Female powerhouse issue
november 2015
novemb Female powerhouse issue
004-009 Inside Scoop on Diane von Furstenberg Adam Bryant 010-011 Meet Emily Jordan Jackie Kahn 012-013 The World of SEJ 014-015 The Clique Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide 016-017 A Look into JZ Soraya Bakhtiar 018-023 The Evolution of the Wrap Dress Susannah Tanremsapya
ber
diane
n o p o o c inside s g r e b n e t s r u f von By: Adam Bryant
clique november 2015
005 005
B
s s e c c u s dvf key to
ryant: You’ve said many times that your mother was your biggest influence. What are the most important lessons you learned from her? DVF: My mother was a Holocaust survivor and, having survived 13 months in the concentration camps, she taught me that fear is not an option. And no matter what happens, never be a victim. Life is a journey, and when you face obstacles the only thing you can do is accept them and embrace thing you can do is accept them and embrace the reality. Very often, with things that are bad or not what you wanted, it’s your job to turn them into something positive. The next big lesson I learned for myself, very early in life, is that I realized that the most important relationship is the one you have with yourself. If you figure that out, every other relationship is a plus and not a must.
l r i g f v d the
clique november 2015
007 007 005 005
Bryant: How has your leadership style evolved? DVF: I don’t think I have ever learned how to manage people. I was a young girl who came to America and lived an American dream. I became an entrepreneur and a founder and had a big business at a very early age, and so I never learned about it. I always used my instinct, which is probably my biggest quality and my biggest fault. I am not a good C.E.O., but I have the passion and the force of a founder, and therefore I can make things happen. I can inspire people and motivate people. Bryant: How do you get the best work out of creative teams on your staff? DVF: I think the most important thing is to believe in what you do. And identifying a goal, to have clarity, is very important. You cannot fake clarity. When you don’t have clarity, you don’t. And then all of a sudden, the fog lifts and you’re clear. It’s very important to constantly try to look for clarity, like pruning a tree or cleaning the plumbing. Bryant: How do you hire? What qualities do you look for? DVF: For me, the most important things are somebody who’s honest, not pretentious, not a faker. But you never know. You make so many mistakes. But again, life is a journey. It’s like a train. The landscape changes. People come in, people leave. It’s the life of a person, it’s the life of a business. Bryant: What questions do you ask? DVF: It depends what kind of a job it is. My problem is that when I interview somebody, I talk too much. That is something that I shouldn’t do. You should listen, and you should listen to what the person says. I try to basically ask them why they think this is a good job for them. Usually when you understand why it’s a good fit for them, then you can identify if it’s a good fit for you. Bryant: What career and life advice do you give to college graduates? DVF: I tell them that the most important thing you can do is to do something you like and be sure that you’re true to yourself. The worst thing in life is doing something because you think that somebody wants you to do it. At least if you do things because you think you should do them, then it’s O.K. if you make a mistake. It’s easier to swallow because it was your decision. Bryant: You’ve had such a roller coaster life of great successes, as well as some pretty dark times. How did you manage through all that?
DVF: I’m still managing through it. First of all, let’s talk about success. I lived an American dream. I was very lucky because I was very successful at 25 years old. Now it’s very common for that to happen in Silicon Valley. But at the time, it was not so common, and I was a woman and I was very young. So the first thing that success gives you is financial independence. That’s great. The second thing that success gives you is a voice. You have a voice. All of a sudden, people listen to you, pay attention to what you say. And what I feel is that if you acquire that, it’s your duty, responsibility and also privilege to use that voice for people who have no voice. That’s my description of success. Now we go to failure. What does failure mean? You didn’t make it? So you didn’t make it. But by not making it, maybe you learned something else. America is a society where you always have a chance and where you can always make a comeback. So I would say that failure sometimes could be your biggest asset. Bryant: You’ve talked a lot over the years about how your brand is about helping women feel confident. That word also comes up a lot in discussions about women and leadership, and that many women feel less self-assured than men. What is your take on that? DVF: I don’t think confidence has anything to do with gender. To be confident or secure has nothing to do with gender. Can you fake being confident? No. That’s the worst because then you look like an idiot. You have to trust yourself. That’s the most important thing. In order to trust yourself, you have to have a relationship with yourself. In order to have a relationship with yourself, you have to be hard on yourself, and not be delusional. It all goes back to the same thing.
“I think the most important thing is to believe in what you do. ” - DVF Bryant: Do you think that the constant tug of our computers and smartphones makes it harder for people to create space to build that relationship with themselves?
with yourself is everywhere, every moment of the day — to be able to be alone, to be able to think, to be able to count on yourself, to be able to console yourself, to be able to inspire yourself, to be able to give yourself advice. You are your best friend.
DVF: No. I think the relationship you have
clique november 2015
009 009
n a d r o j y l meet emi
Starting a line at 18-years-old and balancing school is hard, but Emily d Jordan Gerstein is beyond qualifie to get the job done.
a
By: Jackie Kahn
“ s far back as I can remember I have always been concerned about what I have worn. I was 4 years old, living in New York and refused to wear pants in 20 degree weather.” Fashion designer, Emily Gerstein clearly had an interest in fashion from a very young age. To take her passion one-step further, she created a fashion brand of her own, Emily Jordan. In past summers, Emily has interned and later worked for a handbag designer known as Jennifer Haley. She claims that it was this opportunity that spurred her motivation to take a dive into the business world. As founder and CEO of Emily Jordan (www. shopemilyjordan.com), Emily operates her company in full and decides on the details of her brand. She enjoys the exclusiveness of running it from the perspective of a creator and a business personality. “This venture has given me the opportunity to express and experiment with all of my passions in life: Art, Fashion, and Business.” As of now, some of the pieces featured on her website include the “All Day Top”, “Namaste Headband”, and a variety of tassel necklaces.
that can be featured on her site. An ultimate goal for Emily is to eventually see her designs in retail; specifically seeing them in the “3 B’s: Bergdorf Goodman, Barneys, and Bloomingdales!” With big dreams, lots of dedication, and hard work, achieving these goals is attainable. Emily is striving to one day be like fashion designers Tory Burch and Diane von Furstenberg with whom she looks up to. She claims they are the “epitome of what [she] strive[s] to achieve. They are both strong business women with a distinct voice in the fashion industry and both love print just like me!” All of these prints have background stories and inspirations that she incorporates in her fashion. Lastly, a piece of advice from Emily
for those who want to take their passion to the next level: “If you have the passion and you are willing to put in research and hard work, then stay the course and make your vision reality.”
“If you have the passion and you are willing to put in research and hard work, then stay the course and make your vision reality.” - emily gerstein
These pieces all have original designs that Emily has crafted in a unique process. The textiles are inspired by “organic and bohemian attributes with fluid lines and brushstrokes.” She then scans her paintings and rearranges the colors and tessellations on the computer. Seeing her designs come to life inspires Emily. Her personal favorite from her clothing line is the “Emily Jordan” print of the “All Day Top”. She claims that it was the print that sparked the launch of Emily Jordan. As a fashion designer, her favorite way to style her “All Day Top” is with “a pair of cut off shorts or skinny jeans, a fun shoe and a tassel necklace!” All of her favorites are located on her site so her customers have an easy approach to these exact pieces that she loves to wear. The future for Emily Jordan has much to look forward to. Soon Emily Jordan will be international with the hopes of spreading her designs with the world. Currently she is also working with her manufacturer in developing other styles
clique november 2015
011 011
j e s f o d l r o the w clique november 2015
013 013
1 3
4
2
5
the clique ultimate gift guide 1. diane von furstenberg “The Woman I Wanted to Be” book, $26.00, www.dvf.com 2. emily jordan “Aurora Haut”, $128.00, emily jordan “RB Tee” , $48.00 www.shopemilyjordan.com 3. jennifer zeuner “Luz Earrings”, $187.00, www.jenniferzeuner.com 4.jennifer haley “Micro Mini Tan Suede Bohemian” bag, $396.00, www.shopjenniferhaley.com 5. emily jordan “Glen Spey Silk Scarf”, $68.00, www.shopemilyjordan.com
clique november 2015
015 015
A L oo
passion for design/fashion from a young age. When I was a young girl I longed to be a clothing designer. My father manufactured clothing and I grew up not just reading but collecting WWD and Vogue magazines. My favorite place to hang out was my father’s factory. I attended Tufts University in Massachusetts at seventeen to study psychology and communications. After graduating I pursued public relations and worked in a PR firm in Miami, where I honed the marketing skills that I would need when I did start my own company. PR taught me a lot of the tools necessary for marketing my own jewelry line. Public relations was challenging and fun but didn’t satisfy my urge to be artistic. After a PR career hiatus to raise my children, I started designing and making jewelry from my home. Initially it was a creative outlet/hobby; a quiet escape from raising two young boys. It satisfied my need to literally “create” with my hands. I didn’t envision it becoming a profitable, “real” business. However, it quickly became a full time job as the orders started coming in. My line’s aesthetic evolved from hand-made, beaded and bohemian to more classic and sophisticated. The metamorphosis was a huge success. Fast-forward almost nine years, Jennifer Zeuner Jewelry is now sold at exclusive, high-end retailers such as Neiman Marcus, Saks, Bergdorf Goodman, Shopbop and Intermix. The line is mostly manufactured in NYC.
h
ow to become a succesful entrepreneur and jewelry designer, and a mother of four, is still something I’d like to figure out for the future. I’d like to thank New York City-based Jennifer Zeuner for setting the bar so high, WAY too high. I met Jennifer in Paris during Haute-Couture Fashion Week in July and without knowing it we stayed at the same hotel in Saint-Germain. It was fate. The next day, we went for breakfast and told me her story and how today Jennifer Zeuner has become one of the best-selling jewelry brands out there. I already owned a few pieces long before I became a blogger. Just when the Hills was still airing, when Audrina was still hooked on Justin and when Lauren Conrad was
wearing her initial necklace on screen. Remember that? Jennifer’s pieces are always very delicate and timeless which is what makes them so special. Anyone, at any age can wear them and keep them for years. On that note and I know it’s been a while, here’s one my favorite things about this blog: interviewing designers that I love and share their story with you. I always find it truly inspirational… Bakhtiar: Jennifer, can you please tell us a little bit more about your career and what made you decide to launch a jewelry line? You do have an interesting story… Zeuner: I was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico and I always had a
Bakhtiar: What does “Jennifer Zeuner – the brand”, symbolizes? How would you describe it? Zeuner: My new collection fuses modern, spiritual and wearable seamlessly. It incorporates a lot of symbolic shapes in surprising ways. This was achieved while still maintaining the collection’s trademark simplicity. The pieces can speak for themselves or be layered. The same piece can reflect a different mood when layered and/or worn differently. The jewelry allows women to be creative with it. The collection is not about a single statement piece. It’s about the conscious, personalized combination of different pieces. Ultimately, it tells a story. Bakhtiar: And where do you draw inspiration from? Zeuner: From everything! I love modern architecture and its clean lines, which is
z J o t i n oo k By: Soraya Bakhtiar
evident in my jewelry. I also love vintage modern jewelry such as Lanvin. I’m also inspired by spiritual elements and their corresponding symbols.
“Sometimes less is more and sometimes more is more.” -
jennifer zeuner
Bakhtiar: So in a nutshell, from your source of inspiration into the jewelry makings, what are the steps into creating one of your pieces? Zeuner: When I get an idea, which happens at least 5 times a week I write it down in my journal. I then organize ideas by season. Some ideas are better for spring and some for winter. I then draw them out and have my manufacturer create the pendant. Usually, I make 2-3 changes to the pendant. Once the pendant is made, I calculate if I will make it smaller for a lariat or earrings. I then figure out the chains and stones I will attach to each pendant. It’s a very unpredictable process with a lot of “back and forth” and it certainly changes every season. Bakhtiar: And what’s been your best-seller so far ? Zeuner: Right now our best sellers are all the lariats. People consider them to be a “sexy”.
Bakhtiar: We met in Paris at La Societé in Saint-Germain, but what are some of your restaurants New York in Miami? Zeuner: In Miami I love Cecconi’s at The Soho House. I also love walking up and down Lincoln road. In New York City, I love walking around Soho and grabbing a bite at the neighborhood restaurant Jack’s Wife Freda.
Beyonce, Halle Berry, Alessandra Ambrosio, Miranda Kerr, Doutzen Kroes and Zoe Saldana, just to name a few! Bakhtiar: What do you think of this saying: “Less is more” ? Does it apply to jewelry according to you? Zeuner: Sometimes less is more and sometimes more is more. It really depends on the mood you’re in. Ultimately, people with great style listen to their gut and know what feels right at that moment. You can tell their style is authentic. You can’t really follow trends when it comes to jewelry. It’s too personal. The story it tells is very personal.
Bakhtiar: Today, being a mom of four and a successful jewelry designer, what do you enjoy doing in your spare time? Zeuner: I enjoy going to the beach with all the kids and spending time with family and friends. We are also big Miami Heat fans so during basketball season we don’t miss a game! Bakhtiar: Do you have any exciting projects for the future that you’d like to share with my readers? Zeuner: We are excited to offer more jewelry for men. We just offer a few pieces and they have been a great hit. We are also exploring a collaboration with an esteemed trend setter from London.
how to care for your jz Jewelry can last you a lifetime. Here are six quick tips to ensure that every piece stays looking brand new! By jennifer zeuner jewelry ONE: Avoid direct contact with perfume or other sprays. TWO: Remove your jewelry when showering, swimming or exercising.
THREE: Jewelry should not be placed in water for an extended
Bakhtiar: And is there one piece that you never take off? Zeuner: I never take off my reversible hand/eye necklace, I love that I can tuck it in my shirt and no one has to see it. It’s a piece of jewelry that after wearing it for 8 years has become a part of me.
period of time.
Bakhtiar: Just because we love to know who’s wearing what, which are some of the celebs that have worn your pieces? Zeuner: Jessica Alba, Cameron Diaz, Sarah Jessica Parker (as seen on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar Sept. Issue), Rihanna,
hanging separately to prevent tangled chains and scratched surfaces.
FOUR: Do not throw or drop jewelry onto hard surfaces. FIVE: To clean, polish with a soft dry cloth, preferably a jewelry cloth.
SIX: Jewelry should be stored in the original bags with chain clique november 2015
017 017
the
f o n o i t evolu s s e r d s s p e tthhee wwrraap dr By: Susannah Tantemsapya
clique november 2015
019 019
Journey of a Dress during the opening. When asked, “Why Los Angeles?” she responded that the city is “very much popular culture and this dress is popular culture… my life is a movie, life is a movie, that’s why we love Hollywood.” There are numerous portraits of the designer by Andy Warhol, Barbara Kruger, Chuck Close, Francesco Clemente, Helmut Newton, and Annie Leibovitz. Artworks by Anh Duong, Zhang Huan, and Li Songsong are featured alongside a new piece by Dustin Yellin entitled A Ghost May Come. “It’s from a Ginsberg poem… it’s like a floating apparition of a dress floating in space like a ghost,” said Yellin. “I used a lot of found objects. I cut up books and magazines, which is what I always use for a lot of the work I do. I also went into Diane’s archive and pulled stuff that I can hide inside to tell a hidden story for people who want to look deeper, find out things about her life and her past.” Whitewall spoke with Fashion Curator Michael Hertz about his involvement in “Journey of a Dress.”
d
iane von Furstenberg’s “Journey of a Dress” opened last month in Los Angeles. In celebration of the 40th anniversary of DVF’s iconic wrap dress, it showcases 200 of the most important dresses from her archives. The customized mannequins were designed by Ralph Pucci, making up a self-described Terracotta Army resembling DVF’s strong nose and bone-structure while posed in the same style as Michelangelo’s David. The Studio 54 atmosphere has DVF prints from floor-to-ceiling executed by exhibition designer Bill Katz. There is a timeline of DVF’s life alongside the evolution of her signature wrap dress as a cultural phenomenon. DVF’s confidence, humor, and humility were evident as she addressed the crowd
WHITEWALL: What was it like when you first went into the DVF archives? MICHAEL HERTZ: I read Diane’s autobiography about two weeks before I went to the archives. Already it was quite intimidating. When I got there, immediately I was so welcomed. She was so warm and lovely. And then she took me down to the basement into the archive itself. Of course, I was just giddy, so excited to be allowed in to see all these things. And then, once that had all been digested, it was like, ‘Where do you start?’ Because there were so many things other than wrap dresses already down there. There was lots of visual and archive imagery, but then I couldn’t find the dress. Which is why a few of them have been remade, but they were remade from photographs of dresses I found in the archives. For whatever reason, either Diane didn’t have one or we couldn’t source one from someone else, so we remade them for the exhibition. WHITEWALL: Diane mentioned you tried on some dresses? MICHAEL HERTZ: : That was quite funny because Diane was reading to
clique november 2015
021 021
me. She said, “Come here!” She was sitting down and reading a chapter from her new biography. I’m listening to this and I’m distracted by the dresses, and I put a palm print long gown on. She looked up and said, “Now I see you in the dress, I know you get it” [laughs]. But, no I couldn’t resist, I would only do it in private. That’s how relaxed and comfortable I felt, straight away in her presence. She’s a very, very generous person. I wrote a list of things to help me, I’m quite methodical. I wrote it all down, what I was thinking about Diane, about her work and the word I kept coming up with is “freedom.” The material was a sense of freedom, it’s jersey, you move really easily in it. It was at a time of Women’s Liberation. Certainly in America, as opposed to what was happening in Europe, women are having jobs, not just jobs, but high profile jobs. They were becoming heads of companies, running their own businesses, and they were mothers, the drivers, the cook… It was a great moment in freedom. And she was allowing me the freedom into her home, archives and saying, “Okay, you put your ideas together.” It’s always a conversation with Diane. She never bulldozes you into a corner and says “You’ve got to do this.” She gives you that freedom to be creative. If she doesn’t like something, she’ll tell you. She’s also open to be persuaded the other way around. I think the only way I’ve managed to do this, is that it never occurred to me how big it was going to be. In my mind, it was just a little thing that she was doing, so I just kept doing it, little by little. It was only until I got here and thought, “This is huge.” I was looking at a little scale model. Even the sound of 200 dresses didn’t sound a lot, but it is when you have to categorize them and lay them out. I’m glad I didn’t have all of that in my head. It was literally, enjoy yourself, look at the stuff and play! We had so much fun doing it. This free exhibition was located in the historic Wilshire May Company Building and on view until April 2014. The Instagram Booth on site gives viewers a print of their post by using #journeyofadress. Everyone can share their experience with the iconic wrap dress at DVF.com/WrapStory.
clique november 2015
023 023