Earlier this September I was invited by U by Kotex  to the L.I.M. Fashionopolis Townhouse in New York City. The occasion was to meet the esteemed Patricia Field, Emmy winning and Oscar-nominated stylist, boutique owner, and designer extraordinaire—how lucky am I! Patricia is known in the fashion world for her work as stylist of Sex and the City, Ugly Betty, and The Devil Wears Prada. She partnered with U by Kotex for the “Ban the Bland” campaign to help bring some unexpected high-fashion design to their products, and to encourage submissions for their contest to design Kotex products that will be produced and distributed. I asked Patricia a few questions about her work in fashion and her relationship with Kotex.
 What about U by Kotex attracted you to a partnership with them?
Well, I believe in the campaign and what it stands for. You have to believe in what you’re doing, where the message is going. The whole idea of designing such a product really appealed to me, fashion shouldn’t be contained to runways or even clothing. And since I believe in it, I am happy to work with them and develop these new products.
In your video on ubykotex.com, you discuss color and how it makes people happy. Can you talk about the role that color plays in your work?
I don’t think people equate color as nature. It has to be part of the story. Color makes people happy but then there’s a disconnect when they want to put it on their bodies or they want to decorate their homes, and then everything goes grey. It needs to be thought about and selected with meaning in the environment.
“Ban the Bland” is all about breaking barriers and defying convention. Which barriers have you broken in your career?
It’s funny, but I don’t think too often in terms of barriers because if I were conscious of barriers I think it would have held me back in my career. I don’t have a barrier-conscious mind, and the barriers might be out there but chances are I’m not even going to recognize them and see them. If you pay attention to things that are negative that’s where you’re going to end up.
What is it about these girls and their winning designs that excite you about working with them?
I think the winners won for several different reasons. Their designs are at the same time the most universally applicable or acceptable but also original. Their designs had those two important qualities. I think that’s the main reason they won because it’s not “design in a bubble”, it’s “design a product”. That experience is a really learning experience of design because it has to have an application. Without an application it’s not going anywhere.
What will the partnership between you and the finalists entail?
The winners were asked to design a tin (which is what I designed for Kotex), the product itself and a little bag as well, right here on the spot. I helped choose the pool of semi-finalists and have critiqued what the winners have come up with today.
What words of wisdom would you give to young people interested in a career in design or fashion, such as these finalists?
Enjoy what you do, do it from your heart, and you will definitely be guaranteed a success. If you don’t do it from your core, it’s not going to be original. Everyone is original, everyone is an individual, and it’s about learning to express and understand that.
You’re clearly a successful businesswoman, yours is a household name. What would you advise from the business end of things?
I give the same advice. Enjoy what you do, enjoy it as a game. The achieving and the winning, the acknowledgement is the prize (of course the profit could be the prize), but mostly the fun of the doing while you’re doing it. It’s the most fun for me when I have an idea and that’s when I get the most happy and inspired. Without enjoying the process you’re never going to get there.
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I also had the chance to interview one of the three “Ban the Bland” competition winners. Hayley, 22, is a student from Springfield, MO. Below are some questions I asked her about her inspirations, experiences, and for any words of wisdom to share with other collegiettes™!
How did you hear about the “Ban the Bland” contest?
I found out about the contest from Seventeen Magazine and after seeing the grand prizes I knew I had to enter!
What was your inspiration for the winning design?
My design came from my inspiration folder I have saved on my computer. I looked through my photos and wanted to create something that was light and airy with vintage touches. I used the phrase “joie de vivre” because it describes how I feel life should be lived. We should take the time to enjoy life and not get caught up in all the small details.
What are you studying and how has it influenced you?
I’m studying Fashion Merchandising with a minor in Marketing. Being able to study what I love more in depth has helped me gain a better sense of my strengths and weaknesses and what kinds of careers are going to bring me self-fulfillment.Â
Who are your role models?
My Mimi is one of my role models because she’s an amazing woman. She’s traveled practically everywhere, worked hard in life to get where she is now, is one of my biggest supporters, and has a big heart for others. I hope to be like her one day.
What do you see yourself doing in ten years?
In 10 years I see myself settled down and working for my own company. I want to have a business that relates to fashion but also gives back to those in need. There’s too much suffering going on in this world not to try and do my part to help reduce that.Â
What advice do you have for aspiring designers or people hoping to make it in competitive environments such as fashion and design?
My advice is to look for as much job experience as possible through internships and job shadowing to gain a better sense of what you enjoy and don’t enjoy. You should always put 110% into every project you do and network, network, network!
Thanks, Kotex for the opportunity to interview such inspiring people as Patricia Field and Hayley. Keep an eye out for Hayley’s winning design and Patricia’s take on Kotex’s products as well, coming out in the next few months!