Posts by Heather:
Diane von Furstenberg: A Moment To Remember
November 16th, 2011
Actually, it was not just a moment that I spent with Diane von Furstenberg, but more like a half an hour. Once I arrived at Nordstrom, my heart felt like it might pound its way right out of my Cacherel (gorgeous navy wool-knit number) covered chest, but my will for confident casual dignity would prevail, and so I sashayed my way up to the “secret” top floor and into the designated interview space. Immediately through the door, I come face-to-face with a distinguished yet familiar face: John Bailey Nordstrom’s Senior Fashion Public Relations Specialist whose career started along side mine some sixteen years prior right there at South Coast Plaza. It was one of those “I know I know you” finger pointing moments for both of us. Within seconds of brief question/answer, we figured it out, and Miss Diane herself just an arms length away taking it all in. A little embarrassed and definitely star-struck (which is a new one for me) I smiled and turned towards the refreshment table where I’d been offered a bite and snagged a bottled water instead.
Within minutes, more press began to file in, and we took our seats on cool little white leather ottomans. Totally at ease, Diane picks up the Diane fragranced lotion and, as she applies it to her amazingly fit arms and hands, begins to describe its ingredients and the hows and whys they were chosen. I was so transfixed by her elegance in this simple act that it was hard to concentrate on her words. Right at that La-La Land moment, Diane must have noticed me staring at her and she handed me the bottle, and so of course I followed suit. It was rich and creamy and the fragrance was indeed what she had just mentioned she wanted to achieve: A Classic. Soft yet distinguishable and “clean like the sun.” I’ve never heard the sun described as clean, but it seemed to make sense, and let’s face it, with her gorgeous accent, Diane can make anything she says sound extraordinary.
It was a bit of a toe-tapper anticipating my one-one-one, but before I knew it, all present were escorted out the door to wait their turn as Diane motioned to me to stay and “go first.” Absolutely my pleasure in deed! It seems I was paying attention to her brief intro, and the fact that within her fragrance is her love of life. Well I wanted to know just what makes her love life so much. Her children, of course, her “third child,” Diane von Furstenberg clothing line, and nature. She continued on to explain that her mission in life now is to empower women through mentoring and philanthropic efforts. It’s fair to say that Diane does empower women. She is glamorous, poised, hardworking, AND she’s the president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Ladies, it doesn’t get much better than that, and for me, this will be the interview and scent to remember.
Buy the new scent Diane by Diane von Furstenberg here.
Rachel Roy
October 21st, 2011About a month ago I received a casual e-mail from the wonderful Summer Bellessa Editor-in-Chief of Eliza, inquiring if I’d like to interview Diane von Furstenberg and do a write-up for Eliza. Staring at my e-mails with my index finger tapping my pursed lips, I casually replied something like “Sure.” Well it gets better: not only is an interview with Diane now on my fashion-writer calendar, but I also had the pleasure of interviewing the adorable Rachel Roy and sitting front-and-center at her fashion show.
It was a gorgeous cool but sunny day, and feeling very important as a Miss Jane Gillespie head of PR for Newport Beach’s world-renown Fashion Island escorted me to my front-row seat, it was time to “soak it all in.” Within minutes, the models came traipsing down the runway with hair a chic version of Laura from Little House On The Prairie duplicating the style from Rachel Roy’s Lincoln center presentation, and looks that were amazing. I became obsessed with Rachel’s use of Mongolian wool; its long wavy softness added such a yummy element to her cardigans and sleeveless wool-knit sweaters. In fact, speaking of Mongolia, her color story and looks had a nomadic feel – lots of bright colors mixed with deep earth tones and all legs in opaque black tights finished with thick wool socks scrunched down around a lacey peep-toe booty. Certainly very cool-chic. The fashion show concluded and now it was time for my one-on-one!!
Although Rachel may live and work in the midst of Manhattan, she exudes the fresh-faced California-girl this world loves. Rachel is also a single-mom with the single-mom traits I adore: strength; humility; love. She is more down-to-earth than one could ever imagine, and her grace was almost palpable. Her genuine engaging interest in our interview delighted me, and it’s quite possible that she asked me more personal questions than I asked her.
When I presented Rachel with a past copy of Eliza Magazine and continued to explain why the beautiful Summer Bellessa started this endeavor, she became quite contemplative and stated how she “loved that it had a purpose.” It was apparent to me that Rachel instantly “got it” and this made me adore her even more.
Of course I had to ask her about what she missed most about California and some of her favorite pastimes and this is what she had to say: “More than anything I miss the ocean and just how vast it is and the possibilities that come to mind when looking at it….” Like many of us girls, she talked a lot with her hands and spoke with her eyes and while she said this about our beloved Pacific, I “got it.” Currently her two favorite pastimes include: Fluffy soft bed sheets and cuddling with her two little ones. She also loves “sharing a good meal with friends who will not past judgment” when she tells of her insecurities and concerns. Hearing this really resonated with me, as it would with anyone, making me thankful for the people in my life whom I love and trust.
Truly inspired and uplifted is how I would define my interview with Rachel Roy. The fact that she is also a fabulous designer is simply the icing on the cake.