Nina Garcia answers some questions

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Your It List has had the honor of hosting Nina Garcia as she guest blogged about her new book The Style Strategy. If you can’t catch the final episodes of the latest Project Runway season, Nina’s collection of style guides are without a doubt the next best thing. Below, Nina took the time to  answer some of our questions about her style, her books and how to look your best and paying less!

Your new book, The Style Strategy, is about shopping while saving money. Is that even possible?

Of course it is! You don’t have to spend a fortune to look fabulous, or sacrifice style when you’re on a budget. The Style Strategy is not about doing without; let’s be clear on that. It’s not about feeling deprived. It’s about realizing that you can get the same euphoria that buying high-end brands may give you by simply reworking the clothes you already have, or finding great bargains and turning these items into the perfect expression of your personal style. This past year has reminded us all that we MUST be conscious of the money we spend. And being practical while remaining stylish is the ultimate chic.

What was the inspiration for this book?

My absolute favorite new mantra is: Shop Smart, Stay Chic, and Make it Last! This mantra has fueled every single page of this book. The sense of accomplishment you get from knowing you’ve truly lived by this mantra, and look great while doing so, is the best feeling in he world. Every shopper should be armed with a strategy. This book guides shoppers through a strategy that works.

Why do you think women will respond to the advice in this book?

If we ladies are anything, we’re resourceful.  Long before we earned our own paychecks, we were in charge of stretching pennies for the entire family in order to create and maintain a warm, comfortable home. Through the ages, we’ve seen it all.  No era has been without its crisis.  And women have always been a tremendous part of the glue that holds everything together while working through such a crisis.  Our ingenuity and flair for survival has saved the world many times over.  But our ability to beautify the world as we save it is what really makes it all worthwhile. I think women innately know solid advice when they read it, and they will appreciate the fun spirit frugal fun and pampering that line this book.

There are a lot of interesting facts and history in The Style Strategy. What made you decide to include such information?

I want people to know some of the specific moments and ideas throughout history that women have exhibited incredible ingenuity and flair in the name of looking great. When going through a rough economic downturn, sometimes it’s easy to forget how good we have it in comparison to other periods throughout history. I truly admire the women who lived through the American Civil War, the Great Depression, and World Ward II. They were really tough, and so creative. I want to honor them by writing about the great strategies they came up with, and all without the help of huge discount stores and sample sales that we’re so used to.

What is one piece of advice you would impart from the book?

There is so much wonderful information to choose from! But if I had to pick just one, I would say that a good rule to follow when out shopping is to never buy anything unless you have at least three items in your closet that it will go with. A smart shopper always creates options for herself.

You include great quotes from celebrities in this book. Do you have a favorite?

I have the hardest time narrowing down the many quotes I find through my reading. There are so many brilliant people in the world, saying such thought provoking, inspirational things. But if I had to choose one quote that specifically applies to the message I convey in The Style Strategy, I would have to choose one by the legendary designer, Vivienne Westwood, who said “Buy less, choose well, and mix it all”. That pretty much nails it. I simply elaborate on how to do just that.

There’s a real social component in The Style Strategy. On more than one occasion, you encourage readers to gather as often as time allows, share saving tips, clothes, advice on what looks good, and even go so far as to show how to throw a good “swap party”. What’s your aim in including this in the book?

It’s so easy to feel deprived, and even a bit isolated, when you are forced to financially tighten your belt.  I want to remind women that community, friends, and family are important, and such a vital part of getting through difficult economic times.  And of course I love any excuse to have a party.  We’re all in this together, and there are few things more uplifting in life than playing dress up with the girls.

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With her signature eye for style, Nina Garcia is best known for her appearance as the unerring, formidable fashion judge on the hit show Project Runway. An elite authority in the industry, she has worked in fashion houses and in fashion media, with everyone from Marc Jacobs to Elle magazine and Marie Claire. She is also the New York Times bestselling author of The Little Black Book of Style and The One Hundred. Originally from Colombia, she now makes her home in New York City.