Emma Dinzebach

Renee DuMarr has “new found energy.” When I spoke with the womenswear designer early Thursday morning, she was at the hair salon dying her dark locks an easy shade of blonde. “You have to change it up,” she said with enthusiasm of a woman whose seven-year-old son now spends his days at school so she can focus on her business. After a twenty year career in fashion (she is the former Vice President of both Perry Ellis and K L Karl Lagerfeld), DuMarr struck out on her own and her namesake label aims to redefine apparel for overcommitted women.

How would you categorize your label’s style? 

Chic, classic, elegant…and a little bit out of the box.

Who is wearing Renee DuMarr now?

30 and up.

What inspired your current line, featured at next week’s sample sale?

My new found energy…and comfort. The line is a product of what I’m feeling. I’m rethinking and redefining all of the aspects of a woman’s life to create something that takes a woman out of her box, which is where I want to be.

In one sentence, what do you do all day?

I multi-task.

If you didn’t design clothing what would you do?

Work on the exchange floor or on a bond desk. I deal with colors, silhouettes, fabrics that are all real…that I can feel. If I didn’t do this, I’d be intellectually creative with numbers: packaging, buying, selling. They’re not really that different – finance and fashion – they just use different mediums.

If you could dress someone famous, who would it be?

Hilary Clinton, although she’s governed by her environment. Demi Moore. Sharon Stone. If Sarah Palin weren’t Sarah Palin, then Sarah Palin. I would love to dress Jackie O, but she’s dead.

After our interview, Renee sent me a text message that read “Thanks Emma! Always enjoy the journey. R” Like Renee, sassy but breezy, her designs reflect her present aim to balance her blessings. Because when you think about it, Lagerfeld or Legos, life yields infinite inspiration when we revel in our journey.

Emma Dinzebach

Friday evening I arrived at my friend’s house and was greeted by the sound of her husband vigorously shaking the martini shaker. Every Friday after work he makes her a cosmopolitan and they sit down for a rituals tic end of week happy hour.
“Honey?” she called out in a sing songy tone reminiscent of a Broadway musical. “Yes baby?” her husband responded sweetly. “He always says that,” she whispered to me. Back and forth they called out together in this fashion several times throughout the night. When I asked what has sustained their twelve year relationship, they both said consistent rituals play a large role. See also: things they can rely on.

From end of week happy hours to Sunday morning runs, different couples have different rituals of choice. We aren’t talking about Thursday night laundry or Sunday lawn mowing. Knowing there is a set time each week to enjoy interests creates a relationship based on commonality, reliability and stability. Likewise, sharing in your partner’s respective interests fosters caring, understanding and

By no means should you run out and buy a new golf outfit to tag along on your husband’s Saturday afternoon 18 holes. Individuality and personal time is still important; but small, consistent and meaningful routines build something good, into something great. When I thought about my own relationships, every Sunday we read the paper at brunch. When we go out to eat during the week, we always eat at the bar. He kindly accompanies me to yoga on Tuesday nights…well, most Tuesday nights. These small rituals might not seem significant in their own right, but they make one another feel special and create unity.

Plus, we never argue that we don’t have time for one another.

Emma Dinzebach

Everyone complained that SHO Shaun Herrgat’s location (the 2nd floor of the Setai Hotel at 40 Broad Street) was difficult to find. Then they complained the walk to your table took too long. I disagreed. I found it, and as a developer’s daughter, was quite enthralled with the design. Interior architects at  Robert D. Henry created an emotional, if slightly expansive, space. Think Dubai meets Plaza Athenee in Bagnkok. Actually, think the world meets Wall Street. I half-expected Chuck Bass to be waiting for me at the bar.

Instead I found business men at business meetings, a few sketchy mistress-esque dates, some plain ‘ol normal folk, and my patient date still in his suit from work. He looked very handsome. Knowing I wanted to write about it, he arranged for special treatment. We had an informative tour of the extensive floor to ceiling vino gallery and the private dining room (pictured). (He offered to let us to sit in there, but I thought that would be awkward.) Instead, were given our choice of a couple select tables.

Mr. Hergatt is a master of texture mixture and each dish is perfectly sculpted and presented to this degree. There are emulsions, froths, stacks and drizzles with exotic ingredients and exciting combinations. SHO Shaun Hergatt’s tasting menu is just $69 – a fine dining bargain in tough  times. We skipped that as our meal was pre-arranged. (He is an exceptional date, right?). We started with the peekytoe crab, foie gras, trout tartare and something else that slips my mind as we also tasted a lot of wine. The three day short rib, cod and veal tenderloin were our favorites. I wasn’t a huge fan of the rabbit loins, but it could have been my overall aversion to the word loins.

And then, because I’m lucky like this, Mr. Hergatt emerged inquiring into our meal. I was completely taken off guard and combined with the wine might have stumbled over my words, but eventually abruptly blurted out a slew of compliments. I looked at my smiling date. Who just said, “Dessert?”

SHO Shaun Hergatt  The Setai Hotel  40 Broad Street  212.809.3993

Emma Dinzebach

I was recently informed that I am mature enough to have a civil conversation with someone I no longer wish to date regardless of whether or not I was exclusively dating them. “The non-boyfriend break-up? The awkward “we were never really together, so why are we having this talk” talk? Oh I totally disagree,” I responded adamantly.

I went on to say that break-up talks are not necessary unless exclusively dating. See also: Boyfriend and Girlfriend. That means I have directly expressed interest in either 1) Sex with you and no one else but you, which means neither of us can sleep with someone else but are allowed to go on dates, or 2) Number one plus exclusively dating you and no one else but you.

If none of these words have not emerged from my full, pretty lips, or I have not agreed to them, then I will see other people as the opportunities present.  Sidenote: Personally, I like men who bring this up first. Not the second date because that equals crazy, but I like a man with relationship conviction. Regardless of my stance, I am flattered to be the object of said desire and think highly of your self-awareness and courage. If no talk has ensued, then you are not my boyfriend, and I am not your girlfriend. I don’t need a non-boyfriend break-up talk. I am fine with the diss and dismiss.

But my friends rejected, spat on and kicked this standpoint. So I’m thinking, Haven’t these people ever seen He’s Just Not That Into You? If a guy likes you, he will call/text/email you. In most cases, he will do all of the above. He will schedule time to see you and ask about your week. He will measure what you like and don’t like. He will remember at least something you said. He will respond to your inquiries in a timely fashion. If he doesn’t email you back about your friend’s broken finger, he is probably busy at work. If he doesn’t email you back about your date on Saturday night, he probably doesn’t like you.

The same goes for you. When you like a guy, let him know. If you honestly forget to text him back after he asks you to dinner on Thursday night… You get it. You would never forget if you liked the guy. If either party made a mistake by failing to provide the proper amount of attention or clear communication, and this can happen at first with the varying personalities and the male species insane ability to compartmentalize, then give it another try.

And most importantly, hold yourself in high regard. When it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. No one is too busy. No one is too dense. No one “has a lot on his mind” all the time. (Because srsly, the President has a lot more on his mind than your paper-pushing date and he still goes on dates.) If you are ruminating excessively over a near stranger, then let it go. In my opinion, you don’t even have to tell him. If he’s sees the error of his way, he will come back. If he doesn’t, then he isn’t smart enough for you anyway. There are a billion men in this world. Actually, there are more.

Emma Dinzebach