We all know the classic five monarchs of power dressing, Ralph Lauren, Jil Sander, Calvin Klein, Chanel and now, forever etched in pop culture history, is Prada.
But in the major American style headquarters, where the power players are getting younger and younger and the professions are far from traditional, who’s cashing in on the new generation of big bosses. How are they dressing now, in Soho, in the Hills and in Miami?
When the interns are allowed to come to work in Keds, your tweed, high- waisted pencil skirt may make you appear more like the principal than the boss. Knowing your environment comes before all things. Match the Zac Posen pencil skirt with a funky, printed tank and youthful jewelry. Skirts can now be worn short with the evolution of leggings (and yes if that’s your thing, you do need the leggings, unless there’s something extra about your job we don’t know, bare legs up to your panty line are not appropriate).
More often than not professionals are opting for the A-Line cuts as an alternative to the traditional pencil skirt. There once existed a time when the jacket didn’t exist without the skirt and vice versa. Then came the 80’s and pantsuits were the name of the game. It was the only way women felt they could be taken seriously and not as sexual objects.
The Gallerina
One of the chicest professions since the mid-90’s is that of the art gallery princess. Exhibiting and dealing art allows a lot of room for artistic expression. You want people to get the automatic impression that you are cultured and unique. This highly architectural look from United Bamboo definitely says something about an appreciation for avant garde without screaming it. It makes its statement quietly but definitively.
The Editor, the job that started the fascination. Believe it or not, the Conde Nast offices and publication houses like it, are filled with impossibly chic women. The truth of the matter is that in the case of a fashion editor knowing who should be on your back is just as important as anything. The main objective is to be fashion conscious and ahead of the pack but keep in mind you are still working for a large corporation. Such as in the case of this Burberry look, keeping it polished and implementing edgy city chic is key.
The PR Diva
Oh the life of a high powered fashion PR girl. They plan all of the fabulous events in the entertainment industries, their rolodexes are endless and they ride the fine line between executive and “it girl”. Sometimes with all the partying and schmoozing involved in the career it is harder to gain respect from the more straight laced colleagues. This 3.1 Phillip Lim belted dress is playful but smart enough to look like a grown up.
Let’s be honest, a stylist can dress however they so damn well please. A freelance stylist has no boss and is always expected to beat to a different drummer. No two stylists worth their salt should look the same. However, in our fashion labs we loved this look from Etro. It represents a very rebellious aesthetic but still somehow looks authoritative. There has to be something that tells people that you set rather than follow the trends – because after all that is your job.
