The Steeple Times asks fashion entrepreneur Noelle Reno: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
The weather… Or Tolstoy.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
Eleanor Roosevelt: “Women are like tea bags. You never know how strong they are until you put them in hot water”.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
One Direction.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
Being below the age of 29 years old. Purely for vanity.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
Peace: total, complete peace.
Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?
I come from a conservative background wherein we never used credit cards. I still don’t ever use a credit card. Buying today, paying tomorrow is a logic that never appealed to me. At some time the bank will collect. To think differently is lunacy.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
I hear a lot of mindless dribble in what I do but in particular: “bespoke”, “premium”, “luxury” and “exclusive”.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
Charity begins at home full stop. I participate in forms of charity every day. Several times a day I do a favour for someone in the way of connecting them with something beneficial for them personally, financially or in another way. It may seem like a little but an hour is a lot of time. I’m also generally quite kind to everyone I come across, be they a waitress, a rubbish collector or a colleague.
The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?
It bothers me that I can’t use my phone in my private members’ club but I understand the logic. Just don’t snap your chewing gum because then I will go mental.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
Chelsea Handler.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
It’s a tough call between Beluga caviar and the vanilla cake at Cipriani. I’d eat it off a male supermodel on a beach in Bali.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
Oh, any time after noon is fine.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
A martini: dirty, straight up, Grey Goose.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
As I type this I’m off to Rihanna’s party but it will be so rammed it’s not fun. Thus, I shall be boring and say a house party or dinner party that gets a bit wild.
Who is the most positive person you know?
My mom… But things still seem to not work out that often for her. Note: I’m the pessimist.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
Nicotine.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
I’ve been meaning to find a symbol that has a meaning which embodies a stringent faith in the strength of one’s own being, a beacon to always remain true to your own truth and an awareness, openness and connection with the Universe. I haven’t found it yet. J
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
I had a Bentley coupé for all of London Fashion Week and I found it hugely enjoyable.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I’m very sporty. I’m a former athlete and still train that way.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
Nothing. I think it is silly when people put cards or old invitations up. Who cares?
Noelle Reno is a graduate of the British American College of London. This fashion entrepreneur founded her first company, Degrees of Freedom, whilst at university and then partnered with Zandra Rhodes on Z by Zandra Rhodes. She writes for a variety of publications and is also a presenter for Fashion TV.
View Noelle Reno’s official website at: http://www.noellereno.org
Read her London Fashion Week diary on 59 Strings at: http://en.59strings.com/blog/cat/noelle_reno_lfw_diary/
Noelle Reno recommends:
– Neville Hair and Beauty: http://www.nevillehairandbeauty.net
– Bentley Motors: http://www.bentleymotors.com
What an inspirational interview. Noelle is a lovely lady and she is handling the terrible situation of her boyfriend, Scott Young, being so wrongly jailed with great dignity. I totally agree with her about the misuse of phrases by the luxury industry. Having been a buyer at Mulberry, I heard far too much of such lingo on a daily basis. It should be banned.
I am totally off the planet these days and had never heard of Noelle Reno. But, hey, not only is she good-looking, she sounds absolutrely delightful; sensible, intelligent and savvy. HER MOTHER MUST BE VERY PROUD!