Tradition dictates that January 1st marks the beginning of each new year. A new year that brings opportunity for a fresh start.

For me though, the new year and ensuing opportunity for a fresh start occurs about this time every year. I always look forward to the end of August, because that is when the onslaught begins.

That is when super size fashion magazines featuring the latest trends for fall begin to flood my mailbox. I remain giddy for about a week, knowing that at least one brand new, beefy, fall fashion issue will be waiting for me when I get home.

I truly look forward to studying each page (even the ads) for inspiration on ways to update my wardrobe. As I open every cover, I begin to formulate a plan for ways to revamp my current clothing and identify key pieces to purchase- – all in an effort to start fresh.
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A fact about me that isn’t included in my profile is that I am a huge Francophile.

Maybe because my great grandmother was French, maybe because I studied French for seven years, or maybe because of my admiration for French women’s uncanny ability to make any outfit look stylish simply by adding a scarf. Whatever the reason- I’ve been fascinated by all things French for as long as I can remember.

Therefore, it should come as no surprise that one of my favorite designers is Philippe Starck, a Frenchman. To me, he is the master of style, and for certain, the king of cool.

His product designs exude imagination and originality, and his interior designs ooze style & sex appeal.

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For those of you who may not have heard, the IMA is opening a Design Center later this year that will showcase and sell furniture, home accessories, textiles, and gift items. The common denominator among the Center’s offerings is that each item will have a design story associated with its inception.

I couldn’t be happier to be part of the team working on the Design Center, because I have been obsessed with style, fashion, and design for as long as I can remember.

I think it must have started in second grade when I got my white bean bag chair. Some of my friends and family members had them too- – but nobody had one in white. I remember feeling so lucky to have one in what was surely the coolest color for this staple of 70’s interior.

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