We will continue our 15 year celebration by taking a little time to look back at the 15 Atlantic Pacific milestones. These moments were very different, some were personal milestones, some were amazing recognition moments, some were huge and incredible occasions. I’m posting all of this with two big warnings. One thing I’m positive that could have left a very important milestone moment from this list. And the second one is not listed in order. Since the AP began, there have been so many incredible milestones, and there’s no way to summarise it in just 15 pinch ME moments. But for editing, I’m going here…
It was featured in the September issue of Vogue. I was living in science fiction at the time and was totally distrustful when I received the offer to join CoverGirl ads. I flew to New York for a few days to film. In fact, this was my first official editorial shoot, finished with hair, makeup and professional photographers!
Recognition from my favorite website. WhoWhatwear was my early Bible and they did a very fun feature called “Style Stalker.” Initially, the post was run only once a month, featuring multiple street style looks from a variety of creators, celebrities and everyday people. The editorial team has switched formats and decided to have only one person per month. They asked if they were interested in me being the first singular person to feature and request images. They said nothing was set on stones and could very well introduce someone else. I won’t know until it’s published. I remember when it was published in Gap, San Francisco. My whole team was celebrating with me and was very supportive. To this day, it is one of my favorite Atlantic Pacific memories.
My first big brand trip. David Yerman was the first client to offer me a paid partnership, including travel. I was on the floor. In July 2011, I flew to New York for a rooftop party to celebrate the brand. I was very excited and nervous. This is the first time I personally saw a brand beginning to invest more in creators.
Cool kids features. Coveteur was a big deal back then. When I first moved to New York, they asked if they could come and photograph the features of my apartment. I felt like I couldn’t say no, but I was also terrified. They shot millions of dollars celebrity homes! Now they’re climbing the stairs five times to my one-bedroom apartment in West Village. It was a truly amazing experience and an experience to remember. Please take a look here.
My first beauty collaboration. A nail polish line with Sephora! Manicure was a huge and integral part of my outfit, but now I’m riding the waves. I was over the moon when Sephora approached me for a limited edition collection.
I’m quitting my company job. It was a big decision to take the plunge and finally quit my full-time job and run Atlantic Pacific. I’ve been running at Atlantic Pacific for nearly seven years, working in corporate fashion, running by the side. I decided it was time to concentrate on the AP. My salary on the Associated Press had quite overturned my HQ salary a few years ago, but I really really loved my job. Honestly, I still miss it. At this point, I started talking with major retailers like Nordstrom about creating a collaboration line. While it was bittersweet I knew it was time. I couldn’t stay in two places at once.
My Nordstrom collection. Talk about a very complete circle and special moments. I have always been a Nordstrom shopper and have a background in corporate retail and fashion, so creating a line always remains at the top of my list of accomplishments. It was tough and fun, and it was all rewarding at the same time. After the first collection was released in the fall of 2018, the Nordstrom team asked if I was open for five more seasons. It was the easiest “yes” ever. I loved working with their team. The collection allowed me to meet many of you and see all the ways you creatively styled your work. Some of my favorite memories of the past 15 years!
UK road trip with Range Rover. Range Rover has been one of my lifestyle partners for many years and they have taken me to some pretty exciting places. One highlight was embarking on a brand road trip from London to the Cotswolds. Several special brand trips that have stood out over the years have traveled to Japan with iconic brand Mikimoto, taking part in very special events in Omega and Shanghai, traveling through France with Veve Clicot. I am very fortunate.
Working with fellow creatives at Tory Burch. Lele Sadoughhi is a very talented gem designer who started J.Crew Jewelry and later worked at Tory Burch when I was there. A few years later, we are both working for ourselves, and she is building her impressive accessory empire of the same name. I was honored that she asked me to design the collection together. We created not one but two collections, it was such an explosion!
Architectural Digest features. Buying my first home in Florida was a big personal milestone. Two years after the house was renovated, it was chosen as an Arch Digest feature. It was a very difficult moment! I’ve never really dabbled in interior design and it was a fun project to develop creatively.
It is featured in the Banana Republic Classic Campaign. Banana Republic was not only the place I worked, but also one of my favourite retailers. Their team was so lovely to work with and I was so honored to be filmed and featured in their classic campaign in 2023! True full circle moment as Gap Inc. Girlie. You can see the campaign here.
Create a collection of dreams! After a long partnership with Nordstrom, I vowed not to partner with anyone else to wear it immediately, unless it fits perfectly. Well, that happened. In 2022, Tuckarnack contacted a partner in the capsule collection with ready clothes and jewelry. The team was a complete dream of working together from top to bottom. I was impressed by the Tuckernack team’s endless drive and creativity. From start to finish, I don’t know if I’ve changed things or not. This is one of the most fun and rewarding projects I have ever worked on.
Great articles from the times. I was featured in the Times. An article written by Anna Murphy, lovely, intelligent, fellow color enthusiast. You can see the full story here!
Borden’s Holiday Book. I talked about this in my post yesterday, what an honor. I love this brand and I found it really great to share more lasting moments with the retailers I admire.
Celebrating 15 years. This is a whimsical industry. It’s hard to get into, and even more difficult to get into. Fifteen years later, I am excited to continue to have my seat at the table. Thank you for your support!
Source: Atlantic-Pacific – www.the-atlantic-pacific.com
