Wilmington marketer likes comfy striking clothes, from jeans to gala
WHO: Kate Bohner, 51, of Wilmington, former CNBC correspondent, author and founder of Bohner Bespoke, a high-end, high-touch branding, communications and crisis management firm.
WHY: She was nominated by News Journal Community Content Editor Betsy Price, who says, “Kate Bohner dresses spectacularly,” and quotes stylist Vinnie Garibaldi as saying, "She has a Grace Kelly classic look with a New York edge. Her attention to detail is impeccable. She knows the classics, but is not afraid to take risks to make it her own."
HER STYLE: Eclectic. “My brother describes me as high-low, gala to jeans in two hours. Also practical. I don’t like being uncomfortable.”
WEARING, at her home in Wilmington:
FIRST OUTFIT — Red Valentino sleeveless floor-length gown; Stuart Weitzman silver sparkly high-heel sandals with matching bag; white mink bolero-style jacket; vintage Chanel pearl drop earrings with gold and diamonds (“My fave”).
SECOND OUTFIT — Missoni one-of-a-kind multi-colored long-sleeve dress; Jerome C Rousseau beige patent leather pumps with curvy heel and steel toe tips in silver and pewter; copper hoop earrings, a gift bought at auction by her friend Stein Berre; vintage Louis Vuitton briefcase.
THIRD OUTFIT — Lemon yellow sleeveless frock by Grey by Jason Wu; Vince cashmere pashmina-style scarf; taupe patent peep-toe platform pumps by Brian Atwood; Bulgari pearls, “a gift from an X;” French bulldog earrings, gold with diamond eyes, “a 50th birthday present from my sis.”
WHERE SHE SHOPS — Her primary resource is Liana, a boutique at Columbus and 76th Street in New York. “I’ve known them forever. They have been dressing me since I was 25 years old and on television.” She also is onsite once a month at Nordstrom. “My personal shopper is Vinnie Garabaldi, who has great taste. He recently put me in a yellow dress with a big bow on the side, something I never would have picked but was great.”
HOW SHE SHOPS: “Not often. I loathe shopping. I usually make a big shop twice a year.”
FASHION ICON: Nicole Kidman, “especially in 'Pretty Little Liars' because her monochromatic palette of mauve is perfect for her.”
FAVORITE DESIGNER: “Veronica Beard is my new fave.”
MOST RECENT PURCHASE: A burnt orange Veronica Beard dress with a denim jacket that she wore for the Delaware Center for Justice awards.
OLDEST ITEM IN HER CLOSET: “My father’s Louis Vuitton briefcase. He died 25 years ago and I carry it all the time.”
MANE, MANICURE AND MAKEUP: She relies on Michelle Biordi at Pagave in North Wilmington. “She’s my best friend.” For her manicure, she goes to Polished in Trolley Square. “I have a standing appointment with Thary.” Her current manicure: Champagne pink with a Chanel silver base with sparkles as a highlight on her ring fingers. Makeup is essential, but not fussy. “When I did TV, makeup took two hours. Now, I come out of the shower, spray with toner, let it dry, then Shiseido serum, all over my face. I take Shiseido moisturizer and mix it with Armani foundation and paint my face and finish with Kevyn Aucoin mascara. I also love Jan Marini tinted moisturizer.”
BEST FOOT FORWARD: “I do love shoes.
FAVORITE COLOR: “If I had to go on a dessert island with one color, it would be nude, with a drizzle of taupe and pink.”
FAVORITE FRAGRANCE: Chloe.
WORTH THE SPLURGE: “A handbag. Hand’s down. And eyeglasses. Celine glasses. You have them on your face. They are the ultimate accessory.”
NOT WORTH THE SPLURGE: Diamond earrings.
FAVORITE FASHION RESOURCE: “I always pick up Vogue and W when I am traveling. I am a dinosaur, I flip through magazines. I also like to sit in airports and restaurants and look at people. I am a student of people.”
WISH I HADN’T BOUGHT IT: “A Gucci winter coat, double breasted with epaulets and gold buttons, olive green cashmere. I wore it twice, it was over the top. If it was black I would have worn it all the time. You would never wear an Army green coat at night.”
THE GREAT PANTYHOSE DEBATE: “I am for pantyhose. Donna Karan pantyhose is best with a control top and feels like silk, better than Wolford. I also think La Perla does a good job.”
ORGANIZATION TIPS: “I don’t wait until I move to purge. I purge all the time. I give clothes to a shelter for women who are homeless and trying to get jobs. I donated a chartreuse Donatella Versace top and later I saw a woman wearing it and she looked so happy.”
FASHION NO-NO: Garanimals. “I can’t stand matchie matchie.”
THOUGHTS ON AGING: “I am constantly moisturizing. I work out at Fit with a trainer three times a week. You can’t let things go and just fix them. Upkeep makes it easier.”
BEST CELEBRITY HAIR: “Robin Wright for short hair. For long hair, I’m a glutton for Sofia Vergara.”
GO-TO OUTFIT ON SATURDAY NIGHT: A Chiara Boni La Petite Robe dress and wedges. “I have them in every color. And maybe a little fur stole.”
FASHION EVOLUTION: “I was very trendy when I was younger. I didn’t get untrendy until I moved to New York and dressed very French, slicked back hair, black hose. As a journalist, I was a little more funky, eclectic.”
INDISPENSABLE WARDROBE ITEM: Mansur Gavriel handbags. “Absolutely minimal, like a piece of architecture. I am a fan of having little bags inside a big bag.”
ACE ACCESSORY: “I always wear a watch. A men’s Rolex with a pink face is a favorite. I like mixing metals.”
PANTS OR SKIRTS? “Dresses.”
HEELS OR FLATS? Heels.
DIAMONDS OR PEARLS? Diamonds.
WHY FASHION IS IMPORTANT: “It allows you to be creative. A dear friend of 30 years, Kara Young Georgiopoulous, a fabulous fashion model, told me if you are feeling down, dress up like a prom queen. Fake eyelashes, platform heels, until you feel better. Then you can move through the world spreading empathy and happiness and good feelings.”
Style Files runs weekly in Sundaylife. To suggest someone stylish to feature—your coworker, teacher, friend, relative or even yourself—please send information to stylefiles@delawareonline.com and include contact information. Pictures are super, too. Contact Eileen Smith Dallabrida at esmith@smithreports.com.