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Name:
Dorie Golkin Smith
Emelyn Northway
Title/Company:
Co-Founders, Of Mercer
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What are you wearing?
Dorie: I’m wearing Of Mercer’s Ludlow Dress in Bordeaux–a new color for fall–a Zara knitted poncho, Pour La Victoire booties, and a black Bottega Venetta hobo.
Emelyn: I’m wearing Of Mercer’s Bryant Dress, Stuart Weitzman pumps, and an Alexander McQueen tote.
Why does it make you feel powerful?
Dorie: I love that the Ludlow Dress has a feminine A-line pleated silhouette, but incorporates the more masculine and edgy leather details. I’m all about color, so I love pairing our fall season’s Bordeaux with other pops of color and patterns. I feel powerful knowing I can tackle anything the day throws at me in this dress–from meetings to interviews to social activities!
Emelyn: The Bryant Dress stands on its own, so I can throw it on and feel completely pulled together in no time. I love that the pattern is bold and different, but the silhouette is classic and office-appropriate, so it makes a statement in just the right way. There’s something very confidence-inducing and powerful about wearing a dress you love that’s designed to stand out, not blend in.
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How can fashion boost your confidence?
Emelyn: Fashion is the visual way we express ourselves every day. It’s the first thing people notice when they see you, so it’s important that it’s authentic to who you are and how you operate. If there’s a disconnect between what you’re wearing and your personal style, you’ll appear uncomfortable (point in case: me wearing an oversized, menswear-style black pantsuit my first year of investment banking).
Any advice for starting a company with a friend?
Dorie: Any entrepreneur will tell you it’s nearly impossible to “turn it off” when it comes to work. It’s especially difficult when your best friend is your co-founder, so rather than separating work and life, we embrace that in our case they’re completely intertwined. If in the middle of the day we need to look at apartment listing for Emelyn, that’s okay. And if we need to leave our friends at 11 p.m. to have a call with our mill in Italy, that’s okay, too. It’s important to embrace both the personal and professional side of your relationship–do what needs to get done, which sometimes involves a bottle of wine.
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