Our fabulously glamorous gal Laura Bennett will be appearing at Charleston Fashion week to act as spokesperson for the fabulous organization Dress for Success.
"Charleston magazine presents the first annual Charleston Fashion Week, a five-night celebration of fashion and Charleston’s burgeoning retail and design community. Beginning Tuesday, March 20 and continuing through Saturday, March 24, 2007, downtown Charleston’s historic Marion Square will echo New York’s Bryant Park during NYC Fashion Week with enclosed tents filled with the latest designer wares. Charleston magazine will invite local retail stores to produce and present runway shows featuring their Spring 2007 collections."
Fabulous, no? We figured it was time to exploit our friendship for some blog content, so we sat down for our very first interview. Barbara Walters, you better check your ass, that's all I'm sayin'.
Us: Tell us a little about Dress for Success. How did you get involved with them? Is it because you're always so successfully dressed?
Her: I was successfully dressed when I approached Dress For Success to see if I could help them in any way. I was honored when they asked me to be a spokesperson. I have always believed that if you look great, you feel great and great things will happen; sort of fashion Karma. That is the root idea behind the organization.
I will be in
I have not actually decided what I will be wearing, so I welcome any input from my gay posse.
Can't go wrong with feathers and beads, darling.Okay, it's the one question that everyone's been asking us about you and if we don't ask it, our readership will kick our asses: what are your plans, what have you been doing, what have you got coming up?
I am working on a line of wardrobe basics that make it easy for busy women to look great everyday and make it hassle free. These are body forgiving, easy to wear pieces that just take a few signature accessories make them fit your mood or style.
Classic looks, then.
If classic means they are not past season trends taking up space in your closet, then yes. These are the designs that make getting dressed and looking fabulous easy and uncomplicated for me.
Who do you see as your customer?
My customer is a woman who has some mileage under her belt. The latest issue of some fashion magazine aimed at girls does not drive her wardrobe. She wants clothing that is well made, looks great and can go anywhere.
We hear you're going to be sitting in the judge's chair for the PR season 4 casting. Are you going to activate your mighty bitch powers? Show Nina how it's done.
I will be sitting on the judges’ panel for auditions in
How's widdle Finn? Is he sewing yet?
Finn is not sewing yet. I’m not one of those pushy
Okay, just so this interview isn't entirely about us kissing your ass...why do you love us so?
I love you so because you also know the truth hurts. By the way, does this dress make my butt look big?
If by "big," you mean "FABULOUS," then yes.
Thanks, doll!
60 comments:
OH MY GOD, it's fabulously glamorous Laura checking in. How fabulous!!
I'm so glad she's coming out with her own line of clothing. I can't wait to tell my sisters about it.
More details, please, on the when/where/how of seeing or obtaining these wardrobe basics of Laura's. Thanks.
My heroine! I've donated so many things to Dress For Success over the years. They are absolutely one of the best groups helping women in need, and I am so happy that they asked Laura to be a spokesperson! What a fantastic pairing!
Fantastic! Great news, boys! I can't wait to see her designs.
Great interview! Fabulousity all around.
You've got to love this woman!
Dress for Success is a great organization that helps women not only obtain the right business attire for the interview (and five work days if they get the job) but it prepares them for the entire interviewing process and re-entering the workforce. They have volunteer positions for resume editors, career coaches, mentors, as well as personal shoppers.
Thank you for making a difference, Laura!
I hope I can afford her clothes. I would love to wear a Laura Bennett original.
Best contestant ever on the show! I love every single one of her interviews.
Her: I was successfully dressed when I approached Dress For Success to see if I could help them in any way. I was honored when they asked me to be a spokesperson.
Fabulous and humble! What a woman!
Her clothing is beautiful and timeless, every girl and woman would want a "laura" piece for their wardrobe.
Laura was always my favorite for being classy, elegant, timeless and sophisticated. Best wishes!
I can't wait to be able to buy me some Laura.
I have a box of my Wall Street suits ready to ship over to Dress for Success. What a wonderful match: Laura & Dress for Success.
Isabel
Alpha Mom-- redefining parental overachievement
How fabulous is that? Does she have a deal with Liz Claiborne yet?
I suspect her clothing line will be within reach of most of us, and in any case it will be a justifiable expense as it won't be going out of style anytime soon.
BTW,
She will also be Andy Cohen's guest next week (apres TD).
"nf in va said...
I suspect her clothing line will be within reach of most of us..."
I hope so. I want to be a fabulous mom : - )
I must make some room on my credit card balance for Laura's new line! I always wanted to see her design clothes for the working woman. We don't all attend events where beads and feathers are appropriate. But we all need some fabulous Laura-style basics, right?
I can't wait! Keep us posted, boys! I'm not too far from Charleston. I'm going see if I can get tickets for the event. I would love to see Laura in person and have my picture taken with her.
"How's widdle Finn? Is he sewing yet?
Finn is not sewing yet. I’m not one of those pushy New York moms that force their kids to overachieve right out of the gate. He is doing very well and working hard to perfect his rollover."
LOL. Best wishes, darling! I have loved you since day one.
YOU READ MY MIND !!!!
I was seriously going to email you to ask for a Laura Bennett update. Thank you.
When she says the clothing will be forgiving, I hope she's also including those of us in the plus size category. Just because I'm chubby doesn't mean I want to go to work in a moumou. I swear that dresses and business casual attire for sizes 18 and up are designed for my dowdy Grandma. Who wants to shop at a place with "Barn" in the name?
Thank goodness for wide-leg slacks and v-neck tops with 3/4 sleeves. Very forgiving.
Wonderful to hear from Laura! I love your chemistry with her, I have a huge smile!
Thank you so much for the Laura update. I have been having serious withdrawal symptoms here.
Being you guys have access to the fabulous Laura, howabout talking her into answering questions from some of your bloggers? We could submit our questions to you, and she would answer 4-5 questions every other week or so and we would all be happy with our dose of Laura.
Anyway, I would love to know which dresses Laura will be sending down the runway in Charleston. One article said that it would be her Bryant park dresses. So would that be the ones that Peter bought back for her, or has she added others to her collection? Will she have to refit her dresses to new models in Charleston? That sounds like a lot of work if that is the case. Would love to see some photos.
Thanks again for all the work you do with this blog. We appreciate it!
Emm
I have to second the call for clothes for us fat chicks. When I was working, it used to make me furious that the fashion world seemed to think that plus-sized women didn't work, so all we needed were capris and mumus. It's slightly better now, but not much.
And also, please, please, please make the clothes be of at least medium quality. Another fabulous thing about fat clothing is how poorly it's made -- I bought a pair of pants at Avenue last week, and all of the buttons fell off the first time I wore them. Unacceptible.
Aww, only in old Chuck-town for one day? Our city needs a bigger splash of Fabulous!
I'd love to catch a glimpse of Laura, but don't think I can afford the $85 tickets for the 24th....
I CANNOT wait to see the Laura's line. I'm sure everything will be classic and chic, like always. I just want to know WHEN I can start looking for it!
Laura,
Please make clothes that are well-made, comfortable (not-fussy), affordable, do not need to be dry-cleaned, in a wide-range of sizes and look as fabulous as the stuff you design for PR! You rock!
"Finn is not sewing yet. I’m not one of those pushy New York moms that force their kids to overachieve right out of the gate. He is doing very well and working hard to perfect his rollover."
Good for you, Laura! I love you!! I can't wait to wear one of your those designs.
Thank you so much for the update, guys. Laura is an amazing woman. Because of her, now I make sure I have lipstick on before I leave the house.
Yay!!! Laura is coming to my city. I have to meet her.
I'm a chubby girl but I still want too look fabulous, Laura! Don't forget us!!
Excellent news!! That made my day! Like many here, I would give anything to wear her clothes.
I can't wait to see Laura's new line. Sounds right up my alley for when I go back into the world of the working.
(FWIW, I have about a month and a half more "mileage" than La Laura, so I am certainly in her demographic. :-) )
Dress for Success is a great charity. Glad to see it's catching on in smaller markets and getting major promotion.
If I can't afford Laura's stuff, I'll probably be one of DfS's best customers. :-)
Glad to hear all is well with the Bennett-Shelton clan.
Wearing clothes that fit and make me look good is becoming more of a priority of mine since I started watching you on Project Runway.
I spent most of my life rejecting fashion. I think this hurt me in different spheres, including dating and work. I pay more attention to fashion now. Thank you, and I can't wait to see your collection.
I was such a fan of Laura's clothing on the show - I can't wait to see the new line. I'll bet they're right up my alley, along with most of my friends (all non-sweatpant wearing moms!).
I love the idea of Laura coming out with a basic wardrobe essentials line. I admired what she wore herself during the show as much as the beautiful clothing that she made. From the basic white blouse, black cardigan, turtleneck, or trench, even the large sunglasses and dangling earrings....I loved it all and would love to see a Laura Bennett line of some of these simple basics.
Thanks guys, for our Laura update!
I would love love love a basic wardrobe line focused on classic pieces.
And PLEASE, for the love of God, make larger sizes, but DON'T CHANGE THE DESIGN or the proportions! I have no idea why designers think that big girls want to wear frumpy ugly clothes. Or crappy quality.
And some designers think that all large-size women are short and just wide.
I'm not! I'm tall and curvy!! And I'm prepared to drop serious cash on well-made pieces. Just give me the chance to do it.
I want EXACTLY the same stuff that comes in size 4-16, just please make it in size 20.
Pretty please.
Laura is simply divine. Thanks for the update, guys!
I love Laura! She is truly an amazing woman. Being a mother of five, I'd give anything to look as good as she does. I'm very excited about her new collection. Keep us posted, guys!
Yes! I'm totally thrilled to see a fashion line that's fabulous for us regular women. Hey, and if you could make me some flattering, smokin' trouser jeans for my petite, 5 ft. tall body, that would be awesome!
I second the "no dry cleaning" comment someone made earlier, and I'd also like to toss out a plea for clothes that have a size option that would fit us tall girls. I'm 5' 10", and it is amazing how hard it is to find pants and skirts that are long enough. I've spent a ridiculous amount of time wearing highwater jeans and slacks because there simply weren't tall options available in my price range.
lucky laura, getting to go to charleston. no more divine city, in my view. new york pales in comparison.
Dress for Success is a wonderful organization!! I did a tiny bit of volunteering for them back in high school. Best of luck in everything!! :)
Dress for Success is committed to helping women feel their most beautiful and confident, from the inside and out, just like Laura. They could not have a better spokesperson.
Good luck with your new collection, Laura!
On Chris Rock's interview on Bravo the other night, he mentioned that his wife works with Dress for Success, and I thought to myself, what a fabulous idea.
I'm thinking there might be an arm in Los Angeles if Mrs. Chris Rock is a player, in which case I'd like to start donating to them.
Does anyone have contact information for Los Angeles?
I LOVE LAURA! I would buy anything she makes. Her designs are GORGEOUS!
NahnCee said..
I'm thinking there might be an arm in Los Angeles if Mrs. Chris Rock is a player, in which case I'd like to start donating to them.
Does anyone have contact information for Los Angeles?
Hi NahnCee,
Hope this helps:
"Dress for Success Los Angeles
719 S. Los Angeles Street, Suite 372
Los Angeles, CA 90014
Phone: 213-629-3537
Fax: 213-488-2986
losangeles@dressforsuccess.org
We still need your help! Dress for Success Los Angeles is seeking donated office and storage space. Anyone interested in helping can contact us at losangeles@dressforsuccess.org.
Thank you for your support of Dress for Success Los Angeles!"
XO
T&L
Oh, I can't wait see what looks good on me : - )
Laura is the woman I grew up wanting to be. She's always perfectly put together, immaculately dressed and she is so talented. I can't wait to see her collection!
Laura, you have been a role model for many women out there. I hope I can afford your clothes. Thank you for the update, gentlemen!
Jacklyn said...
I spent most of my life rejecting fashion. I think this hurt me in different spheres, including dating and work. I pay more attention to fashion now.
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I wholeheartedly agree with Jacklyn - most of my time was spent as a starving student and was completely clueless, but ever since I started working, I've picked up basics and added from there.
Love her love her love her! And love YOU for loving her!
Just jumping on the love train.
And since we've heard from the big girls and the tall girls, I'd add a plea for Laura to make something for us tiny petite folks, since all petite clothing seems to be constructed for women around 5'4". At 5'1" (and a half! Don't forget the half!) even the petite sizes are too big for me!
But I won't ask Laura to do that, because she's got enough on her plate already! Whatever she makes, I'll buy it; if it's not my size, I'll just find a way to "make it work"! Laura, you are the ginchiest.
Many women would love to look half as good as you look, Laura. I can't wait to see your collection.
I love Laura, she is a great designer with impeccable sewing skills. Her creations are gorgeous. I wish her the best.
Aww, a little nugget of Laura fabulousness to brighten up an otherwise dull day.
When I first saw her I had extreme envy. After my claws retracted. I realized she helped me immensely. What a great attitude she has. Before I used to throw on some clothes and run out. Now I dress.
She is my fashion guru.
Laura, I love you! You encouraged all of us moms and women out there to care about the way we look. Thanks to you, I was able to see that you can be chic and still be a mother of 4, a wife, and a successful career woman.
My mom and I are such fans and admirers of your style and approach to fashion. We can't wait to wear your clothes! I hope you'll have something for my age group (I'm 25).
Dress for Success is a wonderful organization. And really, who better than Laura to speak for them?
At the beginning of PR3, I didn't like Laura. I honestly cannot remember why now ... she quickly became my favorite, right around the time she was calling Keith on his bullshit.
Go, Laura! You are awesome!
Anonymous wrote:
When she says the clothing will be forgiving, I hope she's also including those of us in the plus size category. Just because I'm chubby doesn't mean I want to go to work in a muumuu. I swear that dresses and business casual attire for sizes 18 and up are designed for my dowdy Grandma. Who wants to shop at a place with "Barn" in the name?
Oh, I totally agree. If Laura would design some chic plus-size clothing, she would be my hero forever and ever.
I need something to disguise my menopause middle. Most stuff with elastic waist is too full in the hips and makes me look twice as wide. Also, clothing that fits during the "fat" time of the month as well as the rest of the time would be greatly appreciated. I'm sick of having 2 wardrobes.
Yea! I am her target customer. My personal odometer has rolled over at least 3 times!
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