For Nicole Eisenberg, art is fashion, and fashion is art. She explains below!
{SS}: How did you get involved with the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA)?
{Nicole}: I got involved with the DIA 15 years ago and started from the ground up. I was accepted to the Board of Founders Junior Council. I met so many cool people and had the time of my life, chairing Fash Bash for the first of two times, inventing new programs and initiatives, and being vice president three years in a row. Then I graduated to the Board of Friends of Modern and Contemporary Art, in which I also served two terms. In the middle of my FMCA board years, I arrived at my current position as a DIA Board of Directors member, Collections Committee member, and Development Committee member and vice chairman.
{SS}: What do you love most about your work?
{Nicole}: I love everything I do at the DIA! It has become my passion in life to work with the incredible team at the museum and help put forth new ideas, network, bring people together and fundraise so that we and future generations can enjoy Detroit's magnificent art collection.
{SS}: Who are some of your favorite artists?
{Nicole}: Some of my favorite artists are Mark Rothko, Alberto Giacometti, Louise Nevelson, Jean Dubuffet, Basquiat and Josef Albers. Art is for EVERYONE! I love contemporary and modern art, photography and sculpture. The artists I love are a smattering of old school and very expensive, of which I can't afford, but just love to study and look at. I try to collect at my own level, mixing pieces I love from fleas markets for $25 with something I saved up for. Art has to move YOU and speak to YOU. The best collections I've seen are in people's homes and not just curated to the expected. When I tour someone's home, I love it when the person has pieces that are unexpected treasures from travels or were picked up on a rainy day from an antique store. It tells a story!
{SS}: In regards to your personal style, do you have a signature look or accessory?
{Nicole}: If you asked anyone what my signature look is, the person would say, "The color black." I also love very large jewels — vintage, costume and new. It sets off the black and my height.
{SS}: How has your style evolved?
{Nicole}: My style has always been the same: what looks good on ME! I will incorporate a trend of the season but not get wrapped up in it. It's a waste of funds and usually is out the door on a good closet clean. I like very streamlined, well-cut designers. I also like a lot of motorcycle jackets and Navajo vintage jewelry.
{SS}: Do you have a few items in your own Styleshack (aka closet) that you can’t live without?
{Nicole}: My closet favorites that I can't live without are: The Row leather leggings; a short, fitted Current/Elliot Jean jacket; Rag & Bone skinny jeans; a leather motorcycle jacket; Wes Gordon boot-leg pants in any material; Manolo Blahnik BB four-inch heels (I have thrown away the rest and only wear these!); vintage leopard coats; Majestic tops; Mossimo tank tops; and my Lulu Lemons (what Michigan girl can live without them?!).
{SS}: Who are your favorite designers?
{SS}: What's your style archetype?
{Nicole}: My style is ladylike with an edge.
{SS}: Who or what inspires your style? Do you have a style icon?
{Nicole}: My style icons are Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, Aerin Lauder and Gwyneth Paltrow.
{SS}: What items do you currently love on Styleshack.com?
{Nicole}: I would say the Veronica Beard hooded blazer from SHE (I have it!). I also love the Melissa Obadash cover-ups and the grey, fringe booties from Tender (so cute with jean cutoffs and a tank). The Andrew Pearce bowls from Zieben Mare would be great to give as gifts. And I love the Enza Costa v-neck cashmere cuff sweater from SHE. I like thumb holes, black, cashmere and long, long sleeves — I'm always cold!
{SS}: Do you have a favorite fashion or lifestyle blog?
{Nicole}: I like to just scroll through Instagram or Twitter and follow random, cool people. And I love Chuck Bennett of The Social D!
{SS}: What are your favorite local boutiques?
{Nicole}: Lori Karbal, SHE, Zieben Mare, Tender, Linda Dresner and B.May.
{SS}: What local restaurants do you love?
{Nicole}: Phoenicia, Bacco, Cameron's, Ronin, Inyo and Selden Standard. I also love The Gallery, Embers and Greek Isles for lunches with friends!
{SS}: Which fashion apps or social media do you use?
{Nicole}: Style.com for all of the shows, Net a Porter, Matches Fashion, Sense, Elyse Walker, Styleshack, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook — but the winner is Pinterest! It's my life-electronic hoarding. It relaxes me and is totally my taste.
{SS}: What are your words to live by?
No matter how educated, talented, rich or cool you believe you are, how you treat people ultimately tells all. Integrity is everything.
Be careful when you blindly follow the masses. Sometimes the "M" is silent.