WOMEN OF WISDOM IN DECEMBER

Diane Keaton

There's something so inspiring about watching a woman age with that kind of confidence, humor, and originality-and no one did it quite like Diane Keaton. She passed away on Friday at 79, and I haven't stopped thinking about her since. The wit, the warmth, the offbeat charm, and the way she made even the simplest outfit feel like art. She never seemed one step ahead so much as happily walking her own street-and somehow, we all wanted to follow her down it.

She grew up in Los Angeles, the daughter of Dorothy Hall, a creative homemaker and photographer who sewed many of Diane's clothes. That always makes me smile.

My mother sewed a lot of mine too, and I think that early connection to fabric and individuality leaves a mark. You learn that clothes can express who you are, not just what size you wear.

Diane never dressed to fit in-she dressed to play. She made menswear look feminine, modesty look magnetic, and eccentricity look refined. Her love of hats was legendary, but she also had a thing for gloves and ties-two details that gave her looks polish and personality. Did I mention she never used a stylist?

She wore ties the way other women wear necklaces. They added structure, humor, and just enough rebellion. And the gloves-often black leather or soft suede were the finishing touch, that wink at old Hollywood glamour she never lost.

Chris Gennings

Dr. Chris Gennings is Director of the Division of Biostatistics and Research Professor in the Department of Environmental Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and holds a secondary appointment as Research Professor in the Department of Population Health Science and Policy.

An expert in mixtures statistics, Dr. Gennings has been actively engaged in the field for more than 35 years. Her research interests have focused on design and analysis methodologies for studies of chemical mixtures.

Prior to joining Mount Sinai in 2014, Dr. Gennings held positions at the Virginia Commonwealth University, including as Professor in the Department of Biostatistics and Director for the Research Incubator for the Center for Clinical and Translational Research. She has recently relocated back to Richmond, VA. from NYC. Welcome back!

Indu Gowda

Background & Life

I am Indu Gowda, born in Bangalore, India. I moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana 33 years ago after an arranged marriage, which was very common in India at the time. Ten years into my marriage in my early 30’s I became a single mom to my 2 girls, until I met

and married my best friend Dale who has been a part of our family for 17 years now. I am in love with my darling cat, Calvin. He has helped me get rid of my fear of animals and to love them wholeheartedly.

Passions & Interests

Health and fitness:

I am a health enthusiast, I have practiced Yoga for 20 years and most recently in the past five years I have incorporated more strength training and a low impact high intensity workout regimen. I eat healthily most of the time, it makes me feel good.

Fashion Note:

I have always had a keen eye for good quality clothes, mostly inspired by European style. Phoenix fits perfectly into my style. I am drawn to their unique, non-mainstream fashion selections. I have collected so many clothes from this Beautiful Boutique over

the years. Some of the compliments I have received through the years of wearing the style from Phoenix are – “I love your fashion sense”, “You have the most amazing wardrobe” “Your style is different” “Where did you get your outfit from?”.

Creating Interior spaces:

I think a home is the most sacred space to be in. It is important to make it comfortable, homey and it should tell a story as you walk through it. I have evolved through the years as to what my style truly is. And I have loved the creative growth process.

Personality:

My general disposition is optimistic and joyful.

Reading Interests:

Other than fashion magazines and interior design books, I love books and discourses on spirituality.

Personal Philosophy:

I believe we are all spiritual beings having a human experience and should make the best use of our years to live life to the fullest potential.

Travel:

Travel has become a priority as I have grown older. The most beautiful places I have been to are – Italy, France, Indonesia, Costa Rica and Mexico.

Wisdom, I Have Gained Through My Years

Here are key principles I have learned and live by:

Make Yourself a Priority: If you take care of yourself physically and mentally,

you will be able to productively take care of others. It is not being selfish, it is putting yourself in the healthiest place first before you give to others.

Be Courageous to Stand Up for Your Values: As a kid, I was bullied and didn’t know how to stand up for myself. I have learned as I’ve grown to stand up for myself and to the truth with courage, and to stand up for those who are bullied.

Be Kind and Compassionate: As Maya Angelou says, “people will never forget how you made them feel”. My biggest satisfaction is when I have helped people and made them feel valued.

No Comparison: There is only 1 of you. Be completely you!

Don’t Try to Fit In: You are not born to fit in, you are born to be you—even if you think you are weird and can’t relate, completely BE YOU!

On Being a Parent: I truly think this is the toughest job. It is a learning and growing experience even when the children are older. Be kind toward yourself knowing that you did your best.

Face Your Fears: The only way to truly learn and grow is to go through what makes you uncomfortable.

Perspective: The view from up here looks better as I have grown older: a better perspective on life, on people, on experiences, and above all, being comfortable with who I am.

Anne Dorte Thøger

Head of Design & Product Management at By Basics

“We make clothes you become addicted to”

By Basics has built a permanent slow-fashion collection in a few basic qualities, offering each style in a wide range of colours. Each season, a limited number of new styles and colours are added, and the least selling ones are removed. The materials used in the sewing house in Poland include washed mulesing-free merino wool, organic cotton and bamboo that is knitted in Ikast in Denmark.

“In our sewing house, each merino wool style is hand-cut from sturdy paper patterns, which are reused repeatedly, significantly reducing paper consumption. Leftovers and offcuts from merino wool and cotton are used for accessories or our Petit by Basics children’s styles. The pieces that are too small are recycled into new yarns,” Gitte Borup explains.

As a new initiative, the brand also offers customers raw offcuts from merino wool in the shape of an ‘arty mending repair kit.’ Customers can choose the exact colour they want from around 70 colours – just as they choose the colour for all the styles offered in merino wool:

“With the repair kit comes an embroidery needle and yarn, which can be used for repair or decoration of the clothing, thereby personalising it and extending its durability and use,” says Anne Dorte Thøger.

In 2019, By Basics bought their own factory in Poland, and since then, they have grown from 17 to 54 employees, with the former factory owner as a co-owner. Together, they have created a sewing house with high standards for quality and delivery reliability. Purchasing the factory was another decision made by the owners, driven by the ambition to continuously improve. Specifically, they have achieved a very low second-sorting percentage and have refined their product:

“We develop and work with a few raw materials that fit into our mindset. We design and produce with a focus on comfort and quality, constantly exploring new possibilities within our field. And we make clothes you become addicted to,” says Anne Dorte Thøger with a smile.