cult of personality

Nina Garcia Has Never Seen ‘Stylista’

Stylista? What’s that?Photo: Getty

Admittedly, last night’s Barnes & Noble book signing starring Project Runway judge, best-selling author, and soon-to-be Marie Claire fashion director Nina Garcia was not the best celebrity Q&A we’ve ever attended — that honor goes to Golden Girl Rue McClanahan, hands down. Still, the venerable Ms. Garcia put on a good show. There to sell copies of her new book, The One Hundred: A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own, Garcia, after briefly describing the book’s premise, gamely answered various audience questions, including her opinion of “commuter shoes” — “Huh? What are those? Can’t they wear ballet flats?” — to the trends that need to go NOW. That would be you, Crocs! Though many queries revolved around sartorial dilemmas, a few people in attendance sought career advice and, uh, clarification. “What is an ‘editor-at-large’?” asked one woman. Garcia’s calm, textbook reply? “Someone who contributes to the magazine but is not in the office every day.” Aha! When asked her opinion of Elle rival Anne Slowey’s new reality show, Stylista, Garcia said that she hadn’t seen it, and in all fairness, it also hasn’t premiered yet. Still … had she ever “discussed” the project with her? “Nope.” Silence. Next question!

Related: America’s Next Top Fashion Editor [NYM]

Nina Garcia Has Never Seen ‘Stylista’