The designer of several eponymous collections–including her new affordably-priced Rachel Rachel Roy line at Macy’s– shares a bit of what she’s learned about work, life, and looking great.

What elements does an item of clothing need to look expensive even when it’s not?

As a shopper, you should look for good fabric–how it feels when you touch it–and try the piece on to see how it’s constructed. You still might have to get it altered for a little more cost, but tailoring helps the piece look richer right away. Also, check the stitch. If a designer uses a very thin thread, it looks much cheaper than a nice, thick thread. You hear about thread count with sheets, and it’s the same with stitches. If the thread is thicker, I find it makes the garment look richer. Those are little touches I try to give to my [Macy's] collection.

What did you learn back as an intern at Rocawear that prepared you for running your own business?

I learned so much! I think when you work in every department, even departments you don’t like, you learn to appreciate every position.  Working in, for example, the mailroom and in marketing, I learned seemingly little things like how much messengers cost and what time FedEx closes. But those are the things that you actually need to know to run your own company. Also, I’m used to the long hours because I did intern. Now, I don’t mind the hours because I’m working for myself.

You recently told Vogue that you don’t make the gym an utmost priority given your busy schedule as a mom of two daughters.  How do you keep it all together, so to speak?

It’s not easy. I do take it one day at a time, and try to make time for myself, literally just “mind-melting.” Some people call it meditation; I call it mind-melt. Everyday for a few moments (not even 10 minutes if I don’t have it) I either talk to myself or, since I’m a bit spiritual, I talk to God, just trying to put everything into alignment. I also do deep breathing. All of these things sound so corny that I hate kind of listing them, but if you try it when you’re alone–just a deep breath, or sitting up straight–it works. It calms me, and I’m able to be more present for the people that deserve it, like my two little girls.  They deserve a really active, present mom. So, that’s what keeps me going.

To learn more about Rachel, visit www.rachelroy.com.

Photo Credit: Barry Williams

The stunning and talented Rachel Roy was in Atlanta a couple weeks ago to promote her fab new reasonably-priced line at Macy’s, Rachel Rachel Roy. It was an honor to meet her (and sign a copy of the book for her!!). Watch for our interview in the June newsletter (you can sign up on www.debrashigley.com)– she shared some great insights on how to look rich for less, what she learned as an intern that’s made her a better businesswoman, and managing it all as a mom of two.

Photo credit: Barry Williams / Macy’s

Earlier this week I spoke at a bookclub for Ed2010 (a great org for magazine editor-types) alongside author Jennifer Scanlon, a professor of gender and women’s studies who wrote Bad Girls Go Everywhere, a biography of famed Cosmo editor Helen Gurley Brown (or HGB, as she is called). Scanlon argues, somewhat controversially, that HGB should be credited as an antecedent of Third Wave feminism– i.e., the more individualistic strain of feminism that emerged in the 1990s.

One hot-button topic discussed was if/how HGB used sexuality to get ahead in work and in life.  She admittedly slept with a few bosses (though said a woman can’t sleep her way to the top) and told women that “A lady’s love should pay for all trips, most restaurant tabs and all liquor.” Some of the young women in the group took issue with her ‘calculated’ methods, and questioned HGB’s feminist legacy.  One girl asked something to the effect of, “How could you call [Cosmo] a feminist publication today if every cover says 105 ways to please your man?”

As an advocate for women being sexually liberated, taking care of themselves physically and emotionally, advancing professionally, and most-important, earning their own money, HGB was obviously an original type of Go-Getter Girl. However, as I write in the GGGG, I do think there’s a big difference between using your sexuality to get ahead and embracing your femininity in the workplace. GGGs don’t do the former, period!

On another note, one of the young women at the event was a Columbia grad who has been on the job hunt for a minute. She asked me a few questions about job searching for her blog, Ivy Leagued and Unemployed. You can check out the post here! http://bit.ly/47RJJC.

Coming up next, a primer on negotiation, Hong Kong market-style!

They’re all over the place this season– from the beach to the barbecue to the night club. I’m talking about rompers. 

If you’re a trend-savvy woman who has taken note of rompers– but not yet taken the plunge– you’re not alone. Fashion bloggers all summer long have contributed to the great debate: Can I wear a romper– and if so, how?  Well, since we’re about halfway through summer/romper-appropos-parties, time is running out! It’s now or never– or at least until this 70s inspired trend comes round again. Here are a few tips:

With one-pieces, there’s a fine line between glamorous and babyish. For as much as we gals think they’re sexy, I’ve heard more than one guy refer to rompers as “adult onesies.”  The cardinal rule of rompers, as one Go-Getter Girl pointed out to me, is that they absolutely cannot be too tight.  Starlet Blake Lively– though we applaud her general sartorial flair– appears to be making this mistake each time she wears a jumper (see left). Too tight and you look like you’re wearing a bathing suit in public . . and let’s not even discuss camel-toe potential.

You want the fit to be “flouncy” (for more organic fabrics like cotton, rayon and silk),  and at the most, “fitted” (for more structured fabrics like denim, gingham, etc.). Subtle sexiness can derive not from showing shape, but rather from showing a little skin: e.g., slinky spaghetti straps or a swooping low back that show off your great shoulders; a short length to highlight your gams. For the shoes, proportion is key: you want to balance the weight of the romper. A silky romper needs a light shoe (strappy sandals), a heavier romper needs more substance (organic wedges are great; rounded patent heels work, too). Flat sandals are okay, but these will likely only flatter on a very tall, leggy woman. 

From there, since you’ve basically got an all-in-one-outfit, all that rocking a romper requires is… confidence! I know, easier said than done– not to mention the annoyance of completely undressing each time you have to go to the ladies room.  But I think, it’s a fun summer trend that’s definitely a “do”!

Photo credit: Diane Cohen

“Tell me About It” advice columnist and Go-Getter Girl Carolyn Hax got her start at the Washington Post as a copy editor.  After moving up the ranks in copy-editing, she was searching for a career path that she found more meaningful.  One day, after chatting with an editor about an existing advice column that could use some edge, Carolyn took it upon herself to write up some sample answers.  Her samples were circulated among the top editors, and within weeks, she found herself in a new role of copy editor-slash-advice-columnist (which became full-time columnist over time).  

When we chatted last year for the book, our conversation covered everything from how she decided to become a journalist (law school wasn’t for her) to whether cleavage is appropriate for the workplace (“It depends,” said Carolyn. “We have breasts and I don’t think you have to deny that for anybody… But if it seems like you’re just hanging it all out there, you look like you have issues!”).

Known for her witticisms and spot-on advice, Carolyn has just a few hundred words each column to deliver her perspective on any order of life’s conundrums– and she was kind enough to share some insights on how she does what she does, including tricks she uses to tighten up her writing. Take a listen below for what are great tips any young professional can use to be a better writer– whether you’re drafting a memo, an article, or just an important email. 

[audio http://thegogettergirls.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/carolyn_short_2.mp3]

And just for some context, you’ll notice there’s some music playing in the background of the clip. We were chatting at the famed Mayflower hotel in D.C., seated unfortunately close to the pianist– but I think it gives it ambience!!

Thanks so much, Carolyn!

[photo: Washington Post]