ec: Hey Corinne, thanks for taking the time to chat with me about your company, Urban Darling. Before we jump into all the pluses of working with Urban Darling, I am always curious where people come up with the names for their companies. What I love about Urban Darling is that you take on a different personae just by saying Urban Darling. I know when I say it I spend a little more time on the word darling…so do tell.

CP: This idea come to me that when I was starting a company I wanted a cool name that was easy to say and easy to spell. People butcher my name and I was really tired of that. Quite embarrassing too when you are in an interview and someone says your name incorrectly (not that you do Elizabeth, you are darling) so I opened up an Excel Spreadsheet and had 4 categories. I forget what they are now, but I brainstormed all these adjectives that described who I thought I wanted to represent and Urban Darling were on top of one another – I went to www.urbandarling.com and found that is was available and I bought it. I felt like I got a kiss from the Universe!

ec: Why did you first sense that fashion along with shopping were two passions that were in your DNA?

CP: Haa haa, yes definitely in my DNA – my mother is a nurse by trade and a seamstress by passion. She sewed all of her own clothing in high school. I used to joke that she would prop her Vogue magazines on her belly when I was cooking. It was infused into me. I remember when I was 10 years old and ESPRIT was big and so was pink and grey – I had this matchy matchy outfit that I loved but no SHOES to go with it. I was heartbroken and decided to wear my mother’s pink jellies (a full 2 sizes bigger) with the outfit. A fashionista was born.

ec: What made you believe that the time was right for Urban Darling? What expertise in your own background gave you the moxie to forge ahead with a company that does much more then just help women put this with that? From what I can tell, you have given women the right to feel great about themselves and the right to look freaking fabulous without breaking the bank or a sweat.

CP: Absolutely – we give a woman her permission back. It is an intimate experience for a lot of our clients; we connect and make them shine.
You know, I lead with my intuition and starting Urban Darling for me was as simple as this “Am I going to be an action person or am I am someone who says they are going to do something and never does it.” I got tired of hearing my own thoughts. I had enough leadership training, it was time to turn all of that inward. Since August of 2006 I have been a machine and asked myself “why didn’t I do this sooner?”

ec: I like how you market Urban Darling as the working woman’s wardrobe stylist. It seems that by working with one of Urban Darling’s fashion consultants a woman can discover a more confident and sassy version of herself along with one less thing to have to worry about in her demanding, time crunched life. Can you tell us more about Urban Darling’s philosophy?

CP: Our philosophy is simple: Urban Darling is defining, cultivating and revolutionizing the approach to wardrobe consulting with everyday luxury, humor, signature style, and living a modern life with sophistication and splash of sass. We are eco-friendly paying the purged wardrobe items forward to charities. Care to join the revolution?

ec: A lot of women look into their closets and bemoan the fact that they have nothing to wear. I believe sometimes women don’t because they fall in love (or hate) with clothing that will never work with anything in their closets and well intentioned garments are banished to the dark corner of the closets. When you take on a new client how do you help them renew, reinvent, recapture their wardrobe and embrace their new sense of style?

CP: Good question Elizabeth. It is really a bit different for everyone. We go through a closet audit with the Purge Merge Splurge™ process. Purge is touching every piece of clothing and put it in one of three piles: Keep, Alter, Donate. The worst of closets have treasures in those dark corners. We have the hind and fore sight to make educated decisions with our clients about their wardrobe.
Merge is taking what is left over and we will show you how to make the most of your current clothes and accessories.  We’ll talk about how to mix and match your current pieces, create new combinations and outfits and suggest pieces you may want to add that really reflect the personal style you are creating.
Splurge with the pared down wardrobe there is now room for some new things.  We’ll shop and show you how to find those great new pieces that reflect your style, budget, life and most of all, make you smile.

ec: When you or one of your Closet Auditors comes in to revamp a closet does every item get marching orders or do you hold onto basics and unique pieces?

CP: We always hold on to basics, unless a client has worn them to the ground, then we replace!

ec: How do your wardrobe stylists walk their clients through the Purge, Merge and Splurge! ™ program? And are there a lot of tears and gnashing of teeth during the process? I read that all gently worn clothing marked for the purge pile is donated to a local charity and your client gets a tax deduction. So Urban Darling is an eco-friendly company with a heart.

CP: We are eco-friendly! We try not to annihilate a wardrobe, which will cause anxiety. Although some women love it, I have to admit. We love giving back, in fact it is one of the philosophies we adhere to.

ec: One trend I have seen more of and just love is shopping for vintage clothing and updating one’s wardrobe with the help of a consignment shop. Do you encourage your clients to rethink where their clothing comes from and finally what is so great about going off the beaten path when adding one of a kind gems to ones wardrobe?

CP: We do. We take the accessory route for vintage and antique pieces. I am not a vintage expert – we’d love to have someone who is!

ec: What do you see as becoming fashion forward statements in 2010? Will we still be mixing plaid with stripes, toppling over in heels that go up to there (but they do make our legs the center of the universe) or is fashion going to be making a quieter, more gentler statement (hope not)?

CP: Honestly, I have no idea. I mean that the designers are a bit of a loss with where their direction is. Florals? Ewww. Shoulder pads?? WTH?? I mean I know we recycle style, but what we are seeing now is not that different than 1987. I wish they were more bold. I do like Zack Lo Shoes though…he’s got talent and gumption. We need someone to get creative.

ec: With all the success that Urban Darling has bought you still make time to give back to up and coming entrepreneurs. What are some of the pros and cons you tell them to consider before they start own business?

CP: I tell them they won’t make the big bucks the first couple of years! I am beginning my 4th year in August and 2009 was 50% down from 2008. You have to have an iron stomach, not take things personal “It’s just business” and have a passion that makes you want to turn naked cart wheels in the street.

ec: What are your future plans for Urban Darling?

CP: Oh we are going big. I am licensing to women who want to break into wardrobe styling or join their own styling company with a brand that is about to knock the socks off the world. I want 30 chapters of Urban Darling by end of 2011!

ec: If people are interested in channeling their inner wardrobe stylist and becoming part of the Urban Darling Dynasty, how can they connect with you?

CP: Two ways: email me at Corinne@urbandarling.com or pick up the phone and call me at 408 332 3655

ec: I thank you for taking the time to talk to us about Urban Darling and its philosophy for bringing out the best in our wardrobe and ourselves.. And finally, do these shoes go with this outfit?

CP: Oh thank you Elizabeth, this is awesome to get to talk about the company!

Corinne Phipps: Trendsetter, Entrepreneur, Fashion Correspondent for NBC Bay Area and Founder of Urban Darling®.

        

When I stand up for
those I love,
they call me a
bitch.

When I speak my mind, think my own thoughts
or do things my own way, they call me a
bitch.

Being abitch
means I won’t
compromise what’s
in my heart.
It means I live my life MYway.
It means I won’t allow anyone to step on me.

When I refuse to
tolerate injustice and
speak against it, I am
defined as a
bitch.

The same thing happens when I take time for
myself instead of being everyone’s maid, or when I act a little selfish.

It means I have the courage and strength to allow myself to be who I truly am and won’t become anyone else’s idea of what they think I ’should’ be.
I am outspoken, opinionated and determined. I want what I want and there is nothing wrong with that!
So try to stomp on me, just try to douse my inner flame, try to squash every ounce  of beauty I hold within me.
You won’t succeed.

And if that makes me abitch,so be it.
I embrace the title and am proud to bear it.

B – Babe
I – In
T – Total
C – Control of
H – Herself

B = Beautiful
I = Intelligent
T = Talented
C = Charming
H = Hell of a Woman

B = Beautiful
I = Individual
T = That
C = Can
H = Handle ‘anything’

        

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/32538061/ns/today-today_fashion_and_beauty/

        

I would like to thank Carol for taking the time to answer my questions. We both are from Long Island, New York and we both did stand up in NY. She went on to be very successful (she got a very funny book published) and I got to interview her. So it worked out fine in the end.

ec.  We both grew up on Long Island but we never had any play dates together. Another thing we have in common were fathers who were both naturally very funny. Were you influenced by your father’s sense of humor or did you develop your own style?

CL. My father was a huge influence on me.  He was an optometrist by trade (and how could he NOT go into that profession with a name like Seymour – SEE MORE?  Get it?) but always dreamed of being a comedian.  He was the king of the joke tellers and no one told a joke like he did.  I was very fascinated by him as a young girl watching him hold court and tell jokes to friends around the neighborhood or at family gatherings.  My father also had good taste in comedians.  He would always call us kids down to the basement when a great comic was on The Ed Sullivan Show.  So comedy was important to the family and I believe it’s in your DNA when you grow up like that.

ec. I remember seeing you perform when I was a comic wannabe. I do recall quite clearly how tough it was to be a woman and a comic back in the mid 1980s.  How did you keep going when comedy clubs owners were not that supportive of women comics and were just a tad sexist? Or was your experience different?

CL.There were very few women comics when I started out doing stand-up.  But I always saw that as a great advantage.  It was incredibly sexist back then – the club owner would put together line-ups like, “Okay, we’ve got the monkey act, the ventriloquist, we’ll put a woman on, and then the impressionist.”  But at least I got on!  I always say to women, “Take advantage of the fact that you’re in the minority, don’t see it as a disadvantage.  You’re that much more unique when there’s fewer of you.”

ec. Did becoming a stand up comic trump all other careers? Did you look at it as a passionate calling or just a way to pay the rent while you were looking for something else?

CL. Stand-up comedy, and getting good at it, is such a ballbuster career that if you’re not pursuing it as your passion, you’ll last about three seconds.  I always like to put it this way – They say that most peoples’ greatest fear is speaking in front of large groups of strangers.  I contend that most comedians’ greatest fear is NOT speaking in front of large groups of strangers.  Again, it gets back to DNA – if it’s not in your bones, you’ll never have the fortitude and strength to sustain the great challenges that go along with a stand-up career.

ec. And is it true that the character of Elaine Benes from the Seinfeld show was based on you? And I know all the Seinfeld fans will want to know – do you really dance like Elaine?

CL.Completely false.  I am the inspiration for Kramer.  You should see the smooth way I enter an apartment!

ec. I had a good laugh when I heard the name of your book: When You Lie about Your Age, the Terrorists Win. Where did this title come from?

CL.The title is from one of the essays in my book.  The message of the book is all about loving and embracing your age and your life, whatever age you might be.  I have been blown away by the response of readers so far!  I got a Facebook message from a young woman who is 24, thanking me, saying “I was so afraid of getting older.  But your book is like a how-to in aging with grace and dignity.  I’m not afraid anymore.”  To even more messages from guys saying how funny they think the book is.  There’s a positive message for everyone who reads it, if I do say so myself.

ec. How is the book tour going? It seems you kicked the Octomom off the talk shows and for that we are very grateful.

CL.The book tour is going phenomenally well.  I was so honored that all these shows, shows that I love, had me on – Leno, Letterman, The View, Bill Maher.  You have no idea how thrilling it is when Oprah Winfrey is reading from your book on her show!  I can certainly die and go to heaven, no problem.  And doing The Howard Stern show again was a hoot – but then again, what OTHER show are you going to go on to talk about your lesbian affair?!?

ec. In your book, ‘When You Lie about Your Age, the Terrorists Win’, you talk about turning 40. Today most feel that turning 40 is no biggie and that a card and maybe a nice dinner would make turning 40 memorable. But not you. Would you like to share how you dealt with turning 40?

CL. I wrote the book in large measure because my life got so much better after forty.  That’s something that most women don’t expect to hear, but I hit the motherload.  I found the love of my life, became an animal person, got bat mitzvahed at 45, and then, adopted a baby at 50!  I’m having the best time of my life and people don’t hear that message enough.  They think, “I’m 40.  I’m formed.  It’s over.”  But I want to spread the word that the best part of your life can start at 40 and beyond if you don’t buy the hype.  You also get so much smarter as you get older and that doesn’t get the air play out there that it deserves.  I cried when I turned 34 for no other reason than 34 sounded old to me at the time.  That seems pretty dumb now 18 years later.  So I wrote this book so women would stop their sobbing about aging!

ec. So you meet Lori, and that’s it for you. You two have been together for 12 years. That makes you 52.  You’re still younger than me. Seem so unfair. How was coming out as a lesbian received by your friends and family? I personally think it’s great that you didn’t have to deal with speed dating and eHarmony.

CL.My family was amazing about it.  Although my Dad did ask, “Was it the golf lessons?”

And clearly, my straight male friends were the most supportive.  They were like, “Carol…I want to hear EVERYTHING.  Slowly and in great detail, please.”

ec. One thing that I find liberating about adding years to our lives is the right to reinvent ourselves and get involved with causes that make our lives more fulfilling. Can you tell us a little about some of the issues that you are putting your energy into now?

CL. I am involved with lots of non-profits that are important to me.  I am very pro-choice so I do a lot of events with Planned Parenthood.  Gay rights, Jewish causes, animal issues – they all live deeply inside me.  And I feel very strongly about giving back.  I’ve been so blessed in my career as a stand-up, a television writer and now, as an author.  And I do believe that in my heart that what you give out, you get back in spades.  So it’s a win/win.

ec It seems that you were a late bloomer when it came to animals. I read that you and Lori have 7 rescued dogs. From what I can tell, my rescued cats can probably beat up most of them. How did this change of heart come to be?

CL. I had never had a pet as a child.  But my partner Lori had a dog and 2 cats when we finally moved in together.  And I have to say I challenge anyone – to live with an animal for at least 6 months, and not be completely smitten at the end of those six months.  Their unconditional love, their unwavering support and companionship – I can’t believe I only started to love animals in this way in my forties.  How much more joyous my younger years would have been being enveloped in animal love!

ec. Maybe you can explain this to me -what is attraction to golf? It can’t be the shoes, can it?

CL. Golf is a lot like stand-up comedy.  You have to suck to get good in the long run and I have always loved a challenge like that.

The shoes are funny and always keep me laughing, especially when I suck extra hard!

ec. Your son, Bruno, is almost 3.  What changes has motherhood bought to you and Lori’s lives? Is he a funny little boy?

CL. I adopted Bruno when I was 50!  And it’s pretty funny getting Parents Magazine in the mail the same time as AARP magazine arrives in the mail.  But motherhood is great.  Bruno has two mommies – his Oedipus complex is now a threesome!  And Bruno has 2 Jewish Mommies, to boot!  If this kid is ever hungry, it’ll be a freakin’ miracle!

The biggest adjustment, honestly, having a baby at 50 was the crying all night – I kept waking the baby!

Bruno is so funny.  He loves to watch me weigh myself.  The last time I did, I got on the scale, Bruno looked down and said, “Not so bad!”  Wonder where he heard that from.

ec. What would you like to say to the younger women who are maybe a little forgetful about the struggles that their sisters and mothers experienced in making the road that they travel today a little easier? Is feminism on life support or just lurking in the background?

CL.I am very pro-choice and I go to all the marches.  And I’ve noticed that it’s mostly me and the old broads.  I want more younger women to get engaged.  These rights are not set in stone, they could all go away in a puff of smoke.  So I want to encourage more women to get up and join us!  We’ve come a long way, baby – oh yes, we have!  But the idea wasn’t to get there and then open up a folding chair.

ec. And finally, most people seem to think that if you can get in front of a group of mildly intoxicated people and make them laugh and forget about their problems then you are capable of doing almost anything in the world.  So, Carol, what is the next big project? Please don’t say that it involves a Barcalounger and the call of the sweatpants.

CL. I’m on the brink of 53.  I love my life and it does get sweeter everyday!  But man, am I lazy now!  I swear that when I go to the mall and I see that an escalator is broken, the first thought that pops into my head is always, “WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!?  IS IT AMISH DAY NOW AT THE MALL?!?”  I just want to be home in my sweatpants all the time – now that’s living!

Thanks, Carol.  And if you are looking for a great summer read (or for any time of the year) pick up, ‘When You Life About Your Age, The Terrorists Win.’  You will laugh out loud  more than once. Guaranteed.