“Don’t dress to kill; dress to survive.”

- Karl LagerfeldWalking my dog in my long Fendi fur, pajamas, and boots - this can be a cold world even amongst the wealthy. As bright as the lights are, came a commited work ethic to be amongst them. Having anauthentic fur was more than a sign of wealth, it was a measure to society you were a mover and shaker of the world – an acquaintant of business. Most carried themselves with a little more couthe around someone with a fur. The ones wearing one, you best believe, had an extra pep in their step. Business in a capitalistic world, especially for a ‘minority’ in New York City requires you to master the jack of many trades. To keep up with the beat of the city for an entrepreneur required hustle. The dance was a tango

FENDI IN THE CITY As told by: Phyllis Keitlen Written by: Tobias Chappell II

I swayed to on my own rhythms to keep warm on those cold and snowy city nights. For me it wasn’t about the money- although it was around. It was me becoming; liberating; and standing in my complete independence as a woman who knows how to handle her own.

City night life was more than a few Cosmos with the girls. City night life was when the city became alive. I’d throw on my Fendi and start my evening. Of course, there were other furriers, but the Italian style and cut gave me a silhouette that made me feel like a distinguished woman of power and sophistication. Music, clubs, drugs, was all around and to be honest was a part of fashion and entertainment. Studio 54, Xenon, Le Club, and Arthur’s were a few hotspots where the who’s who tangoed with cash. Fashion is a reflection of life - the life we were living and appeasing to to keep afloat in and outside of our personal lives. Work all day and roam the city all night. A woman had to stay on her toes and be able to hang with the best of them in order to survive. All-in-all New York night life was a constant high that lifted me above the clouds, amongst the stars in the universe.

Fashion has always been a cut-throat business that aligns itself with all industries; entertainment, politics, etc. Business is business. Everyone needed their checks to be balanced, cashed, and cleared. The players can get dirty. In my experience; if a woman can survive 7th Ave, she can survive anywhere The power of networking has always been in a place of importance. New York City is a magical oasis where

you can bump into anyone and have your whole life change in a matter of seconds, whether it be good or bad. Technologies of today make connecting a little easier; but it’s always been face-to-face social interation skills, personality, and conversation that made all the difference when politicing and being successful conducting your business. The motions of someone’s charm is to his or her own, but you had to be ‘hip’, beautiful, or have a lot of money in order to make it. Without certain qualities, not many would waste their time on you. You can imagine how challenging it was for anyone to arrange a meeting or get a phone call just to speak to the receptionist of who you were really trying to contact. Business in the world of fashion for a woman, wasn’t an automatic thing when the finances of many companies were provided by men who didn’t necessarily see equality amongst women.

In the concrete jungle, it’s never a taboo for a woman to prepare herself to be able to handle all situations as they are being thrown at her, and I did just that.

“I’M A WORKING-CLASS PERSON, WORKING WITH CLASS.”-KARL LAGERFELD