Fashion Lives, Fern Mallis, and Me @Saks

“Fern’s fervor for
elevating American fashion to its rightful place in art and culture has always
been at the heart of her mission.  Though
her name is not on a label, Fern Mallis made her mark on the world of American
fashion. Her amazing energy and passion and respect for the art of fashion and
those who craft and celebrate it have been her life’s work.” – Ralph Lauren, Foreword
to Fashion Lives, Fashion Icons by Fern Mallis
I met a legend yesterday and was honored to sit with her
alone for a few minutes at Saks Fifth Avenue (in North Star Mall) before a book signing event.  Fern Mallis is best known for creating the renowned New York Fashion Week
venue which, as Fern told me, “energized the industry and leveled the playing
field.”   She is also known for her provocative
interviews with top fashion designers and industry professionals at the
prestigious New York 92nd Street Y.  From those stories, her new book, Fashion Lives was birthed where she
shares intimate details, including the challenges and hardships, of our
favorite fashion designers.
 At 67, she confessed
to going through a mini-reinvention herself as a book author.  “I never dreamed of writing a book,” she
said. “I did not believe anyone was really interested in my own life.  But, these interviews at the Y revealed so
much.  They were like sitting in a living
room and talking openly with people we all would like to know more about.  So I was encouraged to write the book.”
Obviously, fans want more of Fern than she must
realize.  She was greeted warmly in San
Antonio and the book signing sold out available copies at the Saks event.  She told me that midlife reinvention is about “shaking
things up a bit.”  She said, “Give it
time and energy to follow what you care about. 
And, don’t appear desperate.”
I also asked her which designers keep midlife women in mind
for some of their collections. “I have been telling the designers for years
they need to broaden their size range and offer more to women,” She said.   But, her picks for who understands all women
best right now were Donna Karan and Norma Kamali. Fern spoke to me almost the
exact words in her book about Karan.
“Donna is every woman and that is the key to her success.
She designs for herself and for us. She feels for us.  She cares for us.  She gains weight like us, and she loses
it.  She is devoted to her family.  She is a mother, a mother-in-law, and a
grandmother. She has loved and lost and had her share of tragedies that have
impacted her life and influenced her career. 
She is insecure like most of us….”
Fern was gracious and enjoyable to speak with.  She wrote in my book, “Fashion Lives in San
Antonio!  Keep Re-inventing and enjoy
reading about the icons.”  And that is
what I will be doing for a long time…it is a big book!
To order the book, go here to FASHION LIVES ON AMAZON.

And have a wonderful Saturday!

4 Comments

  1. Going now to find out if she's on tour. I'd drive to the big city in rush hour traffic both ways for a chance to get an autographed copy. Isn't it wonderful that a woman who spent her life propelling the careers of others is finally getting a moment in the sun?!

  2. Isn't it ironic she feels women are the best designers for women. I wish there were more of them! Great post.
    b

  3. What an incredible opportunity. Wow, I've admired Fern for many, many years. I would have been tongue-tied trying to interview her. Way to go, Pam!

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