.vasculitisfoundation.org/news/2010/05/10/ilya-peckerman-fund-benefits-vf-research-program. A Shop for Vasculitis campaign will kick off in 2011 with several amazing fashion brands already on board!
15) On your day off you can be found doing what?
Cuddling with my husband on the couch – I love our new home, it feels like a spa! Or, we could be out at night with friend dancing at Son Cubano. We love Latin music and dancing.
16) If you could live in any decade for fashion, which decade would it be?
I’m obsessed with gloves, hats and poodle skirts. The iconic, 1950’s, polished housewife look is so me.
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Lisa Perry
I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago with a Marimekko filled bedroom, a Saarinen filled living room and two-tone shag carpet everywhere and i mean everywhere!
My mom loved caftans and my cool beatnik dad was doing drip paintings in the basement whenever he found the time.
I have fond memories of a childhood surrounded by great design, colorful fashion and beautiful art. Additionally my family owned a textile business and designed fabric so it was no surprise when i told my parents that i wanted to go to the fashion institute of technology in New York City. This was a wonderful learning experience plus i fell in love with a very exciting city which would become my new home.
My love of the 1960s genre came from my appreciation of the great design created in this era. I studied the fashion, art, architecture and furniture and became enamored with it all. i love the clean minimal lines, geometric shapes, bright colors and timeless nature of this aesthetic. It is also happy, fun and whimsical which many people say matches my personality!
I became a passionate collector of vintage couture fashion from the late 1960s and early 70s and it was really all i wore for 10 years before starting my own business.
The business idea sprang from people’s positive reaction to my style. There is something about this very chic, modern, fun look that people respond to. i believed I could create a collection that was modern and timeless inspired by this great period of design but changing it just enough so it looks very fresh and feels very today.
The look centers on dresses but also has jackets, pants, tops and plenty of coats. I love coats.
The collection is very focused and we are known for having a strong brand “dna” which is really hard to achieve so we are very proud of that. When you see a “Lisa Perry” you know it and that makes us all smile
Today we have one retail location on Madison Avenue in New York City. It is a lifestyle store filled with our clothing collection as well as shoes, accessories and home products.
We also hand pick special gift items that we feel fit our look. Come visit…you will be HAPPY you did!
SHOP and TELL with LISA:
1) What are you biggest pet-peeves in a person?
when people call other people fat and stupid. I hate that!
2) Best part about your job
I love to work on the selling floor and interact with our happy customers.
3) If you could live in any decade for fashion, which decade would it be?
1960’s. I love the clean, geometric shapes and bright colors!
4) What are your vices?
sweets ! I love Candy!
5) How would your friends describe you?
compassionate, happy, energetic, stylish and fun!
6) If you could meet anyone from history, who would it be?
I know it sounds cliche but it is definitely Audrey Hepburn. i want to spend an afternoon with her trying dresses on at my store on Madison Avenue.
7) Do you have any interesting talents?
I love to sing! Joni Mitchel l to Jay Z, I love it all!
8) What are the 4 items you never leave without in your purse?
Lip Balm, Shiseido sunscreen compact, hairspray, and of course money!
9) Who or what are your biggest influences to your personal style?
1960’s, vintage couture designers are the biggest influence on my personal style. I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago with Marimekko in my bedroom; a Saarinen filled living room and a two-tone orange shag in our family room. my mom favored caftans and dad was doing drip paintings in our basement. My family’s textile business was also a major influence in my life. I have fond memories of a childhood filled with a focus on fashion, art and design.
10) What has been your biggest fashion faux-pas to date?
I cant think of one! Sorry
11) Blackberry/iPhone?
Both!
12) What quality do you like most about yourself?
that I am a compassionate person
13) Are you on Twitter? If so, what is your name?
yes, follow me please! I’m fun!
lisaperrystyle
14) What is your most recent fashion purchase?
LP Shiny Dress, LP Feelin Groovy Lavender fur coat, and a rudi gernreich vintage dress from the store Decades in LA.
15) On your day off you can be found doing what?
having a chocolate eclair at Lady M , lunch at Freds in Barney, going to Museums and galleries. Check out the Koons exhibit at Luxembourg and Dayan Gallery, a must see , but beware…no prudes allowed!
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Nicky Kinnaird – the NK behind Space NK apothecary
In 1993, Nicky Kinnaird opened a shop in the heart of London’s Covent Garden. A retail space like no other, it was a browser’s paradise designed to showcase an edited, personal selection of the things she had discovered and coveted. Nicky called it Space NK.
Seventeen years later, Space NK is established as one of the most iconic sources of the world’s best beauty brands, with 60 Space NK stores throughout the UK (including four concessions in Harvey Nichols) and two Spa NKs in London. In the US, there are currently 15 Space NK stores, which include freestanding stores, as well as boutiques within Bloomingdale’s in California and stretching from Boston to New York down to Florida. Nicky Kinnaird is renowned as a visionary entrepreneur and beauty guru.
The success of Space NK lies in Nicky’s vision of a special space where people gather to share and discover beauty secrets and niche brands with knowledgeable, unbiased and genuinely passionate staff. Nicky’s drive to bring the best beauty discoveries from around the world to Space NK continues. To date, some of Nicky’s best-shared secrets include Eve Lom, Dr Sebagh, Dr. Brandt, Zelens, Sarah Chapman, Elemental Herbology, By Terry, Nars, Laura Mercier, Chantecaille, Diptyque, Rococo Nail Apparel, Oribe and Frédéric Fekkai. Nicky created a signature product line in 2009, Life NK, as a response to her everyday globetrotting needs, love of ambient fragrance and beauty essentials free from controversial ingredients. Through Space NK, these brands have achieved cult status from influential professional beauty experts to discerning consumers in the UK and US.
In 1992, Nicky sold a portion of Space NK to Manzanita Capital, headed by Bill Fisher of the legendary Gap founding Fisher family. With Manzanita Capital’s backing, Space NK expanded into the US and onto the Internet, making Space NK and its unique products broadly accessible. Nicky has also brought in a senior leadership team to support Space NK’s growth, and free her up to travel the world seeking out both creative talent and products that enhance health and beauty. As a recognized beauty guru, Nicky is in constant demand to speak to organizations around the world and to provide beauty and health advice. Her recently launched advice blog www.spacenk.com is the first step in bringing her beauty and lifestyle wisdom to millions.
Nicky grew up in Belfast, Northern Ireland. She graduated from Reading University in 1985 and worked as a Chartered Surveyor for the property company Debenham, Tewson & Chinnocks, specializing in retail agency. From there, she joined Retail Plan Ltd. and quickly built a reputation in retail that sent her around the globe on assignments and eventually led to the creation of her own retail venture: Space NK.
Nicky has received extraordinary industry recognition for her achievements, including being awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire). Nicky lives in London and New York and is an avid tennis player.
Shop and Tell with Nicky:
1. What are you biggest pet-peeves in a person?
Meaness and insincerity.
2. Best part about your job?
Working with true innovators in their respective areas of specialization – fragrance, skincare, makeup, hair care – and traveling to far-flung corners of the world in search of new discoveries.
3. If there was a film being made about your life story, who would you want to play you?
Demi Moore – I admire her talent as an actress and think she balances femininity with a bit of an edge.
4. If you could live in any decade for fashion, which decade would it be?
Now. I love my Marni, Lanvin, Céline and Jil Sander too much to switch decades.
5. What is your greatest extravagance?
Marni and Lanvin necklaces. It has been suggested I open an accessories store!
6. How would your friends describe you?
Energetic, athletic, loyal and straight talking. Obsessed with beauty, fitness and well-being.
7. Do you have any interesting talents?
I am a keen tennis player.
8. What has been your biggest fashion faux-pas to date?
Clogs from ages 11-14. You simply could not pry them from my feet.
9. Blackberry/iPhone?
Both. Blackberry in the US and iPhone in the UK.
10. Are you on Twitter? If so, what is your name?
No.
11. What is your most recent fashion purchase?
A Céline box handbag.
12. What was the last book you read?
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot.
13. True or False? You can judge a book by its cover?
False, you need to dig deeper to get to the true DNA.
14. Do you have a charity you work closely with?
Teenage Cancer Trust in the UK.
15. On your day off you can be found doing what?
Getting up early to run in the park/ play tennis, going to a spin class and followed by a yoga session. Visiting museums and art galleries with my partner Bob, or catching up on the latest movies. Dining with friends at home.
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Oliva Chantecaille
As Creative Director of Chantecaille, her family’s eponymous cosmetics and skincare line, Olivia Chantecaille imbues the brand with its distinctive stamp of modernity. Working closely with her mother since the company’s inception in 1997, Olivia contributes her innate sense of what young women want, her keen understanding of culture and fashion, and her own unique vision.
Raised amid lab samples and color charts, and accompanying her mother on research and development trips for her job as head of Prescriptives, Olivia was exposed to the world of beauty at a tender age. Her resulting affinity for aesthetics and her French heritage led her quite naturally to Europe where she studied art and worked as a model. The former gave her a more rigorous education in form and color, while the latter introduced her to the world of fashion and the techniques of top makeup artists.
This combined knowledge inspires her current role as Creative Director, as she creates trendsetting color palettes, innovative products, oversees packaging design and creates seasonal presentations to retail partners such as Barneys, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. Further, she represents the brand by making personal appearances at the top retailers. Olivia’s responsibilities also include global public relations and advertising for the company. She works closely with editors at upscale publications and orchestrates key launch events.
Olivia is instrumental in the development of the Chantecaille brand, especially in making sure it stays ahead of industry trends and in line with current fashion. She is a dynamic contributor to several New York City charities that support the arts and cultural history, and an active participant in city life. This enables her to keep in touch with what matters to young women of her generation and to translate that into the language of beauty. This year, Olivia is Chairperson for both Save Venice and Young Patrons of the Louvre; an active contributor to the Guggenheim, Whitney Museum and New Yorkers for Children foundations; and an integral part of Chantecaille’s initiatives to support marine conservation programs.
SHOP & TELL with OLIVIA:
1) What are you biggest pet-peeves in a person?
No sense of humor.
2) Best part about your job?
I love the creative side of my job and the trend-spotting.
3) If there was a film being made about your life story, who would you want to play you?
Vivien Leigh, I loved her style and her strength.
4) If you could live in any decade for fashion, which decade would it be?
1950s during Christian Dior’s ‘New Look’….fashion was refreshingly elegant and feminine for the times.
5) What is your greatest extravagance?
Vacations.
6) How would your friends describe you?
A loyal and good friend.
7) Do you have any interesting talents?
I like to make poor reproductions of my favorite artists’ work from Monet to Kandinsky.
8) What has been your biggest fashion faux-pas to date?
I vaguely recall a dress in the 80s that was made of crushed velvet…ugh…
9) Blackberry/iPhone?
Blackberry and iPad.
10) Are you on Twitter? If so, what is your name?
My company is: @Chantecaille
11) What is your most recent fashion purchase?
A vintage Alaia dress when I was in Paris for the opening of my counter at Le Bon Marche
12) What was the last book you read?
Strength in What Remains- Tracy Kidder
13) True or False? You can judge a book by its cover?
Usually.
14) Do you have a charity you work closely with?
My family is very passionate about raising awareness for environmental causes, ocean conservation and supporting endangered species.
15) On your day off you can be found doing what?
I can be found on a beach, in a garden or in an art gallery.
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PETER SOM
Peter Som’s aesthetic of bold sophistication and eclectic elegance has brought a fresh point of view the fashion world. The San Francisco native began drawing at a young age—inspired by his architect parents and the laid-back elegance of hippie-era Bay Area. Today, Peter continues to draw from these early influences as he designs clothes for confidently elegant women with that same eclectic spirit. Known for his signature bold prints, he finds beauty in the elegant and the odd. In Peter’s world, social eccentrics like Peggy Guggenheim and Edie Beale stand alongside creative minds like Diane Arbus and Cecil Beaton.
Peter graduated Cum Laude in Art History from Connecticut College in 1993 and continued his studies at Parsons School of Design where he was a recipient of the Isaac Mizrahi Gold Thimble Award. While at Parsons, he apprenticed with two of America’s most revered designers – Michael Kors and Calvin Klein. After graduating, Peter honed his skills in the design room of the legendary Bill Blass.
The 2001 Bryant Park debut of Peter’s namesake collection put his mark on the fashion world. Twice-nominated (2002 and 2004) for the CFDA Perry Ellis Award for Emerging Talent, Peter and was among the 10 semi finalists in the first ever prestigious 2004 Vogue/CFDA Fashion Fund initiative. In 2006 Peter was among the 3 finalists nominated for the Cooper Hewitt National Design Award for Fashion Design.
From 2007 to 2008 Peter Som served as Creative Director of women’s wear for Bill Blass. Currently Peter consults for Tommy Hilfiger, designing the runway clothing and accessories, and in 2011 will introduce a line of luxury home linens and bedding with Sferra.
Peter’s clothes continue to win accolades from buyers and critics alike and are regularly featured in all major fashion publications globally, including Vogue, W, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar and InStyle.
A new generation of stylish celebrities and starlets have embraced Peter’s collection, among them Scarlett Johansson, Claire Danes, Camilla Belle, Mandy Moore, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Ginnifer Goodwin.
Boldly feminine. Quirky yet Classic style.
Peter has established himself as a singularly original voice in the world of fashion.
The Peter Som collection is carried worldwide in luxury stores such as Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, and Neiman Marcus.
Shop and Tell with Peter
1. What are you biggest pet-peeves in a person?
Short tempers!
2. Best part about your job?
I get to do what I love.
3. If there was a film being made about your life story, who would you want to play you?
Kermit the Frog
4. If you could live in any decade for fashion, which decade would it be?
I would love to live in the 20’s–such an amazing time of change and liberation.
5. What is your greatest extravagance?
Ice cream! Though in all honesty this is more of a necessity than an extravagance.
6. What has been your biggest fashion faux-pas to date?
Anything that I wore in 8th grade.
7. Blackberry/iPhone?
iphone.
8. Are you on Twitter? If so, what is your name?
peter_som
9. What is your most recent fashion purchase?
Junya Watanabe/Comme des Garcons parka.
10. True or False? You can judge a book by its cover?
False.
11. On your day off you can be found doing what?
Baking or cooking! I’ve been making fresh pasta-I’m ready to try some advanced shapes!
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NINA GARCIA
With her signature eye for style, Nina Garcia is best known for her appearance as the unerring, formidable fashion judge on the hit show Project Runway. An elite authority in the industry, she has worked in fashion houses and in fashion media, with everyone from Marc Jacobs to Elle magazine and Marie Claire. Originally from Colombia, she now makes her home in New York City.
SHOP & TELL:
1) Do you prefer Short skirts or Maxi dresses?
Short skirts
2) If there was a film being made about your life story, who would you want to play you?
Jennifer Aniston or Eva Mendes
3) Do you have a charity you work closely with?
Yes I work very closely with The Alzheimer’s Association and Ballet Hispanico
4) Can you judge a book by its cover?
Not always
5) What is your most recent fashion purchase?
This beautiful Chanel jacket…
6) You’re looking to relax before bed, what works best for you reading a book, watching TV, listening to music, or complete silence?
Reading
7) What song to get you in the mood for a fun time?
Bossa Nova
8 ) What are the 4 items you never leave without in your purse?
Cell phone, wallet, notebook, lip balm
9) What is your favorite comfort food?
I absolutely love pancakes!
10) Do you typically wear black or mix it up with color?
I typically wear black
11) What is one fashion trend that you feel doesn’t fit with your personality or lifestyle?
The 80’s neon color era
12) When wearing jewelry, do you gravitate more towards silver or gold? An eye-catching statement piece or a touch of everything?
A touch of everything… a great piece of jewelry comes in all colors, shapes and sizes.
13) What is your all time favorite movie?
The Thomas Crown Affair with Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway. The most incredible fashion for men and women-it’s what you would see in the pages of a fashion magazine.
14) What has been your biggest fashion faux-pas to date?
Women that wear heels that are way to high. High heels are great but when they’re too high then that’s a different story.
15) What quality do you like most about yourself?
Loyalty
16) Do you tweet? If so, what is your username?
@Fashionninag
ZOE TWITT
Melbourne-born Zoe Twitt comes from a fashion family — her parents ran a textile company while her grandparents owned a small dress label. “I was obsessed with sketching from a really young age,” says the New York-based Twitt. But she had ambitions to be an actress, too. So she studied theater and writing at Melbourne University and Columbia University and, postcollege, simultaneously enrolled at Parsons The New School for Design and the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute. Twitt ultimately chose the design route and launched her collection this spring 2010.
Collection: “I wanted to create a mélange of classic and feminine,” says Twitt, 27. “And there are undertones of the occult.” She uses rock crystal embellishments throughout the streetwise collection — tracing shoulder cutouts, for instance, on a black tunic top. Other motifs include exposed zippers and cutouts that punctuate chunky sweaters and loose chiffon dresses. “A main pursuit for me is the multifunctional aspect,” she adds. “You can wear [the garments] zipped up or use the cutouts as a second armhole.” Design influences for Twitt include Madame Grès and Maria Cornejo.
Twitt is dedicated to sustainability and socially conscious production. All pieces are made in NYC from natural, sustainable, organic, or vintage materials.
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SHOP & TELL WITH ZOE:
1) How would your friends describe you?
I had to ask around and this is what I came up with: ”creative”, “effervescent”, “kooky, and kind.” And “fierce”. Whatever that means.
2) What is your all time favorite movie?
The Castle. It’s really funny. Sort of an Australian cult classic.
3) If you could go back in time what would be the one piece of advice you would give yourself?
Don’t worry!! It won’t change anything, and everything is as it should be.
4) Do you have any interesting talents?
I put on a pretty decent sock puppet show. It has gotten to the point that my niece thinks all socks talk.
5) What are the 4 items you never leave without in your purse?
Trish McEvoy compact (which includes bronzer and lipgloss), my AMEX, iPhone, and keys.
6) Who or what are your biggest influences to your personal style?
Maria Callas, for her elegance.
7) What has been your biggest fashion faux-pas to date?
In high school I had this awful bright orange faux-fur coat I bought from Selfridges in London. I always intended it to be worn ironically, however, it shouldn’t have been worn at all.
8) If you could meet anyone from history, who would it be?
Jesus.
9) What is your most recent fashion purchase?
A Rag and Bone blazer, Rag and Bone minidress with long sleeves, and a Helmut Lang miniskirt. All in black.
10) Do you prefer Short skirts or Maxi dresses?
I love them both equally.
11) Do you typically wear black or mix it up with color?
It’s usually just black, white, and ivory with a splash of color around my neck, a fabulous handbag, or an accessory. Otherwise my outfit feels too chaotic.
12) What was the last book you read?
Juliet, Naked.
13) Can you judge a book by its cover?
Are we speaking literally or figuratively? Literally, yes. Figuratively, no.
14) Do you have a charity you work closely with?
Happy Hearts Fund. I am working with Petra Nemcova’s sister Olga on our accessories. We are donating a percentage to Olga’s sister’s charity to help children whose countries have been hit by natural disaster. What Petra and Olga do is amazing, and I’m excited to be a part of it.
15) What quality do you like most about yourself?
My sense of delight. Without it, my life would be unsurprising.
TOMMY HILFIGER
For 25 years, Tommy Hilfiger has brought classic, cool, American apparel to consumers around the world. His designs give time-honored classics a fresh look, and his discerning taste has provided the foundation for the growth of a global brand.
Under Hilfiger’s guidance, vision and leadership as Principal Designer, the Tommy Hilfiger Group has become one of very few globally recognized designer brands offering a wide range of American-inspired apparel and accessories.
Born the second of nine children in Elmira, New York, Hilfiger’s career in fashion began as a high school student in 1969 when he opened a small chain of stores called People’s Place with just $150. His goal was to bring ,fashion from New York and London to upstate New York. Self taught, he soon began designing for the boutiques he had always admired. In 1979 he moved to New York City to pursue a career as a full-time fashion designer. In New York, Hilfiger caught the eye of Mohan Murjani, a businessman who was looking to launch a line of men’s clothing and believed that Hilfiger’s entrepreneurial background gave him the unique ability to approach men’s fashion in a new way. With Murjani’s support, Hilfiger introduced his first signature collection in 1985 by modernizing button-down shirts, chinos, and other time-honored classics with updated fits and details. The relaxed, youthful attitude of his first designs has remained a distinctive hallmark throughout all of Hilfiger’s subsequent collections.
Through his creative efforts as a designer, and in working on a series of bold marketing campaigns, Hilfiger has both influenced and developed lasting relationships with a wide-range of cultural influencers and trendsetters. In 1985, Hilfiger hired legendary ad man George Lois to develop a billboard to place in the center of New York’s Times Square. The now famous “hangman ad” ignited the designer’s career and launched a dynamic and productive relationship between Hilfiger and Lois. In 2007, Hilfiger and Lois collaborated on the book Iconic America: A Roller-Coaster Ride through the Eye-Popping Panorama of American Pop Culture, which presents a mosaic of over 400 iconic and iconoclastic images from the melting pot of the American experience. In the 1990’s, Hilfiger became a pioneer in the industry by featuring emerging musical talent such as Britney Spears and Lenny Kravitz in his advertising campaigns.
As Hilfiger’s designs merged with popular culture, he began to extend his company’s distinct brand message across a variety of mediums and platforms. Celebrating the long association between Hilfiger Denim and the music world, in 2009 the Company launched the brand’s online evolution – www.hilfigerdenim.com. The website allows visitors to peruse the latest cutting-edge Hilfiger Denim collection, while enjoying the music behind the designs.
Hilfiger’s diverse achievements in business, retail and fashion have earned him a variety of distinguished awards. In 1998, Parsons School of Design in New York City honored him with their Designer of the Year award, as did GQ magazine for their annual “Men of the Year” issue. In 1995 he was named Menswear Designer of the Year by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). That same year, he received VH1’s “From the Catwalk to the Sidewalk” award at their annual Fashion and Music Awards. He has also won several FiFi Awards, the fragrance industry’s most illustrious honor. In November of 2002, he was selected as GQ magazine’s International Designer of the Year award recipient in Germany. That same month, the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) organization presented Hilfiger with the Future of America Award, D.A.R.E.’s highest honor, for his philanthropic efforts for America’s youth.
In 2006, GQ Spain honored Hilfiger as Designer of the Year, while the Hispanic Federation awarded him the Individual Achievement Award at their annual gala the following year. In 2008, Hilfiger received the coveted Bambi Award for the fashion category during the 60th annual prestigious Bambi Awards ceremony, while Women’s Wear Daily listed him as the #1 Designer and #16 Brand in their annual ‘100’ list. In 2009, he went on to receive the respected UNESCO Support Award for his philanthropic efforts throughout the years, as well as the Marie Claire Lifetime Achievement Award. Hilfiger was also awarded the Alpha Award of Honor from the U.S. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity for his dedication to serving the community.
In 1995, Hilfiger launched The Tommy Hilfiger Corporate Foundation to enrich the physical and intellectual well being of youth with a major emphasis on education and cultural programs that impact a diverse population. Hilfiger is actively involved in a number of charities and causes, including the Washington, D.C. Martin Luther King Jr., National Memorial Project Foundation and the Anti-Defamation League. He has also served on the board of directors for The Fresh Air Fund, a New York based group that has been sending underprivileged children to summer camp since 1877, and the Race to Erase MS (Multiple Sclerosis) since 1994.
Over the past four years Hilfiger has also supported Breast Health International, a globally renowned organization committed to finding a cure for breast cancer, by designing four limited edition bags to benefit the charity. Through previous initiatives, Hilfiger has partnered with actresses Cristiana Capotondi and Claudia Gerini, France’s first lady Carla Bruni, Helena Christensen and Milla Jovovich. As ambassadors of the program, these women have helped raise funds and promote the limited edition bags. Half of the proceeds from the limited edition bag were donated to Breast Health International’s “Fund for Living” program.
In 2009, The Tommy Hilfiger Corporate Foundation donated over $2 million to Millennium Promise, a non-profit organization founded in 2005 to help end extreme poverty. The partnership celebrates the Foundation’s globalization of its philanthropic mission to help build a healthy and civil society by supporting education, physical well-being and cultural programs. It also marks the first major global effort supported by The Tommy Hilfiger Corporate Foundation.
SHOP & TELL WITH TOMMY
1) How would your friends describe you?
Fun and really into music
2) What is your all time favorite movie?
The Getaway is a classic- Ali MacGraw and Steve McQueen are great in the action film and her style is incredibly iconic
3) If you could go back in time what would be the one piece of advice you would give yourself?
Dream big
4) Are you on twitter? If so, what is your name?
The brand is on Twitter, follow us at twitter.com/tommyhilfiger
5) What are the 4 items you never travel without?
My blackberry, the latest issue of People, water and peanuts
6) Who or what are your biggest influences to your personal style?
I’m inspired by a lot of the icons- James Dean, Grace Kelly, Debbie Harry- but also by people like Angelina Jolie, Bradley Cooper and Kristen Bell.
7) What has been your biggest fashion faux-pas to date?
Shoulder pads have to be done in a very careful way
8) If you could meet anyone from history, who would it be?
Martin Luther King Jr.
9) What is your most recent fashion purchase?
A glen plaid jacket from our fall runway collection
10) What is your favorite vacation spot?
My house in Mustique
11) Do you typically wear black or mix it up with color?
I rarely wear black, but I add a pop of color to any look
12) What was the last book you read?
I just reread To Kill A Mockingbird
13) Do you have any pre fashion show rituals?
I have a big breakfast with my family
14) Do you have a charity you work closely with?
Yes we recently made a five-year commitment to Millennium Promise, a non-profit organization dedicated to eradicating poverty. And during the month of October we donate 30% of proceeds from the sale of pink items in our US specialty stores to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
15) What quality do you like most about yourself?
The opportunity to give back
Sonia Kashuk, Creator Sonia Kashuk for Target
Make-up artist and determined entrepreneur, Sonia Kashuk, is a unique talent with a can do spirit, unafraid to blaze her own trail.
Sonia has always believed you don’t have to compromise style design and quality to provide great value. In characteristically visionary thinking, Sonia was inspired to create a new beauty genre – prestige-quality makeup in elegant packaging at an accessible price point. 2009 marked Sonia’s milestone 10th anniversary with Target celebrating a decade of providing exceptional cosmetics and professional beauty tools at prices that won’t break the bank.
In the early 1980’s, Sonia relocated to New York City from Minnesota with makeup case in hand, and quickly attracted the attention of esteemed photographer Arthur Elgort. Their collaboration soon led to editorial work for Elle, Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue, and runway assignments for Oscar de la Renta and Marc Jacobs. Sonia consulted for Aveda as Creative Director of Cosmetics from 1989 to 1997, and, in 1997, collaborated with Cindy Crawford, her dear friend, on the publication of Basic Face, an instructional beauty workbook. Later, in 2003, Sonia published her second book, Real Beauty, with editorial contributions from celebrities, industry specialists and top beauty editors.
In 2003, Sonia received the prestigious Cosmetic Executive Women Achiever Award in honor of her many accomplishments, progressive thinking and unrelenting dedication. Over the past 10 years, Sonia has won a myriad of awards acknowledging her innovations in beauty, including two CEW Beauty awards, an HBA Packaging award, as well as countless “Best of Beauty” awards in top national publications including Allure, InStyle, Redbook and Self, among others. Her award-winning products continue to receive the highest industry accolades year after year.
Sonia currently resides in New York City with her husband Daniel Kaner, founder of Oribe Hair Care, and their two children Jonah, 15 and Sadye, 12.
About Target
Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) serves guests at 1,752 stores in 49 states nationwide and at Target.com. Target is committed to providing a fun and convenient shopping experience with access to unique and highly differentiated products at affordable prices. Since 1946, the corporation has given 5 percent of its income through community grants and programs like Take Charge
SHOP AND TELL WITH SONIA!
1) How would your friends describe you?
Loyal tenacious focused and hopefully generous
2) What is your all time favorite movie?
Top of mind right now -I just saw the Social Network and loved it!
3) If you could go back in time what would be the one piece of advice you would give yourself?
To have been a more engaged student- Growing up I hated school and today I fantasize of being a student of the Harvard MBA program.
4) Are you on twitter? If so, what is your name?
Yes, Yes, Yes! SoniaKashuk – I would love it if you follow me!
5) What are the 4 items you never leave home without?
Blackberry
Glasses
Keys
My Truffle Luxury Lip Color
6) Who or what are your biggest influences to your personal style?
I always go for Classic with a twist and I like items that are timeless
7) What has been your biggest fashion faux-pas to date?
10 days after I had my double mastectomy People Magazine came to photograph me for an article they were doing. When I saw the photograph I realized I should have had myself looking better for the shoot
8 ) If you could meet anyone from history, who would it be?
The power beauty players … Estee Lauder, Helena Rubenstein and Charles Revson
9) What is your most recent beauty purchase?
A facial from Vicki Morav
10) What is your favorite vacation spot?
My home in Connecticut
11) Do you typically wear your make-up natural or use bold colors?
I definitely tend to stay more natural and always have my Perfectly Neutral Eye Palette in my makeup bag along with my Rosey Nude Lip Crayon that is great for that pop of color!
12) If you could only put on one item of make-up, what would it be?
Foundation- because great looking skin already has you halfway there.
13) What was the last book you have read?
Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh- I found it very inspiring!
14) Do you have a charity you work closely with?
I am on the board of Cancer and Careers- a foundation that empowers and educates people with cancer to thrive in their work environment by providing expert advice, interactive tools and educational events.
Target and I have partnered to do product that supports the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
15) What quality do you like most about yourself?
I am not sure if it is a good thing or a bad thing but I always strive for perfection
AERIN LAUDER
Aerin Lauder is Senior Vice President, Creative Director for Estée Lauder, the flagship brand of The Estée Lauder Companies. In this role, which she assumed in July 2004, Aerin oversees all creative efforts for Estée Lauder skincare, makeup and fragrance, including print, TV and on line advertising imagery, packaging, store design and visual merchandising.
As Creative Director, Aerin was most recently involved in signing world-renowned makeup artist Tom Pecheux as Creative Makeup Director and naming two new global models — Liu Wen, the brand’s first Chinese model and Constance Jablonski, the brand’s first French model.
In 2008, Aerin spearheaded the creation of the groundbreaking advertising concept for Estée Lauder’s Sensuous fragrance featuring all of the brand’s spokesmodels in classic white shirts. In August 2007, Aerin launched her own fragrance, Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia, followed by Private Collection Amber Ylang Ylang in December 2008. The third fragrance in Aerin’s Private Collection – Private Collection Jasmine White Moss – debuted in July 2009. To communicate a modern, aspirational image for this special franchise, Aerin is featured personally in the advertising campaigns for all three Private Collection fragrances. Defined by the finest ingredients and luxury packaging, Aerin’s Private Collection is rooted in a shared love of fragrance with her late grandmother, Mrs. Estée Lauder.
Aerin began her career at The Estée Lauder Companies in 1992, where she served as part of the Prescriptives marketing team and was involved in special marketing programs for the color, fragrance and skincare businesses.
In 1995, Aerin moved to the Estée Lauder division as Director, Creative Product Development, where she was the creative force behind the brand’s makeup programs and new color stories. Two years later, in 1997, Aerin was promoted to Executive Director, Creative Marketing, where she played a critical role in defining and enhancing the Estée Lauder brand image. In April 2001, Aerin assumed the position of Vice President of Global Advertising for the Estée Lauder brand, which she held for three years. In that capacity, she oversaw the direction of all advertising creative concept development, working closely with the brand’s internal creative and marketing teams.
Aerin’s various roles in the company over the last 17 years, along with a lifetime of experience in the cosmetics industry, contributes to her current success as Creative Director helping to shape the image of the flagship brand.
Aerin is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg School of Communications. She serves on the Board of Directors of The Estée Lauder Companies, the Board of Trustees of Thirteen/WNET and is a member of the Junior Associates Committee of the Museum of Modern Art. Aerin is also actively involved in the Neue Galerie, a museum founded in 2001 by her father, Ronald Lauder, dedicated to German and Austrian art from the early 20th Century.
Aerin lives in New York with her husband and two children.
SHOP & TELL WITH AERIN
1) How would your friends describe you?
Fun and creative
2) What is your all time favorite movie?
High Society
3) If you could go back in time what would be the one piece of advice you would give yourself?
Travel more
4) Are you on twitter? If so, what is your name?
No
5) What are the 4 items you never leave home without?
Blackberry, Kid Robot keychain, Pure Color Gloss, sunglasses
6) Who or what are your biggest influences to your personal style?
My mother. Timeless, simple style.
7) What has been your biggest fashion faux-pas to date?
Too bold of a pattern.
8) If you could meet anyone from history, who would it be?
Picasso
9) What is your most recent fashion purchase?
Lanvin purple cocktail dress
10) What is your favorite vacation spot?
Aspen, Colorado
11) Do you typically wear black or mix it up with color?
Black – a lot!
12) What was the last book you read?
Katie Up and Down the Hall by Glenn Plaskin
13) Do you have any pre fashion show rituals?
Buy a new handbag and a great pair of all black pants
14) Do you have a charity you work closely with?
Breast Cancer Research Foundation
15) What quality do you like most about yourself?
Honesty
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Michael Smaldone, Talbots Chief Creative Officer
This newly created role of CCO is responsible for reinvigorating the Talbots’ brand using a comprehensive creative process that develops the image and identity of the company through product development, store concepts and marketing. Is responsible for the quality of the final creative work while ensuring consistent execution of the new brand platform. Oversee the re-design of the direct business in both catalog and internet while positioning the brand to leverage its unique attributes and focus on the core consumer. Responsible for driving all creative strategies that ensures commercial viability of a true multi-channel business. Talbots operates 600 retail stores, catalog and ecommerce and has an annual volume of 1.5B.
Prior to Talbot’s, Michael Smaldone was the Senior Vice President/Design of Anne Taylor, and Creative Director of Elie Tahari.
Shop & Tell
1) What are you biggest pet-peeves in a person?
indecisiveness
2) If there was a film being made about your life story, who would you want to play you?
Jon Hamm (but he would have to shave his head!)
3) If you could live in any decade for fashion, which decade would it be?
I think of the 1950’s as the height of glamour – With the flowing and fitted skirts, tight bodices, high heels and of course the invention of the hourglass shape. Everyone took such pride in what they wore and the way they looked. For me it is a time that will always be thought of as a very influential and fashionable decade.
4) What are your vices?
Dark chocolate especially Callebaut Chocolate. In fact, the vice is sometimes so bad (and the chocolate is so delicious) that when I travel I have the hotel where I am staying empty the minibar so I am not even tempted by dark chocolate that could be looming in a minibar fridge!
5) If you could meet anyone from history, who would it be?
Picasso
6) What song to get you in the mood for a fun time?
Valerie – featuring Mark Ronson featuring Amy Winehouse
7) Blackberry/iPhone?
I have both
8) What quality do you like most about yourself?
I am consistent
9) You’re looking to relax before bed, what works best for you reading a book, watching TV, listening to music, or complete silence?
Complete silence
10) What is your most recent fashion purchase?
Recently, while I was in Paris I finally purchased the Hermes bag I had been coveting for over five years. It’s a mocha brown leather satchel – good for work, good for carrying gym clothing.
11) Do you typically wear black or mix it up with color?
I wear black and I mix it with navy
12) Can you judge a book by its cover?
No you cant judge a book by its cover but you can judge a person by his/her shoe choice.
13) Do you have a charity you work closely with?
amfAR
14) What is your all time favorite movie?
La Belle et La Bete directed by Jean Cocteau
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GABY BASORA
Hard-working, creative, talented, funny, flawed, genuine, unstoppable, mother, wife –Gaby Basora is all of these things and they are the definition behind her Tucker collection. With the intention to create something easy and beautiful for her busy and versatile lifestyle, Basora designed the original Tucker blouse in the summer of 2005, made from silk with a button down front and shirred neckline. Everywhere Basora went women stopped her, friends and strangers alike commented on her blouse, and at that moment Tucker was born. Within months, Barneys New York placed their first order for Tucker by Gaby Basora.
From a young age, Basora was drawn to fabrics, patterns and color. Growing up in Seattle, Basora would roam the local flea markets and thrift shops with her three sisters on the weekends. She learned to knit from her mom, and picked up basic sewing techniques from the local sewing shop in her hometown. Travel also had a strong influence on Basora, where early on she had the opportunity to live in Amsterdam and traveled often to Paris before moving to New York to attend Sarah Lawrence College. Following graduation, Basora worked as an assistant to stylists on editorial and commercial jobs until she went out on her own as a stylist for ten years, traveling on tour with top artists such as Lauryn Hill.
In five short years, Basora has gained international recognition for her Tucker collection and is found in over 200 retailers worldwide including Barneys New York, Harvey Nichols, Net-A-Porter and Bloomingdale’s as well as better boutiques around the world. What started with a single blouse is now a collection of over 35 silhouettes, including dresses, coats and lingerie.
From her design studio in New York City’s Meat Packing District, Basora designs exclusive prints inspired by her life: magazines, novels, travel, nature as well as everyday objects that catch her eye. Today, Tucker has become synonymous with prints – sophisticated in content and color palette – and equally as appreciated and signature as the silhouettes. The majority of Tucker prints are now exclusively designed in house.
Tucker, which is derived from its definition “A piece of cloth draped over the bosom,” is the perfect expression of the collection, where each piece is intended to emphasize the woman wearing it and is not specific to any style or state of mind. Tucker is free-spirited, brave and nostalgic.
Gaby Basora’s exclusive collection for Target, Tucker for Target, launched September 12, 2010 and will be available through October 17, 2010 at most Target stores nationwide and Target.com. The collection is comprised of silhouettes that work from day to evening, including outerwear, and designed for a spirited, strong woman of any age.
Shop and Tell With Gaby
SHOP:
Q: Short skirts or Maxi dresses?
A: MAXI
Q: Black or color?
A: IN Black now, but color
Q: Blackberry/iPhone?
A: blackberry
Q: 1960s or 1970s?
A: 1970’s
Q: Beach or Snow?
A: beach
TELL
Q: Most-played song on your iPod?
A: misfits
Q: If you had three items in your purse, what would they be?
A: elizabeth arden eight hour lipstick version, toy or snack for the kiddo and socks in hopes of getting to an exercise class
Q: All-time favorite movie?
A: peppermint soda
Q: Favorite Restaurant?
A: bar pitti
Q: Biggest indulgence?
A: books
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SIMON DOONAN
British born Simon Doonan is a style commentator with over 30 years experience in the World of Fashion. His eclectic career includes many diverse projects and affiliations: in the 1980’s he designed costume installations for Diana Vreeland at the Metropolitan Museum, and he created the art-gallery scene for the movie Beverly Hills Cop.
He is currently a regular guest on Vh1, BRAVO, NPR and Sirius Satellite Radio. As Creative Director of Barneys New York, he is responsible for all aspects of Barneys image. He is most known for his sometimes-controversial windows, a Barneys trademark since 1986, and for his provocative “Simon Says” column in the New York Observer.
After the 1998 publication of Simon’s first book ‘Confessions of a Window Dresser’ New Line Cinema quickly grabbed the film rights for Maverick Films to produce and Simon to adapt.
Simon’s second book, ‘Wacky Chicks; Life Lessons From Fearlessly Inappropriate and Fabulously Eccentric Women,’ was published in April 2003 by Simon & Schuster and became a best-seller.
His memoir entitled ‘Nasty: My family and other glamorous varmints’ was published by Simon & Schuster in June 2005. The rights were acquired by the BBC and a comedy series entitled ‘Beautiful People,’ produced by Jon Plowman and based on ‘Nasty’ aired on the BBC2 network in Fall 2008 and on the LOGO network in the US in 2009. ‘Nasty’ is now published in the US and the UK under the title “Beautiful People.” (US paperback due April ’09)
Simon’s most recent book ‘Eccentric Glamour’ was published in April 2008 by Simon & Schuster. A humorous exploration of personal style, it includes interviews with such eccentrically glamorous celebrities as Tilda Swinton, Iman, and Lucy Liu.
Awards: National Association of Display Industries 1988; Woolmark 1993; Fashion Group 1996; Benjamin Franklin Award 1999; CFDA award 1999; Markopoulos Award 2003
Simon Doonan lives in New York City with his partner, the ceramicist and designer Jonathan Adler and their Norwich terrier, Liberace.
Simon Doonan is represented by the William Morris Agency.
Shop and Tell with Simon Doonan:
1) What are you biggest pet-peeves in a person?
I can’t deal with excessive polite-ness. It’s sweet, but it can get in the way of a good time and a chuckle.
2) If there was a film being made about your life story, who would you want to play you?
Linda Hunt! Just kidding. How about Ed Westwick?
3) If you could live in any decade for fashion, which decade would it be?
I dont really want to go too far back. I might get polio or some other dreadful disease. Can I relive the 70’s again, please!
4) What has been your biggest fashion faux-pas to date?
I don’t believe in faux pas. Good taste, bad taste! It’s all subjective. The only real faux pas is not expressing yourself.
5) What is one fashion trend that you feel doesn’t fit with your personality or lifestyle?
Culottes look terrible on midgets like me!
6) What is your most recent fashion purchase?
I just bought a pair of MONCLER sneakers which I am totally MAD FOR. Very sportif!
7) Do you have a charity you work closely with?
I have worked with Bailey House and God’s Love for years. Somehow I survived the AIDS epidemic.
I always want to try to give back.
8) What is your greatest extravagance?
I love LIBERTY shirts. I must have about 50. Mine are made by Hamilton, the custom
shirtmaker at Barneys.
9) Are you on twitter? If so, what is your profile name?
@simondoonan
Not actively. I cannot quite figure out how to approach it.
I am an idiot.
But I could never write those, “Just arrived in St Barts” type tweets.
That would make me suicidal.
10) If you could meet anyone from history, who would it be?
I always loved Golda Meier. Not exactly a fashion plate…but maybe I
could have helped her with that a little. And some cream for that dry skin!
11) What song to get you in the mood for a fun time?
I love 70’s Funk – One Nation Under a Groove – Funkadelic. I’m very Soul Train.
12) What quality do you like most about yourself?
I am very skeptical about everything. Not negative. Just not taking things at face value. This makes the world so much more fun.
13) You’re looking to relax before bed, what works best for you reading a book, watching TV, listening to music, or complete silence?
I love to read books, but right before I go to bed I need trash and fluff. I heart HELLO magazine. Jonny and I are also ping-pong addicts.
Pre-Sarandon, I might add.
14) What is your all time favorite movie?
Some Like It Hot or Sunset Boulevard or Double Indemnity or anything Billy Wilder. He was a poet.
15) What is your favorite part of FNO?
Hearing the cash registers ringing and seeing those shopping bags. I am a retailer through and through.
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Ann Caruso, Fashion stylist and consultant
Fashion stylist and consultant Ann Caruso has gained renown in the industry for her refined classic sensibilities and the iconic images she creates in collaboration with some of the world’s most esteemed artists.
Ann began her career at Ralph Lauren working as a design assistant. Following her tenure at the iconic American fashion house, she embarked on what would be a career and life changing move to work in the fashion department at Vogue Magazine. Ann stayed at Vogue for six years where she developed her reputation as a well-known fashion and accessories editor under the leadership of Anna Wintour. Her roles entailed working directly with leading designers in the market and helping shape trends for the season.
Ann has successfully transitioned to the world of freelance styling, and in the years since Vogue, her work has appeared in magazines such as Vanity Fair, InStyle, Town & Country, and Tatler, where she was a contributing Fashion Editor for several years. Also, Harper’s Bazaar named Ann a contributing Fashion Editor. In this role, Ann conceptualizes ideas, styles and oversees the production of her shoots.
Predominantly known as a high – profile international celebrity stylist, in recent years she has worked with the likes of Katherine Heigl, Elizabeth Hurley, Claire Danes, and Liv Tyler. Ann has also styled and consulted on many fashion shows for New York fashion week and styles advertising campaigns for such clients as Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, and Talbots.
Ann is frequently interviewed as a fashion expert on television. She also lends her vast knowledge as a consultant with fashion and accessory houses looking to solidify their image. Ann’s experience allows her to work with both emerging designers and established brands that require building an image that positions them as leaders in the market. Her network of photographers, models, and key brands allow her to take on projects that will shape the way a brand will be perceived by both industry and consumers alike.
Shop and Tell with Ann Caruso:
SHOP
Q Short skirts or Maxi dresses?
A Short. I prefer above the knee or to the knee.
Q Black or color?
A Both.
Q Blackberry/iPhone?
A Both. Blackberry for emails and contacts. Iphone for phone, Facebook, and fun pics!
Q 1960s or 1970s?
A 70’s chic is so timeless to me
Q Beach or Snow?
A I’ll take the beach any day.
TELL
Q Most-played song on your iPod?
A Aretha Franklin, Lady Gaga, or Cold Plays’s Viva la Vida.
Q If you had three items in your purse, what would they be?
A My PDA, Credit Cards, and Lip Gloss.
Q All-time favorite movie?
A Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
Q Favorite Restaurant?
A I don’t have one.
Q Biggest indulgence?
A Staying in bed and watching movies all day.
Kara Ross, Jewelry and Handbag Designer
One of Kara Ross’s fondest memories of her childhood is a safari to Africa with her parents at the age of thirteen. To commemorate the trip, Kara’s parents allowed her to choose a native gemstone of her choice. When they returned to their home, Kara was told she could design and create a ring with the tourmaline she chose. After a trip to “Jeweler’s Row” in downtown Philadelphia, Kara decided to create a square cut ring on an 18 karat gold band with diamonds. “To know that I could create something wholly original at a young age really affected me.”
It was a concept that would guide her vision as a designer. After graduating from Georgetown University and a brief stint in advertising at Harper’s Bazaar, Kara became a certified gemologist. For many years, she used diamonds, pearls, and 18kt gold to create one-of-a-kind custom pieces for private clients.
In 2002, Kara launched a comprehensive fine jewelry line and an exotic handbag line followed in 2006. Kara’s latest endeavor is the fashion jewelry line, Kara by Kara Ross. This collection has given Kara the ability to offer luxury jewelry at an accessible price. In each of these lower-priced pieces, the artist’s hand is apparent. The same gemstones and exotic skins that are used in the fine jewelry and handbag collections are featured. The premier collection provides an array of cuffs, earrings, necklaces, and rings.
Kara’s pieces have been featured internationally in top fashion magazines such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, W, and Elle, as well as on celebrities including Kate Hudson, Cameron Diaz, Eva Mendes, Debra Messing, Kate Beckinsale, Eva Longoria, Anne Hathaway, Demi Moore, Alicia Keyes, Miley Cyrus, and Oprah.
Shop and Tell with Kara Ross:
SHOP:
Q: Short skirts or Maxi dresses? Maxi dresses
Q: Black or color? Color
Q: Blackberry/iPhone? Blackberry
Q: 1960s or 1970s? 1970s
Q: Beach or Snow? Beach
TELL:
Q: Most-played song on your iPod? I prefer my iPad to an iPod
Q: If you had three items in your purse, what would they be? Blackberry, wallet, lipgloss
Q: All-time favorite movie? Annie Hall
Q: Favorite Restaurant? Re Sette in Manhattan is a new favorite
Q: Biggest indulgence? Anything sweet
Tory Burch, Founder and Creative Director Tory Burch
Tory Burch is an attainable luxury lifestyle brand defined by classic American sportswear with an
eclectic sensibility. It embodies the personal style and spirit of its Chairman Tory Burch. Recognizing a void in the market for a designer aesthetic at an accessible price point, Tory wanted to create stylish yet wearable clothing and accessories for women of all ages. Launched in February 2004, Tory Burch is carried at 33 freestanding Tory Burch boutiques across the US and Asia, www.ToryBurch.com and over 500 select department and specialty stores worldwide.
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Lucy Sykes: Fashion Editor, Stylist to the Stars and Designer
Lucy Sykes Rellie grew up in Kent in the United Kingdom, where her designer mother, Valerie Goad (herself a designer of children’s clothing) and novelist father inspired a creative, fanciful and intelligent upbringing for Lucy and her siblings; Plum, Tom and Alice. Enamored of fashion from a young age, Lucy moved to New York in 1996, where she immediately found success at fashion and lifestyle bibles Harper’s Bazaar, Town & Country, Allure, and at Marie Claire, where she was Fashion Director. Lucy’s quick-witted humor, natural enthusiasm and uber-chic, effortless sense of style made her an industry favorite and front-row regular.
In August 2004, Lucy founded Lucy Sykes New York (LSNY), a whimsical children’s fashion line, as well as Lucy Sykes Baby (LSB), a clothing line for infants and toddlers. Liberty prints, luxe but understated embellishments, and smartly tailored silhouettes characterize both labels. The company and the collections are inspired by Lucy’s experience and by her life. Lucy introduced a women’s line in the spring of 2006. In 2007, Lucy teamed up with Stride Rite to form a new collection that sets the trend on the street, providing little toes with style, comfortable, and high quality shoes. Her collection is now carried at a variety of major department stores, including but not limited to, Barney’s New York, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Harrods, and Selfridges.
Lucy’s profile has appeared in numerous publications including- WWD, Vogue, Town & Country, Forbes, Gotham, Earnshaw’s, Cookie, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, Child, Departures, Time Out New York, Fashion Week Daily, etc. The chicest moms, including, Reese Witherspoon, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Gwyneth Paltrow, Liv Tyler purchase her collections for their well dressed broods.
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Kendra Scott, Jewelry Designer & Founder of Kendra Scott DesignsIn 2002, Kendra Scott combined her love of fashion with her creative skills and began creating jewelry out of the spare bedroom of her home in Austin, Texas. Her initial investment in the company was a mere five hundred dollars, but combined with Kendra’s design talent, passionate determination and fearless selling skills, Kendra Scott Jewelry has become a global multi-million dollar company. Both Kendra and her jewelry have been featured on NBC’s TODAY Show, The Rachael Ray Show, The View, People’s Choice Awards as well as all the major fashion magazines including INSTYLE, People, Elle, Allure, BRIDES and O, The Oprah Magazine to name a few.
Kendra was just 19 years old when she began her career in the fashion industry. She started a company called The Hat Box after her stepfather was diagnosed with cancer. Kendra began designing and selling hats for cancer patients who, like her stepfather, had lost their hair due to chemotherapy treatments. All of the proceeds went to cancer research organizations.
In 2002, Kendra began creating her own jewelry and selling her mini-collection to local Austin boutiques. That mini-collection has since grown in to a multi-million dollar company with showrooms in Au
stin and New York City. Kendra’s line can also be found at top retailers such as Lord & Taylor, Henri Bendel and many specialty boutiques around the globe.
Kendra has also cultivated partnerships with fashion luminaries such as Oscar de la Renta and Randolph Duke, who have both featured Kendra as their accessories designer for their runway collections. In addition to working with these designers, Kendra works with many other national brands on the design and production of their jewelry.
In early 2010, Kendra partnered with Rachael Ray and Dress for Success, a non-profit program that helps disadvantaged women become economically independent by providing professional attire, support and resources. For every piece of jewelry purchased on www.kendrascott.com, Kendra will donate a Hope Pendant Necklace to a woman in the Dress for Success program.Kendra is also actively involved in her community and maintains a position on the board of LifeWorks, a non-profit that provides services to homeless and at-risk youth and their family in Austin. She is also a co-founder and co-chair of LEAP (LifeWorks Entrepreneurs & Professionals), a fundraising and networking organization that connects individuals interested in making a positive impact on the lives of those in need.
Amy Smilovic, Tibi designer and founder
Amy Smilovic, began her career in the fashion industry shortly after moving to Hong Kong in 1997. Following a successful marketing position at American Express in New York City, Amy relocated to Asia with her husband and began designing a small collection of contemporary dresses. Four batik styles, heavily influenced by her international travels, quickly emerged into a complete line of women’s wear through word of mouth amongst the ex-pat community and a large overseas order placed through Saks Fifth Avenue. Tibi has rapidly expanded into its current offering of ten collections per year as well as a complete shoe line, swimwear, and home accessories. Amy hand designs a range of prints and styles to match her personal taste and distinctive approach to dressing which she showcases in the tents of Bryant Park each season during NYC’s Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.
Two years into the business, Amy was joined by her husband Frank Smilovic, now President of the company. Frank is responsible for developing and implementing Tibi’s global growth strategy and managing the day-to-day affairs. Before assuming this role, Frank was Senior Vice President of Gateway’s Japan, Asia and Australia operations. Prior to Gateway, Frank was with American Express for over 25 years in a variety of senior positions including Head of Finance for Europe, Vice President Worldwide Marketing based in New York and President Merchant Services Group for Asia.
September 2006 marked the opening of the first Tibi retail boutique in New York. The 2,200 square foot space, designed by Steve Blatz and Antonio Saracino, is located in SoHo at 120 Wooster Street and has received architectural acclaim in notable publications such as Interior Design Magazine. This is the first of many free standing stores in the comprehensive Tibi retail expansion strategy.
Tibi is now one of the largest contemporary lines found in over 600 specialty stores and upscale department stores worldwide including Saks Fifth Avenue, Henri Bendel, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales, Scoop, Net-a-Porter, Harvey Nichols, Harrods and Selfridges. Smilovic has recently opened showrooms in Dallas, London, Milan, Australia and Canada to better support the company’s expansion. Additionally, a licensing deal out of Tokyo, Japan has resulted in the opening of 17 free standing stores. Scarlett Johansson, Kate Hudson, Vanessa Hudgens and Eva Mendes are all fans of Tibi’s sophisticated prints and feminine designs.
Amy and Frank reside in Greenwich, CT and run the business out of their 8,000 square foot loft in SoHo, NY.
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Audrey McClelland, Creator of mom blog MomGenerations.com
Audrey McClelland is a mother of 4 young boys and a founder of the website MomGenerations.com. After graduating from Brown University, and fueled by her love of fashion, Audrey moved to NYC and worked for Donna Karan International for 6 years; her first position was as Donna Karan’s personal assistant. The experience inspired Audrey to create a fashion component for all moms within her personal mom blog on Mom Generations. Drawing on her background in fashion, on January 1, 2009, Audrey launched the popular series “365 Days of Fashion Advice for Moms” on Mom Generations, offering one piece of fashion and/or beauty advice each day, either through a blog post or a vlog. Audrey also serves as the Beauty & Style Editor on Lifetime Moms and Fashion Editor on Blissfully Domestic. Audrey was named as one of “The Power Pack” Moms in Nielson’s Online 2009 Power Moms list. Her “Mom Fashion Report” will air on MomTV in May 2010. She is a vlogger for Johnson & Johnson’s “Real Moms” Health Channel, one of Hanes’ Social Media Comfort Crew members, a member of the Walmart Moms Social Media program, and she holds a position on Hasbro’s Playskool Panel.
Audrey has appeared in The New York Times, Redbook Magazine, The Boston Globe, Woman’s Day and Pregnancy Magazine. She has been on the Rachael Ray Show, hosted the People’s Choice Fashion Recap with Tim Gunn and Gretta Monahan and serves as a regular guest on FOX’s “The Rhode Show” in Providence, RI.
Audrey’s next upcoming project is Getting Gorgeous Events. She has teamed up with Vera Sweeney from I’m Not Obsessed blog to create Mom Fashion and Beauty events throughout the country. Their first event will launch on August 6th in NYC. Audrey is also writing the book, Digital Mom$ (will be published by Harper Collins) with Colleen Padilla.
Fashion
Shoshanna Beaded White Necklace Dress, $385
I have been a fan of Shoshanna for years! Her dresses mix elegance, chicness and sexiness all together. I recently bought this gorgeous Beaded Necklace Dress for a few functions for the summer. I love the style, the fit and the relaxed feel of this perfect summer dress. I can wear this to a summer picnic or to an after-hours event – it’s perfection. I’ve always been a fan of wrinkled cotton fabric… the dress is soft, comfy and just a summer staple.
Beauty
Lauren Luke’s My Glossy Lips, $9
I have been using My Glossy Lips for over 6 months and I love it! Talk about a powerful lip gloss. It gives you shine, it lathers, it conditions and it stays put! I’m not really into wearing lipstick, but when I want a little color, all I do is use a lip liner and add my gloss. This stuff is truly amazing! It’s my go-to beauty product.
Accessory
Lands’ End Canvas Slub Cotton Scarf, $19.50
I’m a scarf girl. It doesn’t matter the season, I love to add scarves as my go-to accessory. I just change up the fabric on my scarves to fit the season. Lands’ End has the most luxurious jersey cotton scarves right now in the most magnificent colors. I love to add them to a basic white tank, denim and sandals. I have the yellow, orange, green/white stripe and orange/white stripe… such an easy and fabulous summer accessory staple. Not to mention, they’re long enough so you have the option to wear then in a variety of ways.
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Jane Schoenborn, Fashion Director Lilly Pullitzer
Janie Schoenborn’s love affair for Lilly Pulitzer started at a very young age. Coming from a family of Lilly wearers, Janie remembers that classic Lilly Shift her grandmother wore and loved so much. And so it began, an obsession for all things pink and green. Janie Schoenborn, joined the company in February 2006 and serves as Design Director for Print and Pattern, Brand Presentation and Accessories and Footwear. Janie leads the creative direction and fashion design of Lilly Pulitzer prints and accessories, which are designed to cater to the lifestyle needs of the affluent-at-ease. Sc hoenborn has over ten years experience in the fashion and beauty industries including stints at Adrienne Vittadini, Calvin Klein, and Barney’s New York. Janie also had her own company Buzz by Jane Fox, a preppy Florida-inspired handbag-turned-accessories company with distribution in major department stores and boutiques nationwide. While at Buzz by Jane Fox, Janie served as President and oversaw design, product development, production, sales and public relations. Janie resides in the Main Line area of Philadelphia with her two Lilly-loving daughters Sabrina and Tiki who enjoy spending time in their pink and green bedrooms…but of course!
Fashion: Raquel Dress Printed (in Classic White Shimmy Shell or True Blue Anchors Away), $258
I can’t wait for 4th of July. There is a relaxed attitude to this dress – while staying in theme (love a red, white and blue moment!) – that makes it the perfect choice for the holiday weekend. Just add sparklers. xx
Accessories: Set in Stone Wedge, $268
Am I the only one who has issues with the grass? Sinking is not chic. The answer? A WEDGE OF COURSE! This white stoned sandal goes with EVERYTHING…
Beauty: Capri Sun Shield Spray, $20
I am a devout fan of Oscar Blandi…in particular his GENIUS colorist Kyle White. When I started seeing him 6 years ago my golden locks were literally breaking! SO SCARY. Now I have the most golden-delicious waves of color and the strongest hair e-v-e-r. One lesson? One MUST protect the color. Must! My top choice?
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Kevin McLaughlin, Chief Creative Officer J. McLaughlin
Kevin McLaughlin is the creative force behind J. McLaughlin, the classic American fashion brand featuring bold colors, signature prints and timeless preppy designs with a twist.
Kevin’s taste and design sense have guided the J. McLaughlin collections since he and his brother Jay opened their first store in 1977. Now, with 44 locations in the U.S. Kevin continues to introduce new pieces each season that clients regard as instant icons: an amusing new hand-embroidered detail on crisp cotton swim trunks or a fresh and sassy variation on the best selling Catalina Print T-shirt for women and girls.
Kevin and his wife Barbara reside in Manhattan where his favorite weekends are spent trolling vintage boutiques with his 14 year old daughter. “She’s always picking out edgy stuff,” he notes “so we have a bit of a sartorial tug-o-war.”
Tips for Father’s Day Gift Giving:
This Father’s Day let your Dad know that you’ve put more thought into the gift than just the fashion advice of the golf pro. Go for a three color story: pick up a golf shirt for Dad but add a coordinating ribbon belt and a set of golf tees. It’s easy to grab something off the rack but if you think the gift through by adding a touch of the unexpected, your present may be something Dad will use year in and out.
Kevin’s Picks
Fashion: J. McLaughlin Cotton Madras Embroidered Devon Short $185
These shorts are an updated version of our classic madras and embroidery shorts. This year we applied embroidery to the madras pattern for a new twist on this timeless summer look for men. Head off Dad’s tendency to wear his embarrassing above-the-thigh tennis shorts from the 70’s this summer by getting him this sharp, can’t-go-wrong classic.
Accessory: Tretorn T-56 Canvas $55
Kevin McLaughlin: This white canvas sneaker will always be in style. It’s the perfect complement to a great pair of shorts and a polo or the way to dress down khakis and a button down for a summertime barbecue. It’s also a great gift to replace the pair of shoes the dog chewed up but Dad refuses to throw away.
Beauty: Geo F. Trumper Sandalwood Hard Shaving Soap in Wooden Bowl $30
Kevin McLaughlin: Based in London for more than 125 years everything at Geo F. Trumper is still made by hand to maintain the quality and exclusiveness that is the brand has been known for. To stay true to the company’s heritage use a badger brush to create your own lather and obtain a closer shave. Shaving becomes a luxurious ritual when you use a brush and great soap like this.
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ALEXANDRA “ALI” GALGANO, Founder of Charm & Chain
Alexandra “Ali” Galgano is a lifelong lover of all things sparkly. She believes that the right jewelry can take a basic wardrobe and transform it into something spectacular. With that philosophy in mind, Ali founded Charm & Chain to give others easy access to the type of fashionable, wearable art that she discovers at vintage shops, young designers’ markets, industry trade shows, and street fairs both in downtown Manhattan and around the world.
Ali graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies from Cornell University. She began her professional life in the financial services industry, but found herself spending most of her free time searching for vintage accessories, dreaming up her own designs, or fielding questions constantly about her unique jewelry. In 2007, she left her job to follow her passion. Ali is now a Graduate Gemologist and Accredited Jeweler with a certificate in Jewelry Design from the Gemological Institute of America. Ali saw a void in the world of e-commerce for costume jewelry and launched Charm & Chain in November 2008.
In addition to owning Charm & Chain, Ali owns a private Engagement Ring Consultant, engagednyc.com
ABOUT CHARM & CHAIN
Charm and Chain is an online jewelry boutique that directly connects fashion-forward shoppers with the world’s most exciting jewelry brands. The site’s collection of designers includes more than thirty artists from all parts of the globe, with a mix of established and emerging brands from Erickson Beamon and Badgley Mischka to Issy Salomon and Kendra Scott. CharmandChain.com aims to provide customers with jewelry across a wide spectrum of price points, styles and wearing occasions, without overwhelming them. The selection is carefully edited, offering only the most interesting pieces of the best designers. Whether your style is bold and colorful, or delicate and dainty, there is something for everyone on the site.
In November 2008, Charm and Chain was launched to fill a void in the world of online shopping. This unique site makes finding chic accessories from all over the globe possible in a one-stop-shop. The company’s founder, Ali Galgano, focuses on providing an intimate shopping experience. Attentive and personalized customer service makes things like exchanges and returns simple and headache-free, and picking out the perfect gift a pleasure. Ali’s Charm&Chain Blog keeps the site’s visitors up to date on trends and happenings in the world of fashionable jewels.
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Pegah Anvarian, Creative Director of Three Dots
Pegah Anvarian Joins Three Dots as Creative Director, as she says, “Downtown just met uptown, with an L.A. twist”
LOS ANGELES — Pegah Anvarian, best-know for her eponymous women’s fashion collection favored by starlets such as Charlize Theron, Jennifer Lopez and Nicole Richie, has joined Three Dots as the new Creative Director, effective immediately. Her first collection will debut at Coterie in New York for Fall 09.
As fans of her previous collections know, Pegah’s signature is draping, and her passion is mixing fabrics. “I love the hard and soft,” is how she describes her technique of combining soft, drapey fabrics with interesting structures and sophisticated fashion shapes. Her plans to bring in her own sense of style and mix it with the Three Dots aesthetic – which she describes as “casual cool” – will have an eye for the cutting edge, with simple structures and shapes that will work on every body type.
To help pinpoint her design aesthetic, she points to Ann Demeulemeester, Balmain and
Rick Owens as some of her favorite designers – “they say not so much, but a lot, at the same time.”
Sharon Lebon, Three Dots president and owner, feels that Pegah’s expertise in knitwear along with her aesthetic is a natural fit for the brand. “Pegah brings a wealth of innovative ideas and effusive energy to the company, and we’re excited to move the collection forward with her creative direction.”
Pegah’s decision to join Three Dots was informed by the amazing potential she sees for the brand, and for the ability to “create a lifestyle.” She’s most excited to bring in new innovation, new bodies, new shapes, new textures, new energy and a new customer, who she sees as a cross between a young, fun, edgy girl and a working woman who isn’t afraid to experiment.
Working with innovative fibers and fabrics is another Pegah signature, as she was one of the first designers to work with bamboo in 2000. “I like to mix fabrics in unexpected ways, like combining a knit with a woven to create a sophisticated, edgy look that is comfortable and wearable from day to night.”
A sneak peek at Three Dots’ Fall 09 collection introduces a sheer jersey that’s being specially knit for the line. With an unbelievably soft hand, the fabric lends itself to interesting color effects when layered – cool and warm tones mixed together to create new shades. Bringing in more of a fashion element, there are jackets constructed of tweed knit mixed with ponte, and exposed-zipper, high-waisted skirts to match. The color palette includes rich, saturated autumnal colors along with wintery pales.
Based in L.A. for the past decade, Pegah really “gets” Three Dots’ SoCal sensibility, and actually prefers designing in L.A. to New York (“in L.A., when you’re inspired, you really have time to think about it!”). She sees layering as a key to dressing here, and knows Three Dots lends itself to easy, comfortable layering pieces that you never want to take off.
Looking ahead, Pegah wants to bring in more fashion items such as jackets and pants, introduce bathing suits, more wovens, and eventually add accessories. She also wants to elevate Three Dots’ popularity in Europe and Asia. “I’m excited to bring in a new customer base, while designing pieces the current Three Dots devotee will also love.”
Pegah, who is self taught, began her career as a stylist, and feels her styling background really taught her “what people’s bodies are like, and how to design pieces that look good on all different shapes and sizes.” Her big break came in 1997 as the head stylist for The B-52s, and a couple of years later she made a few dresses and tops out of a roll of cashmere she dyed and draped on herself. When she wore the pieces out, people went nuts, literally buying them off of her body. She showed those first few pieces to Henri Bendel’s, who wrote a huge order, and from that day forward, her fashion design career organically blossomed.
She’s inspired at home, too. Her husband is fashion photographer Andrew Macpherson who’s worked with Galliano, Theirry Mugler and Alaia, and his pictures and creativity continue to motivate her every day.
About Three Dots
Three Dots is an evolving concept in lifestyle dressing based on the perfect execution of a simple idea. Founded by Sharon Lebon in 1995 in California, the concept behind Three Dots was to “create the perfect t-shirt” – great fabrics, inspired design, fastidious construction and fit. Though this concept is still the very soul of the company, Three Dots is now a multi-million dollar company with a healthy and increasing global distribution and an expanded product range that includes women’s wear, men’s wear, and maternity.
Three Dots can be found in top boutiques stores across the U.S., such as Fred Segal Couture, and the company has a free standing store in Tokyo’s fashionable Daikanyama district. The brand also sells in Europe, Asia, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
REBECCA TAYLOR, Designer
Growing up on the beaches of New Zealand, an early childhood interest in sewing and costume design sparked a fascination with the fashion industry. Rebecca Taylor arrived in NYC after graduating from the Wellington School of design, and has been designing her signature collection since 1996.
The Rebecca Taylor collection is best known for providing the eternally evolving modern girl with fresh, feminine clothing to compliment and refine her individual sense of style. Playful use of color, prints and textures in silhouettes that enhance a spirited lifestyle have cultivated a vast celebrity clientele to include Reese Witherspoon, Katherine Heigl, Rachel Bilson, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicole Richie, and Vanessa Hudgens, to name a few. Through a series of collaborations and partnerships, the collection has grown to offer handbags, shoes, jewelry, eyewear, swim, and a “pink label” collection created exclusively for Rebecca Taylor retail stores.
Rebecca Taylor is now distributed in over 40 countries, and 250 cities world-wide. The collection can be found globally in about 500 outposts including better contemporary boutiques, select department stores, leading e-commerce sites, and Rebecca Taylor retail stores in Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and a flagship store in Manhattan’s NoLita.
Rebecca is an avid supporter of the ASPCA and only uses ethical furs in her collections. Other philanthropies include the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation, the North Shore Animal League, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Phoenix House, CFDA Fashion for Action, the Children’s Dream Foundation, and is a co-chair for the NYC Shop for Opera benefit.
Over the past 13 years, Rebecca Taylor has been featured internationally in numerous leading publications such as Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Elle, Glamour, W, Nylon, Marie Claire and In-Style. In the year 2000, she was nominated for the prestigious CFDA Perry Ellis award for emerging new talent.
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TRACY REESE, Designer
With an innate desire to create beautiful things, Detroit native Tracy Reese headed for Manhattan in 1982 to attend Parsons School of Design where she received an accelerated degree in 1984. Upon graduation, Reese apprenticed under designer Martine Sitbon while working for the small contemporary firm, Arlequin. Reese worked at some of the industry’s top fashion houses, including Perry Ellis where she was the design director for Women’s Portfolio.
In Spring 1998, Reese launched her eponymous collection to rave reviews. Perfect for the modern woman, Reese’s debut showcased ultra-feminine pieces layered with intelligent nostalgia, charm and luxury; a distinctive look that the designer has since become known for.
The designer’s second line, plenty by Tracy Reese, was introduced later that same year. A bohemian, ethnic-inspired collection that is of-the-moment, yet never trendy, plenty by Tracy Reese comprises pieces that unite myth and modernity with a rock-and-roll twist. The collection is both eclectic and adventurous, featuring Reese’s signature detailing.
In 2007 Reese was inducted as a board member of the CFDA; and over the past decade, the Tracy Reese name has become synonymous with frothy dresses and print driven heirloom fare that women across the globe can’t get enough of. Reese’s eye for detail and extensive knowledge of color, fabric and form continue to be evident each season as she consistently reveals timeless, wearable looks that evoke sophistication and elegance. Reese’s approach is deliberate, combining modern craftsmanship with vintage flair, creating a look that is clearly her own.
Both Tracy Reese and plenty by Tracy Reese have expanded into several brand categories. Tracy Reese footwear features ladylike silhouettes in luxurious leathers with exquisite detailing; while the whimsical, feminine and eclectic, plenty brand now includes a home collection, candles and footwear launching for fall 2010. Reese added a third collection to her line up, frock!, comprised of fun and flirty occasion dresses that easily transition from day to evening.
In the spring of 2006, Reese opened her first Flagship Boutique located at 641 Hudson Street in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District. A gorgeous 2200 square-foot space that is as colorful and feminine as her designs, the shop offers the full Tracy Reese experience including her apparel lines, accessories and home goods.
Tracy Reese has become a mainstay in the fashion industry as she continues to develop a strong design philosophy by staying true to her specific point of view. Reese has collaborated with several top brands including Sally Hansen, Hue and a line of footwear, plenty by Tracy Reese for Keds that debuted in spring 2009.
Bright colors, unique prints and intricate patterns define Tracy Reese, plenty and frock! A consistent fashion favorite amongst industry insiders, celebrities and fashionistas alike, Reese crafts finely detailed looks that make a statement and are easy to wear, garnering the attention of the nation’s top media.
Tracy Reese, plenty and frock! are sold nationwide in top department stores and specialty boutiques including Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Anthropologie as well as retailers throughout Europe and Asia.
Previous Guest Editors:
• Shoshanna
• Sarah Howard
• Trina Turk
• Josie Maran
• Kim Kardashian
• Sasha Charnin Morrison
