It's not every day you get to sit down with the CEO of a luxury company, much less five! Talking to the CEO of Graff, the president of LVMH perfume and cosmetics North America, the president of fashion at Chanel, CEO of Hermes, president of Ferragamo AND the CEO of Lalique at a round table breakfast hosted by Gotham magazine was one of the highlights of my career. Below is their take on the future of social commerce and digital marketing 2.0.
OK Magazine: The Time I Discussed Amy Winehouse with Mitch Winehouse
True story: In 2009, I took a trip to St. Lucia. I was writing a piece about how Amy Winehouse had a major impact (in a good way) on the tiny island's economy. For 72 hours, I was with Amy as she took the stage at St. Lucia Jazz Fest, went swimming in the ocean and hiked up a mountain to see a litter of new born puppies. She was tortured, but beautiful. Sad, but made us all laugh. Dark in some ways, but her presence brought light. This random editoral in OK! Magazine where I was pit against Mitch Winehouse has deeper meaning for me. My quote spoke from experience of hanging with one of the greatest artists of our time... and I still love that runway look from that Jean Paul Gaultier collection.
Hitha Herzog discussing Amy Winehouse: "Amy WInehouse was a cultural icon when she was a live despite her problems with substance abuse. In Gaultier's defense, fashion designers draw inspiration from everywhere! I think the images of Amy is fair game; there was nothing off color about the presentation. All the models...well...looked just like her. Would it have been nice to consult her family before? Sure. But I see it as more of an homage to her as opposed to disrespect."
Representing the Republic of Lancome: Hitha Herzog in the New York Times
"I think maybe in the 80s and 90s, being a model was really glamourous and sophisticated and interesting and now when you tell people you are a model, it's almost like 'uch.' Ms. Prabhakar said. There is no great association to it. But when you tell someone you are an ambassador, I mean, you think of an ambassador to a country, they're actuall official, they're doing things." - Hitha Prabhakar
Snippet from the New York Times, discussing model ambassadors. Copy of Hitha Herzog's comments reads: Hitha Prabhakar, a principal of the Stylefile Group, a retail consulting firm, said some brand ambassadors for fashion houses make $200,000 to $500,000 a year, with free merchandise and travel expenses, though some, like Ms. Traina and her ilk, are unsalaried. "I think maybe in the '80s and '90s, being a model was really glamorous and sophisticated and interesting and now when you tell people you are a model, it's almost like 'uch.' Ms. Prabhakar said. There is no great association to it. But when you tell someone you are an ambassador, I mean, you think of an ambassador to a country, they're actually official, they're doing things."
Vogue India's Most Stylish Indian Women in the World
When Vogue India calls to put you in the pages of their magazine, you answer and say yes to whatever they want to do. For their annual "Most Stylish Indian Women in the World," Phil Oh and I headed to the west side of Manhattan to walk and talk in the rain. Nothing staged or over dramatic, just a quick walk to my office with one of the best photographers in the country!
Hitha Herzog in a floral purple dress and patent Louboutins. Copy reads: Hitha Prabhakar, 34, New York Retail Analyst and On-air Correspondent. New Mexico and New York are a long way from each other, both physically and sartorially. The daughter of doctors, Prabhakar grew up in the open spaces of the desert and now lives in New York's concrete jungle, but it's her Indian roots that have influenced her look. "I'm not afraid of jewel tones and bold prints, and on-air I always wear something vibrant. I'm also obsessed with sparkly jewelry from Tom Binns Design and Iosselliari." The dichotomy between her childhood home and her new city runs through her wardrobe—"I'm like 70s housewife-meets-punk-rocker; think Sid and Nancy (1986) meets The Love Story (1970) meets The Graduate (1967)." Shopping haunts: The Brooklyn Flea Market and the Meatpacking District.