Name: Nicole Gibbons
City: New York City
Job: On-air personality and interior designer
How she got there: The daughter of a decorator, the Detroit native has spent more than a decade working in the fashion most notably as Global Director of Communications and Events at Victoria’s Secret before embarking on her own career in design. Now, in addition to adding a modern touch to homes and businesses, you can see her using her design skills to help families makeover their living spaces on the Emmy Award-winning TV show “Home Made Simple” airing on OWN, the Oprah Winfrey Network.
Levo: When you’re looking for a sheath dress, what attributes are you searching for?
Nicole Gibbons: I search for silhouettes that praise my body, such as this one by Rauol. I feel strongest when I wear a well-fitting dress with sleek pointy-toe pumps. This look always comes across as confident and refined – two adjectives I continuously aspire to be seen as.
[Related: How to Dress Professionally for Your Body Type]
If you’re an interior designer, what kind of events would you wear this outfit to?
NG: I wear this look often when I have an event to attend in the evening or if I’m doing a morning show segment. It’s professional but also networking-friendly, so I can make strong first impressions with the new people I meet. As an entrepreneur in a client-based business, I know how important it is to make a strong first impression. This can be the difference between landing a new client or partner and losing out to someone else. Additionally, image is pivotal in my industry. Hence, people often times hire me because they believe I have excellent taste and enjoy my design aesthetic. Therefore, it’s crucial that I always look chic and put-together when it comes to clothes.
If you’re running around looking for furniture but don’t want to be on camera, what’s your outfit of choice?
NG: I tend to dress casually when I’m not working, usually opting for ripped jeans and a button-down shirt. My style is generally clean, sophisticated, and colorful.
[Related: On the Job: Seven Rules for Doing “Casual Dress” in the Office]
Why is the LL Bean tote bag a must-have for your job?
NG: A good tote is important for me because I always seem to have a lot of stuff with me when I’m running around the city. I usually carry my Macbook Air, some fabric samples, and other materials like paint decks with me during the day. I would rather be a fashionable bag lady with initials on my purse than an ordinary one.
Do you have an article of clothing that holds sentimental value or makes you feel good about yourself?
NG: I received the Fendi watch I’m wearing as a gift from my grandparents when I was 17 years old. It’s sentimental to me because they have passed away, but I still wear it all the time.
What makes your pumps the best choice in your closet?
NG: Pumps are versatile and can be worn with a number of different outfits! These Jimmy Choos can be dressed down with skinny jeans and a blazer or paired with a cocktail dress for a more conservative look.
For anyone aspiring to become an interior designer, what style advice would you offer?
NG: Develop a style that is authentic to you and also demonstrates your great taste. I am passionate about brightly-colored decor, so naturally, I love wearing colorful clothes when I want to turn heads!
What beauty or style advice did your mom or a female mentor provide you that stuck with you?
NG: As they say, sometimes less is more. And a design mentor of mine once told me that if you want to sell a client a bold color choice, wear that color when you’re presenting the idea to them. It may be a subconscious act, but when clients see you in that color and looking great, they’ll be more easily convinced!
Visit NicoleGibbons.com and SoHauteStyle.com to check out her work and find some home must-haves!
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