"TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF"
Emma Noelle
Written Summer 2023
Chanel Interview
To Julia, Brian, Lauren, Gina, & Cristina,
I could never have done it without you all.
Thank you for believing in me.
It was a three-month long experience: the interview for the job of a lifetime. Five different people, all of those in management and into executive positions, experienced this story that was brought to life. That was all it took to unlock a long ago first memory of inspiration that I could never forget about. All five of them asked the exact same first question in interview, and all five were told this story of mine, one that I keep very close to heart. Typically, this is the most dreaded question… but not for me, especially not in those moments. Signature red lipstick was on, hair was a freshly cut bob with classical blow out, and an hourglass fit black blazer was worn. This was not, originally, my signature look; it was the signature of the most powerful woman I know; the greatest importance in my life path. Without even realizing, one of the very first, and of the absolute most important lessons I have learned, rather I should say re-learned, surfaced the first time in interview:
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One can only be powerful when they, themself, are empowering, encouraging, and educating those around them in a manner of leadership that is from good soul rather than boss in control.
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That was not the only lesson either. . .
This time was different when I was asked that question, in comparison to ever before in any previous moment, whether being personal or professional. I was sent back in time when I was asked. I waited to answer as I watched the memory play and the scenes cut in traditional movie sequence. I smiled with full warmth, as I realized in that moment, that there was already a foreshadow for who I would be someday, just like her, as I so hoped when I was a child. Then, I answered with the greatest excitement and without a second thought:
“I remember the first time I was ever at Chanel at Saks Fifth Avenue! It was the store on Fifth Avenue itself in New York City! I was three years old!”
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It was priceless: all five shared the exact look of expression, consisting of a cocked eyebrow of curiosity and a sheepish grin that almost turned into a giggle, if they couldn’t help it, to pair. They all wanted to know where this was going, and after all, that answer was not to be expected.
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She and I, hand in hand, stood outside the New York-known heavy and tall glass doors of the store, which happened to be her favourite. Her lifestyle? She was the bombshell of all things luxury, Avant Garde, and (dare I say), totally badass. She was beautiful: blonde and blue, yet highly intimidating with persona and style like no other. The paradox of it was that she was always one with the most gentle of energy. “Golden Soul”, as I say.
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The second lesson: to never judge a book by its cover.
She bent down on one knew for us to be eye to eye; for my then child self-comfort and most importantly: shared respect between the two of us. She spoke in softest tone that was warm and lively, yet firm:
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“Sweetheart, this is a very beautiful store with very beautiful things. These things are very special and very expensive. For us to be able to have nice things, we must work very diligently- very hard for them. We also have to be very careful to take care of them, so they last. These are nice things, yes, but nice things do not always mean better. We are to be good and do good to everyone and everything around us. Do you understand that and to be on best behaviour?”
“Yes Mummy. I understand.”
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Lessons three, four and five: Morals, Ethics, and Logics. So simply explained and so heavily learned. And yes, I was always on my best behaviour that day and so on every time after, because I knew she would continue to take me with her.
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As we went around and about the store, she always kept me interactive and inquisitive with what she was doing, looking at, and speaking to.
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Lesson six: everyone is to be included.
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She would pick up a garment off the rack, bend down, and allow me to be in awe through my then developing five senses. I vaguely remember my favourite elements on clothing being pins, pocket squares, and buttons. She would ask questions, such as which garment I admired the best, and I would always tell her which one or which not. She listened and valued my opinion; I remembered how that felt to be heard. If she didn’t love the one I did, she would thank me for expressing, tell me which one she loved, and would ask which one did we both love that would be coming home in the box. She made me feel safe; that it was alright to have different taste and opinion in comparison to someone else, but to be respectful and listen to what they express.
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Lesson seven: be honest, accept others, and find mutual solutions.
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After the box with the bow, and because I was on best behaviour of course, she would let me take lead to what I wanted to look at. I knew exactly what I was longing for and where I was going, and so hoped that I would receive a pretty bow too, at the end. I wanted a red lipstick, just like her. I looked at every single one and then found myself propped in the chair, at the Chanel boutique in the store, with my selection. Red lipstick was indeed put on me and I remember everyone around was filled with smiles of awe, joy of excitement, and most importantly: encouragement. I felt so beautiful, so, “me”, and so powerful- just like her: the striking face that could of so easily been attached to the House. That was the most magical moment in my life, as I had felt in that moment as a small child, and the experience only continued as they boxed it up with a pretty red bow to match.
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Lesson eight: always create magical and unforgettable experiences, especially for those around and those to be shared.
They will never forget how you made them feel.
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I never did.
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As we left, hand in hand, I learned through lesson number nine, with a simple question, that one must always follow the rules, otherwise: there will come consequences.
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“Mummy, can I wear it every day like you do?”
“Yes sweetheart, you can- but only for a little bit each day as long as you ask me for permission beforehand and let me help you put it on. You are not to wear it to school, otherwise, I will have to take it away.”
“Okay! I’ll ask! I won’t! I promise!”
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Upon listening with intent, all five collectively shared a new expression that was far greater than priceless: inspired. An ongoing of curiosity with a then slightly lowered brow, it was prominent in cliffhanger that there was still one lesson left. This was my lesson to teach. It is one that is always being taught, always being learned, and always being grown. This is done through oneself internally with the inspirations, experiences, and surprises with life and those around us. Not only could I see it, but I felt it in those moments through each individual person that they all had a memory that had unlocked. Then I knew, I had already taught it and only wanted the chance to continue on doing so. With a quickened together press of the red lip, I knew it wasn’t budging, neither was the element of most importance: the belief in myself.
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Lesson ten: always believe in yourself and to always believe in others.
Give yourself and those around you the chance, especially to inspire. When you believe, you inspire. You might oftentimes be quite surprised in what not only what you, yourself, can magically and extraordinarily do, but those around you as well. When I am asked this question in future, whether personal or professional- such as during this interview, it will still not be dreaded. To tell you about myself, I’ll hand over and present this short story of mine. I’ll tell you that I love people, I love to inspire, and I love to create magic.
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