My story
Raised in a family with a military father and an artistic mother, I've always been comfortable with the tension between discipline and creativity. I've lived in Europe, South America and all across the United States, moving 12 times before I went to university. This exposure to multiple cultures and lifestyles established a theme that would characterize my life: adventure, experimentation, and assimilation.
I moved to New York in 1989. I first worked in package goods, where I developed a strong strategic sense. But longing for the beauty world encouraged a move to Revlon in 1990 where I launched “The Most Unforgettable Women in the World Wear Revlon” campaign that ultimately ran for 8 years globally. That was hot! Over the next seven years, I worked at various large agencies and small design boutiques, creating campaigns for La Prairie, Blackglama, Christofle, and Vidal Sassoon.
Ready for new adventure, I moved to Paris in 1998. After a bumpy initial six months, I landed consultation work for L’Oréal on fragrances and skin care lines. Later described as “an illegal immigrant worker,” they invited me to work for any one of their three Paris based agencies. Ultimately accepting a position at Publicis-Conseil, I developed campaigns for the European markets on the Kérastase, L’Oréal Professionelle, Laboratoires Garnier, Plénitude, and Lancome brands across hair care hair color, skin, sun, and fragrance categories.
Returning to New York in 1994, I worked first at a small design boutique on Baccarat, Larson-Juhl and other high-end brands. But the siren call of beauty once again reached me and I accepted a position at Estée Lauder in 1995. I became the Executive Director of Advertising for Aramis/Designer Fragrances. This experience included skin and fragrance launches for both men and women on the Aramis, Tommy Hilfiger, and La Mer brands, among others.
In 1999, I returned to the agency side once again to work on Pantene Pro-V at Grey Advertising, becoming Global Creative Director 2 years later. My latest breakthrough has been the first-ever creation of global campaigns expressed in a holistic and sustained manner on this $3 billion dollar global beauty brand. DDF Doctors Dermatological Formula, a growing premium skin care brand, was added into my to do list. Most recently, clients gave me a fabulous challenge to help revive the once iconic Rochas fragrance house. This has been truly exciting.
Future professional goals include working in other countries for international beauty brands. My dream is to create for Chanel, Shisiedo…and then, perhaps, not to work at all. I enjoy skiing, traveling, SCUBA, food and wine. Fluent in French, but working on Italian. Any assistance is welcome!
