Say who you are…
First and foremost I am a storyteller. And for the past 20 years, the stories I love to tell most have to do with the world of fashion and luxury. I take great pleasure in using all the different platforms available to me to help shine a light on the up-and-coming artists and established creators who work so tirelessly in this field. From articles in traditional media like The New York Times, Vogue, and ODDA magazine to the social media sphere. I post #60secondfashionreviews on Instagram, do one-on-one interviews with designers on my Fashion Your Seatbelt podcast, my real-time fashion show reaction videos live on YouTube, and my latest passion is Clubhouse. There I founded the Fashion Round Table club and host weekly conversations about all the latest happenings in fashion.
Outside of work, I am the mother of three amazing daughters who inspire me every day. I am still totally in love with my French husband (we are going to be celebrating 25 years of marriage this summer) and I am surrounded by animals. Four dogs, three horses, and two cats. It is quite a full house, but I love it.
The biggest or most important fight you had in your life?
For me, the fight has always been about finding a balance between work and life. To make sure that I am an example that my daughters can be proud of. That they see how hard I work, but that I do a job that I love to my core. I want to lead by example by living with integrity, kindness, and honesty. I am still battling with trying to please everyone and do everything. Learning how to say “no” to things has been a real challenge for me. I am a bit of a people pleaser. But I have discovered that saying know can be a very powerful thing, and it can lead to some amazing things.
Aren’t we all a mix of shadows and lights? What are yours?
I am very lucky as I am an extremely positive person. I always tend to see the best in people and situations. Sometimes that can lead to me being taken advantage of. But I would rather believe in the good in people first and then let their behavior reveal their true nature to me. Life is too short not to look on the bright side. And I also believe in karma. What you put out there into the universe is what you will receive.
The moment you reveal your strength the more vividly?
I am extremely driven. I like to dive in and get things done. But I also like to work in a compassionate and collective way. I feel like my strength, my joy really, comes from helping to lift other people up. To help them to succeed, reach their goals, and fulfill their dreams. It makes me so happy to see how so many of the people I have written about in the past or trained during my career have gone on to do amazing things with their lives. I hope that I helped in some small way in their journey to happiness.
Everyone as a conviction, a statement guiding our path, what is yours?
My motto is “ask for forgiveness, not permission.” For me, life is all about getting out there and doing things. Trying out new ideas, stretching yourself as a creative, as a human being. You are not going to be successful at everything but the only way you are sure to fail is if you never try in the first place. You have to dare. We only have one life on this little blue planet and you have to make the most of it. Because I promise, each year goes by faster than the last one.
Mind Upload is the beginning of our heroine’s story. Our heroine ALYH downloads her mind into a universe in which she evolves and surpasses herself. What abilities would you develop if you were offered this adventure?
Honestly, I wish I could have a hard drive memory. I feel like I have a goldfish brain. I do regret not having written in a journal all these years. So many moments have been lost to the sands of time. And if there was any way we could figure out how to make a 24-hour day last longer...There are so many books I would love to have time to read, hobbies I would like to try out.
Enter into your safe space, like ALYH who creates by her imagination a world between solar punk and brutalism. What would yours look like?
My safe space, now and always, is my bedroom. My bed really. It’s there that I dream, work, and do other things. I always feel the most at ease there, fully myself, no judgment. Just me.
Never renounce to: What would you say to your best friend or child?
Always listen to that inner voice. Let it guide you. Follow your instincts because even if things don’t turn out the way you hoped it would at least you lead with your heart and mind, and not that of others trying to influence you. And don’t forget to take time for yourself. It is so important to nurture yourself so you can then better help others.
The best?
That I raised three incredibly strong, independent, free-thinking, powerful, and funny daughters. I know that they are going to be unstoppable. They will follow their passions and live their lives with purpose and generosity of spirit. The greatest gift I can leave this world is these three absolutely brilliant women.
