Our trips to the various Fashion Weeks around the world always finds us making new friends and meeting the most interesting people...
To that, when A-List Entertainment Editor, Leeann Tweeden took us to United Legwear aka: 'Happy Socks' HQ in New York and introduced us their V.P. of Marketing and Licensing - a petite, gem of infectious energy, positivity and nurturing attentiveness we were immediately smitten.
But it was when we were able to fully take in her personal style - a deft mix of layered bracelets - diamonds nesting with woven strings and beads - Arctic eyes, pale lips and metallic Puma suedes paired with a vintage Chanel jacket that we knew we had to ask...
Rita Polidori O'Brien, "What's on your A-List"?
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Favorite Beauty Product:
* RMS Beauty Living Luminizer to highlight cheekbones, along nose and chin; Shimmer Lights shampoo to keep my hair more platinum than gold; Chanel Black Pearl nail color.
Favorite Hair Product:
* Jonathan’s Silky Dirt Shine and Define Creme – the best texturizer on the market.
Favorite Cosmetics:
* MAC Satin Lipstick in Fleshpot; Chanel professional eyelid base pen in “Beige” on lids (it will change your beauty game; your shadow and liner stay put all day when applied); Chanel intense eye pencil in “Marine” because this deep blue isn’t as harsh as black liner; Chanel soft touch eyeshadow in “Complice,” which can also be used as a highlighter.
Do you have a signature fragrance or ones that you wear often?
* “Love” by Kilian, in “Don’t Be Shy.” Only that. Ever.
Last Fashion item you bought?
* PUMA Suedes… a classic, old-school sneaker (available on Puma.com) that’s available in so many colors and can be dressed up or down. While I buck against the “normcore” trend, I love that sneakers are having a very big fashion moment. Who likes running for a cab in heels??
What is one item that you use EVERY DAY?
* Crème de la Mer; Shu Uemura eyelash curler, Selima Optique prescription sunnies – the Zoe frame is timeless; Carmex on lips before bed, without fail.
Favorite Shopping Website(s)?
* Net-a-Porter, Catbird NYC, Bergdorf Goodman, J. Crew
Go-To outfit you always look great in?
* Point Sur Epic Skinny Jeans, black suede Manolos , a Bread & Boxers tee shirt layered beneath an Isabel Marant cropped sweater, Schott Perfecto biker jacket, Valentino Camo' Rockstud trapeze tote. Wearing that bag means you don’t need to wear jewelry.
What’s always on your Grocery List?
* Nutella is always on my grocery list. My eating habits are deplorable, so there are no health or vitamin products that I can recommend.
Who do you follow on Instagram or Twitter?
* My favorite blogs are like the ‘Approval Matrix’ in New York Magazine: either highbrow and brilliant or lowbrow and despicable. On a daily basis, I view blogs on news/opinion, fashion, design, life, business – it’s all in the mix: Garance Doré; The Cut; She’s in the Glow; Salon; the Daily Beast; Designer Daily; Mashable; HubSpot; BoingBoing; The Baffler; Harvard Business Review. And yes, BuzzFeed.
Any "Home" or Décor tip or tricks?
* Seems basic, but mirroring an entire wall -- particularly if that wall is directly opposite a window – completely opens up a small space by reflecting the space and the light. Note: it must be done with the widest possible panels, or the space will resemble a 1970’s pizzeria.
Best Gift You Have Ever Received?
* My engagement ring!
Best Gift You Have Ever Given?
* When we were just dating, I bought my husband a djembe drum. He married me. Nothing more to add ;)
Great Gift Idea for "The Person Who Has Everything?"
* Any product from Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, available at LAFCO on Lafayette Street in NYC. A gift box of Happy Socks, sold at happysocks.com or in the SoHo store, NYC.
Best advice or something you’ve learned in your career?
* Study up on your industry each day with great focus, and bring your A-game every day. The clock is not your boss – get to work early for a jump start, and don’t leave until the day’s work is done. Don’t cut corners, because there are no shortcuts to a job well-done. Most importantly, be kind to everyone you meet (even the bad guys). Because life is a circle and you’ll meet again. And again.
What would you say that you are BEST at?
* Writing, dressing myself, public speaking, and stepping up in crisis situations.
What else would you like to do or accomplish?
* It’s critically important to work toward increasing the influence and equality of women in the world today, and I do my best to ensure that the empowerment, education and safety for all girls and women is always at the forefront of government agendas. I sit on the board of the Metro NY Chapter of the US National Committee for UN Women, whose mission is promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women. I have a daughter; she and every girl and woman alive deserve a life of equal opportunity and security.
On a frivolous level, I love to curate things, wo wht – USNC end violence against women and seek gender equality. I’d like to curate things via a retail space, blog, book or …
Any other recommendations, loves or likes?
* The perfect tee shirts are made by a Swedish company, Bread & Boxers. The line is available for men only in the U.S. right now, but the team in Stockholm sends me women’s tees that I hoard in my bedroom closet.
* I love my SPRING app – it’s a curated shopping experience that brings items from my favorite brands right into a neat feed.
* A pair of Gucci loafers will last you a lifetime.
* Beautiful stationery and one good pen makes for the best hand-written notes, which are one of the nicest things you can send to someone.
Follow Rita on Instagram.com/ritapolidoriobrien // Twitter: @RitaPOBrien // Facebook // Pinterest
Congratulations Rita Polidori O'Brien! You just Made The A-List
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