Why Be a Socialite?

Everybody knows that being a New York socialite is far superior to climbing the city’s unforgiving corporate ladder. There is simply no comparison when you look at a typical day in the life of a socialite next to one of your average young professional. Perhaps, it is time you started climbing the gilded social ladder instead of the rocky corporate one because the life of a socialite has no glass ceiling. Discovering your socialite alter ego is one thing, but becoming one is quite another.

A Typical Day in the Life of a Young Professional:
7:45 a.m: Sadly, it’s wake up time. Maybe you shouldn’t have had that extra martini last night because it is only making it that much harder to get out of bed.

8:40 a.m: Wait in line at the Starbucks around the corner from your office for a much needed coffee fix.
9:05 a.m: Run to get through building security in the lobby because that coffee line just made you 10 minutes late.
9:15 a.m: Race through the doors of your office and smile at your CEO. Both corporate and social ladder climbers need to get in good with the powerful.
10:00 a.m: Catch up on endless emails and client calls
11:35 a.m: Second coffee run of the day
12:45 p.m: Lunch meeting with the boss and co-workers to go over something you already went over.
2:00 p.m: Crunch numbers and put together a solid plan that is sure to get you promoted or at least get you a bonus.
3:05 p.m: Still writing up the plan. Time to make a chart.
4:00 p.m: Pick out the best template for your Power Point presentation
6:15 p.m: Time to leave the office for some much needed yoga
8:00 p.m: Eat and relax in your tiny 5th floor Manhattan walk-up and get ready to do it all over again tomorrow.

A Typical Day in the Life of a New York Socialite:

11:00 a.m: Wake up rested in your tastefully decorated penthouse
12:00 a.m: Hit the gym with your girlfriends and your personal trainer
1:30 p.m: Meet with your publicist and the show’s PR team to plan out your appearance on a major television program.
2:15 p.m: Pick up a new eye kit at the Bloomingdales makeup counter. You then decide to pick out a new Fendi bag while you are there.
3:30 p.m: It’s off to hair and makeup followed by a photo shoot with your fav photographer.
5:00 p.m: Stop by your stylist’s office to get fitted for a dress for the next charity event.
6:00 p.m: Downtime
9:00 p.m: Get ready for a hot high profile date consisting of dinner, clubbing, and a spur of the moment trip to the Hamptons bound to make it onto Perez Hilton.

Jaimie Hilfiger on Old Hollywood Romance

By: Vicky Sullivan (Founder/CEO of Aspiring Socialite) for Cupid’s Pulse

Supermodel Jaimie Hilfiger, niece of famed fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger, has been seen around town wearing the latest in fashion which includes old Hollywood styles. During L.A. Fashion Week, she wore a light pink cocktail dress complete with old world-inspired lace and Edwardian beadwork designed by Sue Wong to the designer’s My Fair Lady Champagne Brunch/Fashion Show at The Ceders, the former historic Hollywood home of silent-screen icon Norma Talmadge, which was purchased by Wong in 2004. Hilfiger’s most recent project is being the face of boyfriend Igal Dehan’s jewelry line, Cuffs of Love, worn by celebrities like Kim Kardashian, the Hilton sisters, and Stevie Wonder.

Hilfiger took time to speak exclusively with me about love, dating and celebrity style. For hopeless romantics intent on experiencing the romance and chivalry of old Hollywood, this young model reveals how to glam up your love life simply by bringing back nostalgic designs and genuine class. As a socialite, your love life should be as glamourous as you are:

What do you like best about old Hollywood styles?

Old Hollywood has inspired so many recent styles, with high-collared fitted outfits and of course, hats. Kate Middleton has taken a lot of her style from old Hollywood and My Fair Lady inspirations. There is just so much one-of-a-kind craftsmanship that goes into these fashions.

How do you incorporate the romance of old Hollywood into your everyday life?

My boyfriend, Igal Dehen, is from Paris so it’s always a romance movie in my house. At the height of old Hollywood, men had a lot of manners and courted women with the utmost respect.

Do you feel that wearing these soft, glamorous styles evoke old-school romance?

Yes, you’re absolutely treated differently. When you present yourself with class, you’re treated with class. People also tend to take you more seriously in classically beautiful styles.

How has being from a famous family affected your dating life?

You have to find someone who doesn’t care either way and is there for you. They must be successful in their own right and aren’t looking for a free ride.

Besides a man, what is your favorite accessory?

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.

What tips can you give our readers on how to get ready for a date?

The day of the date you should wake up early and go to the gym. Make time to talk to your girlfriends that day. Wear something hot, but not slutty. It is very important that you’re comfortable in what you wear, or you won’t be comfortable on the date. Don’t be exactly on time, because chances are he won’t be. But don’t be any more than 10 minutes late, because otherwise you look like a diva.

How do you dress for a casual vs. formal date?

No matter if the date is casual or formal, you should always be comfortable in what you’re wearing. Always ask what you’re doing first so you know what to wear. Even if you’re wearing heels to a fancy dinner, you should bring along a pair of flats in your purse in the event that you take a walk on the beach after dinner.

What other dating tips and advice can you give us?

Don’t text or be on your phone while on a date. Be polite and ladylike. Always say “please” and “thank you.” Remember that 90 to 95 percent of the time he’s more nervous than you are.

For more on Miss Hilfiger, visit her website, Facebook page and follow her on Twitter: @JamieHilfiger. Stay tuned for more inside tips from Jaimie on fashion and making an entrance worthy of socialite status exclusively on Aspiring Socialite.

My New Address is 666 Park Ave.

Being a socialite can be wicked fun, not to mention a magical experience. But, what happens when the socialites are witches? I intend to uncover the dark world of socialite sorcery by making 666 Park Ave. my next beachside read. This new novel by Gabriella Pierce, is said to be a pure evil mixture of Gossip Girl and The Vampire Diaries. 666 Park Ave. tells the story of Jane Boyle, a Paris-based architect who falls in love with a rich and handsome Upper East Sider named Malcolm Doran. When she moves to New York to start her fairy tale life with Malcolm, Jane is entrenched into the dark secrets that come with being a part of the esteemed Doran clan, a family with a supernatural hold on New York’s high society.

Those with deep pockets tend to have even deeper secrets. Jane’s newfound magical abilities challenge everything she ever knew about good and evil. Not only must she cope with the pressures of wealth and witchcraft, Jane must also struggle with those who intend to take them from her. Forget everything you knew about Park Ave. princesses because in this fairy tale, it seems that the riches may be going to the witches for a change. 666 Park Ave. is available on Amazon. If this novel turns into a TV show or movie, it would be an honor to make a cameo appearance. In the meantime, I may pay a visit to the actual 666 Park Ave. located between 67th and 68th St.

My Tribute to Starbucks

Socialites have been known for their devotion to good taste. Like any great devotee, I make it a point to experience the elements of good taste on a daily basis. It is this desire that causes me to frequent Starbucks on a daily basis in search of a Venti unsweetened iced coffee with soy milk. I used to drink the grande, but I later switched to the Venti for the extra energy. I have grown to look forward to my morning and mid-day coffee runs to the point where I can not imagine life with out them. Congratulations on your 40th Anniversary Starbucks! Thank you for always being my shopping companion, morning motivation, and sometimes an unlikely source of comfort. You can find me at Starbucks tomorrow and the day after that as I continue to pay tribute to one of my favorite institutions.

Marie Antoinette: Can Excess Be Too Excessive?

Long before Paris and Nicole lived The Simple Life and Kourtney and Kim Take New York premiered, the lovely Marie Antoinette made her mark on France with her famous proclamation “Let them eat cake.”  Though I am no history buff, I truly believe that royalty were the first ever socialites.  Flowing champagne, over the top parties, and cute little dogs act as parallels between the European royals of yesterday and the NYC socialites of today.  Perhaps, SoHo House is the new Versailles?  It also could be that the high society tradition of vacationing in the South of France may be somewhat inspired by the life and death of Marie Antoinette herself.

If it weren’t for the whole losing her head thing, Marie Antoinette’s story dramatized many times over, my favorite being Kirsten Dunst’s version, would be one to aspire to. Therefore, my advice to Aspiring Socialites everywhere is to shop and party all you want, but when you feel you are losing your head, it is time to take a step back.  If you ignore the philanthropic side of being a socialite, you may be pulling a Marie Antoinette.  To become a socialite you must be able to see yourself the way others see you.  This applies to both your attire and your actions.

Since you should live everyday as if it were your birthday, I encourage everyone to eat cake.  Unless, of course you are on a diet.  This scene from Marie Antoinette (2006) is among one of my favorites.  The outfits are completely ridiculous, but I love the shoes.