This week’s style diary guest is the current holder of the title Ms. New York United States, Nicole Kulovany. The model and TV host is Ms. New York until the end of May, and very much interested in keeping her fashion life alive. She is currently trying to use her image to help homeless shelters in New York, and improve the homelessness issue in the city. For Nicole, it’s not the title that makes the difference, it’s about the work that can make the world a better place. This week, she is sharing with us her perspective on style.
Sibylle Eschapasse: Describe your style?
Nicole Kulovany: I like to dress how I want, whatever fits my mood. It might be a sexy, short sweater dress, it might be bright colors, it might be black. I remember showing up to Jenny McCarthy’s event and red carpet with gladiators because, well, I do what I want.
Ms. Eschapasse: If a close friend were to describe your personality in three words, what would they be?
Ms. Kulovany: Fun, silly, inspiring.
Ms. Eschapasse: How did your style evolve since you were a teenager?
Ms. Kulovany: Sometimes now I'll rock a suit jacket and extremely high stilettos, as opposed to really low cut V tops and jeans with boots.
Ms. Eschapasse: What is the wildest thing you ever wore?
Ms. Kulovany: Some shirt dress that I found walking in La Rambla, a really hip area in Barcelona. It looked a “hot mess” but I thought it was cool, and rocked it!
Ms. Eschapasse: How do you dress on workdays versus weekends?
Ms. Kulovany: Workday is a suit dress; weekends is a sexy one, or bohemian if I’m running errands. As Ms. New York, I attend a lot of events, for which I wear new up-and-coming designers, but my go to is Marciano or Michael Kors.
Ms. Eschapasse: What are three accessories you can’t live without, and what’s one item that makes you instantly more confident?
Ms. Kulovany: Ring, purse, and high heels. A pair of high heels is an instant confidence booster for me! High heels = more confidence.
Ms. Eschapasse: Who have been your greatest fashion influences?
Ms. Kulovany: J. Lo and Paris Hilton, they take risks and are glam. They wear what fits their body type and they wear it well.
Ms. Eschapasse: Who is your style icon?
Ms. Kulovany: Kendall Jenner---she’s so Scorpio and hot and sexy mysterious with her style. Truly an icon.
Ms. Eschapasse: What does having style mean to you? In other words, please define style.
Ms. Kulovany: It’s your mood mixed with your clothes. Living out your personality and how you feel in how you adorn yourself. For example, when I want to feel sexy and sophisticated, I do a short dress with a suit coat and sexy heels.
Ms. Eschapasse: What is one purchase you’re most proud of? What would you pay a lot of money for, and what would you never pay much money for?
Ms. Kulovany: My ring, it’s a real sapphire set in diamonds, so gorgeous. I would pay a lot of money for shoes, historically, or sunglasses. I never put a lot of money into jewelry because I lose things.
Ms. Eschapasse: When you go on the red carpet, how do you want your outfit to make you feel? Which designers can achieve that?
Ms. Kulovany: Elegant, regal, sophisticated, and sexy. Ferrett Campos achieves this. Also, Mimi Tran.
Ms. Eschapasse: What do you think of how others dress and what’s your advice to people who would like to develop their personal style?
Ms. Kulovany: I hate seeing people having wrinkly outfits, with no effort or input. I’ve had those days too; we all need to put in effort.
Nicole’s Favorites
Favorite color: Purple
Favorite perfume: Dior’s Poison
Favorite restaurant in New York: Subway, ha! Super-fast and cheap when I’m in a hurry. And on a high end, Tao---fun, I like to dance in the middle of tables
Favorite drink: Green juice, nice and healthy
Favorite movie: “The Sandlot”
Favorite book: Anything self-help, Eckhart Tolle’s “A New Earth”
Favorite quote: “If you’re going to do it, might as well do it big.”
Sibylle’s “Style Diary” is a column that explores style from the perspective of choices, and what that means for different people, with personal advice from some of the most stylish people in New York.
Sibylle Eschapasse is from Paris and now lives in Manhattan. She is a journalist and a contributing writer to various publications. Sibylle is also the author of a children’s book, “Argy Boy a New York Dog Tale.” She may be reached at [email protected]
