Donna Kalajian Lagani

Donna Kalajian Lagani

Q: Who is your style icon?

A: Oh, my mom was always my style icon. She used to make her own clothes when she was young, and I wish I had them because when I look back at photos of her, she had a great figure and wore clothes beautifully.

Q: What is your best style advice?

A: I guess my best style advice is to do what makes you really feel comfortable because I think clothes should make you feel empowered and strong. And the way you do that the best is when you feel really comfortable and confident in what you're wearing.

Q: Is there something that you wear that you just automatically feel super comfortable and competent in?

A: I love accessories. I love scarves, I love jewelry and I love high heels and purses. And one day I remember going to work and having a really killer meeting that day and having forgotten my rings at home, which I never do. And I asked our fabulous fashion director to get me some rings, and it made me feel stronger. It made me feel more powerful.

Q: What is the most unusual way that you've worn a scarf?

A: The most unusual way I've worn a scarf is when we were on our honeymoon in Thailand. I bought a beautiful silk scarf and I wrapped it around me as a bandeau, and wrapped another scarf around as a skirt and hung out at the beach.

Q: What is the best part of your job?

A: The best part of my job is being with people that inspire me every day from whom I can learn and I can teach… And really having a team that's kind of in sync, moving towards the same goal and the same mission and having the attitude that we can get there, we can absolutely get there. There should be no obstacles in our way to achieve what we want to achieve.

Q: Do you think that you've made it and if so, how did you know that?

A: I never just think of myself that way, to be honest with you. But, I guess, you know, if I have to say I made it, I'm really happy. I have a great life, a great husband, a great kid and a great job. So maybe that's what I would define as saying I made it. You know, the success isn't about a monetary success to me, although that's awfully nice, and I've enjoyed that as well, but to make it to me is to be kind of a whole human being where you're surrounded with people you love, family you love, friends you love, and you can give back to them.

Q: What is your life motto? Do you have one?

A: Well, my life motto, which I lived with for 24 years at Cosmo, was to be fun and fearless, and I am female. So… Fun, fearless, female.

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