Fashion Offices With WhoWhatWear: Tara McCollum (Kunst)

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Public Relations Director, Banana Republic. New York
“Friday…Friday…Gettin’ Coveteur’d on Friday.” And that is exactly what we’re doing. By now, you know our collaboration with Who What Wear, where we rummage through the offices of some of our favorite hard-working females. It’s our voyeuristic excuse to kick back where some of the glammest of the glam fashion women spend their days….and some nights (work never sleeps). Today, we got to play with Tara McCollum, PR Director for Banana Republic, a company she’s been at for over a decade. 11 years and counting! Originally from Hawaii, TM grew up loving fashion and dreamed of a job where she could work with clothes all day. While this dream may sound very familiar (ahem!), it takes a smart cookie to kick her goals and ambitions into high gear. And that she did. She began interning at Self Magazine (back in the day when Stefano Tonchi was the Creative Director) and made the leap to PR after college. She began wrangling press and exposure for a high-end accessories showroom, jumped over to BCBG Max Azria, then moved to Vivenne Tam before landing at Banana Republic. Throughout her tenure with the brand, she’s made a label associated with both mega and strip malls a brand correlated with high style, tons of edit credits (what she calls their blood, sweat, and tears) and maximum chicness. After all, she did put together the Mad Men capsule collection in stores a few months ago where they collaborated with Janie Bryant, the show’s costume designer extraordinaire. And, did you see the one and only Karen Elson in their latest campaign? Not too shabby. She’s a sucker for Marni, Anh Duong, vintage elephants, and a purse that’s justttt right. “I'm a sucker for a great clutch”, she says. “As long as it fits my phone, wallet, and lipstick, I'm good to go.” From their days as a safari-inspired retailer to their current high-style aesthetic, come on take a walk through Banana Republic’s NYC HQ.

Digital Inspiration
•The Coveteur •WhoWhatWear•You are the River •Smaller•Hungry Ghost •The Republic

Tara McCollum is Director of Public Relations for one of our favorite brands: Banana Republic. As you'd expect with such a noteworthy job, McCollum's days are never the same, and range from working on amazing projects—like the BR and Mad Men collaboration, which is such a brilliant idea—to overseeing the press for the company's fashion shows and working with non-profits. While McCollum's calendar is always packed, she graciously made some time for us to come to her office and talk shop, so be sure to check out her office in today's slideshow and visit our blog for an in-depth interview about her career!
Explain your job in one sentence please:
Drive publicity for Banana Republic.

What is a typical workday like for you?
No day is the same, which I love! We have an incredibly modern work environment that empowers us to get our work done where we’re most inspired to achieve the best results—could be at the office, at a museum, at home, or at my local coffee spot—wherever I’m most productive that day.

What is your go-to work outfit?
I’m more of a minimalist, so I tend to keep it simple. If I can throw on a chic dress and punctuate with a great shoe, coat or accessory, I’m good to go.

How did you get this job? Did you always know you wanted it?
I’ve been lucky to have had editor friends recommend me for every job throughout my career. Relationships are everything and I value my friends and colleagues immensely. Good things result from hard work.

What did you do before you started your company/freelance career?
I grew up loving fashion and knew my dream job would be one where I could work with clothes all day. I interned at Conde Nast and made the leap to PR after college. I did press for a high-end accessories showroom to start, and then I focused on PR in-house at BCBG Max Azria and Vivienne Tam before heading to Banana Republic.

What’s the best part of your job? The worst?
Best: The people. From editors to the team at Banana Republic – I’m surrounded by stylishly smart, talented and creative individuals.
Worse: Having to say no. Wish we had unlimited resources to say yes to every deserving non-profit out there.

How important is having a fashionable/chic work area?
It’s critical! I’m Hawaiian, so I crave lots of natural light. I’m lucky my office gets flooded with light that bounces off the white walls and creates a bright space full of opportunity. I’m a neat freak, so a clean space = a clear head. Art books and personal artifacts, like family pictures and my kids’ artwork, help inspire….as does a designer bag and shoe or two or three or four

Do you email or use the phone more?
Email

What surprises you the most about your career?
At times, the drama—it’s just fashion people!

What changes do you make to your look if you have to go to dinner or drinks immediately after work?
Accessories! My whole look can change with a stronger red lip and an amped up jewelry + shoe swap.

What items do you think every working girl should own (clothing and accessories)?
Iconic bag + killer shoes: makes everything basic exciting
Mix of personal jewelry + statement pieces
Chic blazer to throw on for quick polish

Do you use a Mac or a PC? (or Blackberry or iPhone?)
Mac at home. PC and Blackberry for work….for now. I’m coveting the new iPhone when my contract’s up!

What do you listen to when you’re working?
Pandora. I’m hooked on the Oh Land station – love her!

What are you wearing today?
Marni dress
Chloe platforms
Banana Republic jewelry

What do you try to teach your interns/assistants?
Find your passion – it fuels your soul.

Have you fulfilled your career goal or do you still have more to achieve?
There’s always more to strive for, which keeps things exciting.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to emulate your career path?
Don’t follow. Forge your own path and be true to you.


http://thecoveteur.com/Tara_McCollum