Photographers and other agents love and respect her for her honesty, good humour and utter lack of BS. Chalk it up to her Southern upbringing and lack of time as she’s busy making millions for her roster. She also prefers the phone to email (no one talks anymore!) so give her a call, we’re sure she has more to say… On satisfactions and challenges… The most satisfying days are the 1st and 15th of the month. The most challenging are all the other days of the month.
On dealing with stress… It used to be alcohol (joke!) but now T.M., SoulCycle, my Thai Boxing trainer Mike Medrano, and fitness holidays help me deal with stress. Shows are high intensity, short-spurt stress, while the other times of the year are more of a steady stress. It’s about keeping all your balls up in the air, and for the most part, it all works. I am grateful for the people I am fortunate to work with who keep me laughing.
On the new season… It’s like going back to school. Summer is over everyone comes back from vacation with their stories and new clothes!
On her ethos… I think it comes from both instinct and experience. I believe for sure it’s partly what’s in me: the caretaker, organiser, the doer, the fixer. But I’ve also been around for a while (25 years), so I have touched a few hot stoves and learned from of lots and lots of practice.
On building relationships in the business… The most annoying thing I find in the young people that are in this business is that no one knows anyone. No one picks up a phone anymore, there’s too many emails! This business is built on relationships and people. I still believe that’s the way forward. Pick up the phone, kids. Go out! Meet people! Good ole networking works. Also have a great knowledge of history will get you far; fashion is sort of a social anthropology.
On the industry’s evolution… I think the fashion business is constantly changing and evolving. Creatively, change and growth are more difficult I think because it is all about money now, for sure. The true magic, I suppose, is to be super talented and super clever.
Credits
Text Chris Barnard
Photography Mario Sorrenti Studio