Executive
Director of American Ballet Theater Rachel Moore came up to the Greenwich
Carlisle / per se Showroom not too long ago to check out the fall lines. I knew the brand would be a great fit
for her. When I asked her what her M.O. was in terms of her style and wardrobe
choices she said, “I always want to straddle being polished and professional,
but not boring.” And because she represents a world-class ballet, she’s got to
be slightly “arty” without being too funky or “downtown.” Imagine, in any given day Rachel might
go from meeting with bankers, to a donor’s luncheon to a gala performance.
How does she do
it? She has no apologies about
having to change clothes! Better
to be dressed exactly right than having to hodge-podge something together that
isn’t perfect for the day or the evening function. This definitely flies in the
face of the day-to-evening how-to dressing every fashion journalist has written
about (including me!).
If you’re a
former ballet dancer, you’re a friend to practice and preparation. Rachel’s
packing regime sounds like trying to synchronize the intricate choreography of
the four cygnets dance in Swan Lake! She explained, “I’ve given up the goal of
traveling light. I know my
schedule before I begin to pack and I literally plot out every outfit before I
leave.” She creates a spreadsheet
of what to wear from event to event, including evening bags, shoes–the works.
Perhaps she could economize in her packing a bit, but there is no way she’s
going with just a carry-on and besides that, as she said, “I want my stuff!” Who can’t relate to that!
About dressing
and the execute man, both Rachel and I agree; they’ve got it easy. A nice suit takes a guy from boardroom
to cocktail party and it’s all good. According to Rachel, “Men are not terribly
judgmental of other men, but they are really judgmental of women. They know when a woman definitely “gets
it,” when she’s making a statement that is polished and professional. Think of Diane Sawyer, she’s feminine,
but their is no phony baloney.”
Shown here is one
selection Rachel made at the Greenwich Showroom. She fit beautifully into everything and it was difficult for
us to narrow down the choices into a few outfits. I think you’ll agree it’s arty without being too funky and
it says I mean business, no phony baloney.
