Alan Tanksley Q&A

Alan Tanksley by Richard Shultz

When Alan Tanksley’s own Manhattan apartment, with its view of the Empire State Building from the  living  room  and  shower,  appeared  both  on  the  cover of  Metropolitan  Home  and  in the pages  of  Elle  Decor  Magazine,  the  designer’s  extraordinary  skill  at  blending  furniture, furnishings   and   art   from   virtually   every   era   drew   international  acclaim.  

This   same extraordinary  vision  and  highly  personalized  style  characterize  every  one  of  Mr. Tanksley’s timeless designs for a most appreciative clientele both in the United States and abroad.

Mr.  Tanksley  and  his  staff  of  ten  are  among  America’s  leading  practitioners  of  residential design  and  of  detailed  interior  space  planning  and  custom  furniture  and  fixture  design.

Renowned  as  an  expert  colorist,  Mr.  Tanksley  creates  shimmering  palettes  that  ultimately manage to make every  interior space  both exciting and relaxing simultaneously – a  must  for his demanding,  highly  exclusive  clients.    His  day-to-day  working  relationships  with  such leading architects  as  Maya  Lin  and  Robert  Orr  give  the  firm  the  unusual  ability  to  draw  on expert talents  to  implement  a  wide  range  of  architectural  renovations  for  each  project  that  it undertakes. Prior to founding his own firm in 1993, Alan Tanksley was a partner in another firm and was previously  an  associate  with  the  distinguished  designer  Mark  Hampton.  

He  worked  closely with  Mr.  Hampton  on  the  design  and  supervision  of  many  of  the company’s  most  notable residential  projects.    Mr.  Tanksley  is  a  graduate  of  Arizona  State University’s  School  of Architecture specializing in interior architecture. Among  Alan  Tanksley, Inc.’s  elite  clientele  are  Paul  Simon,  John  Bartlett,  Ambassador Edward Elson, Lionel Pincus, Jane Pauley & Garry Trudeau, Gilles Mendel, Goldman Sachs Company and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Check out my exclusive Q&A with Alan Tanksley below.

What first attracted you to to design? 

I can't say that I can pinpoint one thing that first attracted me to design. Like may others it seems that something was inside me from the very start, perhaps the same way others are drawn to sports or science or any other passion before they knew enough to consciously pursue it., Fortunately, both my parents were very curious people by nature and due to my father being a commercial pilot we travelled fairly extensively.  An appreciation for history, architecture, nature and art were organically imbued in use as we accompanied them from place to place and they shared their love for such things with.

What inspires you in your creative process? 

The environment I'm given to work with, along with my clients' stated desires kick off the search for creative solutions. Most often my initial goal is to organize an environment to a place that is innately compelling and approachable. Whether it be a house, a room or a table top vignette my goal is always the same, to make the user feel

What have been the highlights and challenges throughout your design career?

To begin, I had the good fortune to start my career in the office of Mark Hampton, one of the masters of 20th century design. With Mr. Hampton I was introduced to a world of design and a lifestyle that opened my eyes to the limitless adventures that can be experienced through the business of design and decoration. One of the big downers has been the times when working with clients who approach the process from an adversarial, small minded point of view. That's a guarantee for a joyless, soul crushing experience. There's simply not enough time available to squander it on any such relationship.

What have been the best projects you’ve worked on?

The projects that truly stand out have been the result of working relationships with people who've participated and communicated with me in an enthusiastic and collaborative manner and who have a respectful understanding of the complex, often challenging processes required to accomplish something truly great.  Some of the stand outs include residences in Snowmass, Vail and Telluride, Colorado as well as a modern ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

What projects are you currently working on?

We are extremely busy right now with three exceptional residences in the Boston area, combining two apartments in NYC to create a single, full floor apartment and an extraordinary project in one of New York's most recognizable buildings.

You’ve designed for many ‘celebrity’ clients and famous faces. Which of these projects have been the most fun? 

I've worked with a handful of well known people, the most visible being the singer and songwriter Paul Simon for whom I worked on his Manhattan and Montauk residences. However, as far as fun goes I have a long and very friendly working relationship with Garry Trudeau and Jane Pauley on their NYC residence.

Which is your favorite design style/period? 

Now, because I have the luxury of working in any period should I have the opportunity to or, more likely, enjoy the challenge of artfully moving among several periods within the same environment.

Who would be your dream client?

As long as we're daydreaming, Mame Dennis, the fictional character who lived at One Beekman Place. Not only was she smart and funny and glamorous she completely changed the decoration of her massive apartment on a regular basis.

Other than her I'd be very pleased to have more of the of people I'm currently working for. I'm very fortunate, they're an ideal assortment of clients.

Making a Difference: Interview with Dayle Haddon

Social media has made a huge difference in my life, and one of the best things to come out of a tweet was the opportunity to interview Dayle Haddon. You may be familiar with Haddon's successful career as a model, and as the only individual to hold a contract with the four big beauty brands at one time. Dayle has since established the non-profit WomenOne, and she and her team are making a real difference in educating girls across the world.

Dayle's story is one of hard work, determination and grit. It's inspiring to its core, and I'm excited to share my interview with her below. Hope you will feel as inspired as I am!

The Author with Dayle, 2013.

Tell us about the journey of WomenOne and why you wanted to establish a non-profit.

WomenOne advocates for the power of one educated girl to transform her life, inspire a community and change the world. I was initially unsure on what to focus on, but I knew that I wanted to help people that were in trouble. This idea developed to improving education, and more specifically secondary education, as it is where the drop-off for these women and girls occurs.

I have been a UNICEF Ambassador since 2008, and through my involvement, I have travelled to countries such as Africa and South America. On these journeys, I saw that women and girls were falling through the cracks, particularly during a visit to a small Angolan clinic where they only had two microscopes. The project was on a scale that was too small for UNICEF.

In Bolivia, c/o Dayle Haddon.

What projects are WomenOne currently working on?

I naively thought that I could visit two countries a year with WomenOne! I’m also a Free the Children Ambassador and travelled to Kenya to help build a school. A lot of girls’ tuition was not paid for and I offered to provide my help. I initially managed to sponsor four girls, and thanks to support in the US, many more are now being sponsored yearly. I returned to see how they were progressing and 60 Minutes did a lead story about it back in 2012. We’re also involved with a Goldman Sachs mentoring scheme that is mentoring 10,000 women.

I’ve also travelled to Turkey, and in May 2013 I visited 10 cities in 9 days. The Turkish Philanthropy Fund runs successful programs throughout the country, and there are some areas in the Eastern side of the country that are still ‘medieval’ in their practices. I also visited the border between Iran and Syria and met with Syrian refugees who are living in camps. I could hear the shellings taking place in the country, and heard about how the crisis is impacting Syrian people, both wealthy and poor. Many of the children were so traumatized that they couldn’t speak for many months. I recently returned to the region with UNICEF.

Closer to home, I’ve held fundraisers in New York that have provided scholarships and education to prevent arranged marriages. WomenOne is now focusing upon Syrian refugees and is sponsoring two Duke fellows in the field for a year to provide education in and on the camps in Turkey and Jordan. I’d love to build a Peace Center eventually!

Panzi Hospital, Congo, c/o Dayle Haddon.

What advice can you offer to individuals hoping to start their own non-profit?

Focus on an area that you are most attracted to and interested in. Learn and do as much research as possible, and volunteer in your community or on a project over the summer to become an expert. It’s important to get your feet wet to see if you like it! Engage with others, and above all, be passionate about your interests.

Before I travel to a country I read everything I can so I can authentically connect with others. Columbia University runs many fascinating classes, and I often sit in on them. For example, I attended one on Islam that provided me with really valuable information for when I travelled to Muslim countries.
I guess I am the perennial and perpetual student, as I love to learn!  I’m also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations which has been extremely helpful and insightful into my line of work.

What is the best memory of your time as a model?

I’m not a model who ever thought the industry is dumb. I loved it, and I found it was more about ability, communication and reaching to the audience through the camera. I think I was more proactive and more satisfied than other models in the profession.

Great photographers are great artists and I’ve been fortunate to work with many of them. It’s extremely satisfying working with talented people.

Rural school in Darfur, c/o Dayle Haddon.

In your opinion, how has the industry evolved, and do you think it is better or worse?

The modeling world was smaller and intimate in my time, and there were no models with ‘names.’ I think I was the first model to have my name by my photos. The pay was smaller, and of course, there was no social media! Digital photography has brought a different feeling. A great person makes a great photo, and I find being photographed on film is much more real.  You don’t get the same feeling of connection with a digital camera.

During my time in the beauty industry I constantly thought of the women who were buying the products and tried to connect with them through the photograph. I have been known to sell lots of products, and I’d like to think that is the reason why. I held four big contracts during one time (L’Oreal, Max Factor, Revlon and Estee Lauder,) and women still write to me saying that they felt a connection. I’ve also found that I am big on airlines- particularly with stewards!

What do you hope your legacy as a model and an individual dedicated to ageless beauty will be?

I’m unsure if there is a legacy, but I do try to translate a sense of humanity and ‘something bigger.’ You are special and unique and you can make a difference. It’s important to know your value and that’s what beauty is.

Last year I attended We Day in Winnipeg and spoke about how inner beauty comes from being caring, thoughtful, and giving back to society. Your body is like a vehicle- it gets you around, but you need to enhance the inner you in every way you can.

With Mama Monica in Maasai Mara, c/o Dayle Haddon.

How did you establish your company, Dayle Haddon Concepts? What advice can you offer to those looking to start their own business?

I am an ideas person- if I can see it, I can do it.

I was called to the issue of aging and beauty through my own individual experience. At 37 I was told by the industry that I was too old! This is the message that women are continuing to hear, and I wanted to change the perception of the industry from the inside. Consequently I wrote a book and toured with it to 26 cities throughout the USA. If you’re alive, love all your life. Don’t hold on to a number and feel free to hear what your age is giving you.

To establish the company, I used a Barron’s Dictionary and used some of my connections to arrange meetings on Wall Street to raise capital. Sometimes not knowing is better.

If you’re looking to start your own business, the advice I would offer is:

• Create the product- you can’t be the product.
• ‘No means maybe’- people just don’t know yet.
• You can learn much more by asking.
• Stay positive, resilient, and persistent and don’t take things personally. Love what you do and surround yourself with positive thinkers.

How has your upbringing influenced the work that you do today?

I’m from Canada, and there were always four distinct seasons. I played sport and tried to be healthy and natural. Our home was like a halfway house for children who were in between terrible things. I actively participated in food drives, sent toys to UNICEF collections and volunteered at hospitals.

Maasai Mara, c/o Dayle Haddon.

How do you maintain a work/life balance?

I don’t! Part of my work is my fun, but I am conscious not to burn out. I am disciplined about exercise and I walk my dogs in Central Park regularly. I am not a good vacation person, and only really take them for work purposes. I do like having massages, but I don’t like any other beauty treatments- I guess because I associate them with work. For me, the weekend is sacrosanct. I like museums, but not going to the cinema. I like to be around nature, particularly outside of the city, and spending time with my friends and family.

What lessons have you learned from the challenges that you’ve experienced in your life?

Don’t give up. Persistence is more important than talent. Enthusiasm, passion and excitement are what people relate to. Exhaust people into doing what you want. It’s not personal- don’t waste your energy!

There are many creative ways to knock the socks off and convince people both at the top and the bottom.

Dayle in the Congo with a young child she supports, c/o Dayle Haddon.

How has mentoring made a difference in your personal and professional life?

You always need to ask the opinions of others in life, and it’s important to keep collaborating for new blood and new ideas. I would suggest to readers that don’t ask for money, but instead, ask for advice. People are more willing to share their advice, and if they like your idea, hopefully they will then give capital!

Everyone likes to help those younger than them. I always talk to my interns about what they have learnt.

I continue to mentor and work with women at different stages of their career. For example, Fran Hauser helps WomenOne through her connections and also through her excellent brainstorming. It’s important that women step up to the plate and use all their resources to help.

It’s also important to say thank you all the time with notes, flowers, or simply words. Without them you didn’t get there.

I would rather like myself that get ahead. When you leave this world, leave it better because of your presence. Make up for what you took.

Who do you seek inspiration from?

My grandchildren, daughter and people that I meet everyday. I always ask cab drivers what keeps them optimistic, and they say that it’s their customers.

Dayle with Malala, c/o Dayle Haddon.

Which female leaders do you admire and why?

Hillary Clinton, Malala, Christiane Amanpour, Aung San Suu Kyi, Gloria Steinem. My Mom is a big inspiration.

I think people going the extra mile don’t always get validation. Moms raising kids are doing such an important job as they are raising new human beings. They are unsung heroines. My daughter is a full time Mom, and she’s my hero.

What words do you think best describe who you are?

Laughter, joy, love and making a difference. A loving person for those around me and those who I touch.

Rania and Suaid, two women that Dayle interviewed, c/o Dayle Haddon.

Piqued PR: Interview with Founder, Patricia Maristch

It's always interesting to hear how other women in my field of work started out, and Patricia Maristch is no exception. Passionate about PR, Patricia founded her own firm, Piqued PR and is based in Philadelphia. Read on to find out more about her inspiring story! Patricia has also started a branch of Local Levo (of Levo League fame!) in Philadelphia.

What initially interested you about PR?
I didn’t really know anything about PR until I started applying to colleges. A family friend who works in communications overseas at Deloitte suggested I study PR. I had always been a strong writer and desired to work in fashion but knew I was not a designer. PR would allow me to work with fashion related brands and apply my gift for writing. It seemed like the perfect fit from the beginning.

How did you go about establishing your PR firm? 
Prior to establishing my own PR firm I had worked in house at a firm in the city handling PR. During my time there I freelanced on the side with any business I could get. Actually, one of the first freelance clients I started working with was a local politician! Freelancing while still at a firm allowed me to establish a clientele for which I could later leave my full time position for and create Piqued Public Relations.

What's it like to run your own business?
Running your own business is a lot of fun but also a ton of work and therefore stress. It is nice to be able to create your own schedule and be truly creative in your own way but also stressful because everything relies on you. You are your brand. I’m often working on nights and weekends to finish up projects but I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s been such a blessing to be able to start my own firm.

What's a typical day like for you? 
No day is really the same for me. Most days I wake up and check all the social media pages I handle while still in bed. Next on my list is reading industry sites (Mashable, PR Daily, etc.) and blogs. I then move onto tackling my inbox. Depending on the day I’m either visiting clients, planning social media posts, writing blog posts, creating proposals, drafting press releases, planning events and communicating with editors. At night I work with my Mom on the business and accounting side, she’s a saint to handle help me.

What challenges have you faced? 
The biggest challenge I’ve faced so far is dealing with contracts and proposals. You want to be competitive but still attainable. Often times people attempt to take advantage of me or not take me as serious due to my age. It’s all about proving yourself.

What advice can you offer to young women hoping to have a career in PR? 
My advice to those hoping to have a career in PR is to intern and network as much as possible. While in school I had a total of 5 internships. I’d also (and still do) attend as many events as possible to get myself out there. Both interning and networking build lasting relationships.

How would you encourage a young female currently working in PR to start her own business? 
Work hard and be nice to people. I’m pretty sure that’s a quote that’s been circulating around Pinterest but it couldn’t be more true.

You've got a great sense of personal style- what are your favorite 'go-to' looks?
Thank you! During the summer I live in maxis and wedges while in the fall you can’t get me out of cashmere ponchos and riding boots. Right now I keep reaching for my boyfriend style jeans from James Jeans, the “Neo Beau” I love them with a colored or printed blazer and heels.

What are your favorite brands? 
My style tends to be colorful and preppy so some of my favorite brands are Trina Turk, Lilly Pulitzer, JCrew and DVF. For shoes I love Tory Burch, Delman and Elaine Turner. There’s nothing like a classic Louis or Chanel bag.

Whose dress sense do you particularly admire? 
I adore Olivia Palermo and Blair of Atlantic Pacific their style is preppy but modern.

How did you get involved in Local Levo? 
I initially found out about the Levo League through Carly of the College Prepster. I always read her blog and about a year or so she started working for Levo. I was intrigued and inspired by what the organization was doing so I reached out about starting a Local Levo in Philadelphia.

What are your hopes and plans for Local Levo in Philadelphia? 
My hopes for Local Levo as that we continue to have more and more young professionals females attend events. I’ve met some friends whom I’ve personally become very close with through our events so I hope to continue to meet new people through the organization.

Piqued PR

Political Style featured on The Fresh Outlook

I was interviewed earlier this week about President Obama and the popularity polls. The article is biographical in style, and you can read it here.