Chilling in the Rebecca Minkoff Showroom
Minkette Muse is the most recent addition to the Rebecca Minkoff media team. Manned by publicist extraordinaire Emily Hagman, Minkette Muse’s daily updates on Twitter [follow her here] have become the go to source for the inside beat on all things Minkoff.
We sat down with this budding social influencer to get her take on PR, being a Minkette, and what she’s doing when she’s not working for our favorite handbag designer.
What is a Minkette to You?
Minkette Muse: A Minkette is a chic downtown girl who celebrates her individual creativity when it comes to her wardrobe – she channels her vision through fashion, art, music, and culture. A Minkette always stands apart from the crowd!
Rebecca truly embodies this aesthetic and I look to her every day for distinctive style tips and ideas. I consider myself very lucky to work in the same office with such a fashion maven!
How Did You Get into Fashion PR?
Minkette Muse: It was always a natural progression for me after majoring in textile marketing and brand management at North Carolina State University (Go Wolfpack!!!). I set my sights on becoming a fashion publicist and charged after it like a bull. I secured a couple of wonderfully challenging internships at various Fashion PR agencies throughout the city after I graduated. Empowered with knowledge from those experiences, I became a member of the work force and eventually made my home at Rebecca Minkoff. This industry is not for those afraid of a little sweat and tears but once you thicken your skin, grasp how the world of fashion PR operates and make a few great friends, everything else becomes second nature.
Favorite PR Event to Date?
Minkette Muse: The farewell event to MBFW at Bryant Park following the closing of Fashion Week SS11 was unforgettable. Bryant Park secured itself a huge place in history for all of the accomplishments that were achieved by the fashion industry inside of those tents. It was a tremendous honor to be there to watch it go out with a colossal, bass thumping, champagne sipping, celebratory bang.
Tell us a Little Bit About Your Job and Why You Love It?
Minkette Muse: I spend my day in the most inspirational work environment, surrounded by completely brilliant, creative, and talented people. With all of the expansion happening within the world of Minkoff, to say that there is never a dull moment in our office would be an understatement – plus coming to work every day is a treat that I never take for granted. Many of my closest friends, I’ve made here at work. We all hangout outside of work and there’s a ton of laughter in the office every day. It’s extremely contagious.
Duncan, The Minkette Pup
Before Summer Fridays commenced this year (Hooray SUMMER!) we implemented “Dog Fridays” where we’d all bring our pooches into the office, this is my little guy, Duncan. I got him when I was in college- he was only supposed to be 16 pounds and he’s 30 but he’s the snuggliest thing and has yet to lose his puppy playfulness.
What Do You Do When You’re Not in the Office?
Minkette Muse: After work you can find me hopping around industry events and meeting friends for late night dinners. On the weekends I love a long brunch somewhere outside (if the weather is nice) and perusing some of my favorite shops and neighborhoods. Taking a bike ride along the West Side Highway let’s me work on my tan while burning those brunch calories and also provides some great people watching!
If You Weren’t in Fashion What Would You Want to be Doing?
Minkette Muse: I’ve got a bit of a reputation as being a big fan of the culinary delights. To be a food critic for The New York Times would be an absolute dream come true. Maybe in my next life?
Where Do You Like to Shop?
Minkette Muse: I’m a busy gal, working away most of the time, so I don’t like spending my much-deserved time off pounding the pavements looking for new wardrobe staples. What I DO have time for, however, is enjoying some downtime at home with the web, perusing Revolve, Net-a-Porter, Shopbop, Saks.com… just to name a few. Yes- I am an e-shop-a-holic!
What is Your Most Prized Piece of Clothing or Accessory?
Minkette Muse: I rotate several watches in and out of my daily arm party (thanks Man Repeller for a new catchphrase) ranging anywhere from oversized rosegold to plastic neon. Although I would never let the rest of them know, my favorite is a Hermes Medor watch that I snagged at a vintage store in Leon, France. The combination of strong, gold pyramids and gentle, beautiful calfskin provides that mix of luxury and downtown edge that every Minkette loves!
Any Super-Easy Styling Tricks You Use to Pull a Look Together?
Minkette Muse: I’m a firm believer in balancing your look, if you wear something tight on top, wear something loose and airy on bottom and vice versa. My never fail trick: a bright colored belt or oversized necklace- they can really transform a look!
Bag Party
How Many Rebecca Minkoff Bags Do you Own?
Minkette Muse: Let me just say, you can never have enough REBECCA MINKOFF bags in your life! I’m not ashamed to admit that my collection is well into the double digits, with many of them acquired before I started working for her. Rebecca is known for both creating new styles and innovating classic bags to keep each season current. Luckily for me, I have access to our amazing sample closet, so my bags are ever changing. What can I say? I love switching things up!
Above, just one way I organize all of my RM bags!
If You Could Swap Closets with Anyone Living or Dead Who Would it Be?
Minkette Muse: Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen! They have an eclectic mix of vintage, couture, and casual pieces-I’ve never seen them wear the same thing twice!
Favorite Rebecca Minkoff Piece You Own?
Minkette Muse: It’s nearly impossible for me to pick my favorite RM piece- Rebecca somehow manages to outdo herself every season! Don’t believe me? Here’s a sneak peak of me wearing my favorite shoes (yes, I’m also blessed with sample size feet!) from our Resort 2012 collection!
What Are Your Current Must Reads?
Minkette Muse: I, along with myriads of fashion-focused girls across the country, am totally obsessed with the Man Repeller- she dazzles me! The girls at The Coveteur hooked me for life with their sneak peaks into industry influencer’s apartments and closets (Have you seen Karla Martinez’s feature? I NEED her apartment!) When I’m swamped with work and have lost touch with the outside world, I skim through “The Approval Matrix” and am magically equipped with the best conversation starters for the weekend- a major must-read!
Yum!!!
You’re a Known Foodie in the Office, What’s Your Favorite Chow Spots in the City?
Minkette Muse: I’m going to go ahead and assume you aren’t implying anything with this question! For me, it all depends on the occasion and I like to switch it up so I don’t get bored. For dinners and dates, I’m a big fan of Raoul’s, Blue Hill, L’Artusi and Extra Virgin. A man with impeccable taste in food is automatically ahead of the competition- bachelors out there, take note!
For casual dinners with my girlfriends, I’m always game for a pizza night at Rubirosa in Nolita, or Balaboosta. Westville is just down the street from my apartment in the West Village and I love brunching there on the weekends.
Also, Home on Cornelia Street has the yummiest Duck Confit!
