Original text by Vivienne Tang
Photography by Laurent Segrétier
Kim Raver, who plays Editor-in-Chief Nico Reilly in the TV series Lipstick Jungle, says it best when commenting on her office rivalry with character Mike Harness in the series’ first episode. “It’s a lose-lose situation with the corporate world,” she says. “If you want to start a family, you’re distracted, and if you don’t, then there’s something wrong with you. You’re unnatural. You hate men. You’re hiding testicles under your skirt.”
But there’s plenty of evidence that it can be done. There are many women out there who cook breakfast for their family, have business meetings all day, then come home to tuck their kids in at night. In the same TV series, movie mogul and mother Wendy Healy, played by Brooke Shields, shows once again that while these women might struggle, they can have it all juggling a successful career and quality family time.
“Being a mother has been the most incredible experience out of all of them,” says Garcia. “I just prioritise. There’s a priority list. All the things I do, I enjoy doing very much. I love what I do as an editor. It’s my life dream. The show has been incredible, as it has been an extension of my work as a fashion editor. The book has been a combination of all the years in the business and all the observations I’ve had during those years.”
Garcia is no pushover who blindly follows trends and fashion dictates. She’s more of a pioneer, a fashion maverick. She knows what she wants and she sets the trends, embracing her own look and style. In her book, she advises women to find what works for them and become more self-confident, to become fashion leaders, creating their own trends. She inspires fashion lovers to think outside the box, to break the rules and to personalise their wardrobes. She applies this attitude to her work as well as her personal life.
“It’s really about what works for you, not trying to be so perfect, so manicured,” she says. “I admire Jennifer Lopez. Here’s another example of somebody who didn’t really fit into the mould of what we thought a Hollywood girl would look like. She was Latina. She wasn’t pencil thin. She wasn’t blonde. She was the opposite of all that. It’s that confidence. She loves her body. She loves the way she is. She loves her hair, and that’s what makes her stand out, and that’s what I want women to be inspired to do, to say, ‘You know what, my hair is curly. But my hair can be curly, and it can be amazing!’ It’s really about owning up to your weaknesses. Your imperfections might be your biggest asset.”
