and Now I’m Back to Being a Pumpkin …
Readers of this blog will know that, as part of a partnership with Vogue Magazine and QVC, four lucky women were chosen to appear in a QVC ad in the April issue of Vogue and on QVC’s National Makeover Day Show this past April 22.
I was one of those women. The experience was intense, exhilarating and awesome. I’ve written about my experiences at the photo shoot here, so check it out if you want to learn more.
Last week, while at the QVC studios prepping for the show, I was asked to blog for the QVC Community about my experiences leading up to the show as well as afterwards. I won’t repeat myself here, but instead direct you to my blog posts on the QVC Community website.
I will use this post to answer some questions I’ve been asked about my experience:
Q: What’s it like, as a “regular” person to be on TV? Were you nervous?
A: It was awesome and hell, yes! QVC prepared us well – if you saw the show, you’ll have to be the final judge of just how well. And, oh, the “us” in the previous sentence includes Mary Martha Douglas, Rocio Rivera and Christine Kennedy, beautiful, intelligent and accomplished women who were also chosen for this adventure.
Q: Did you get to keep the clothes?
A: QVC was incredibly generous and we got to keep, not only the Dennis Basso for QVC clothes we wore in the ad and on the show, but the Shoshanna jewelry and Josie Maran‘s cosmetics. Suze Orman, who appeared in the ad, signed her latest book that was part of a swag bag on the day of the show. And, by the way, the swag bag was one of several. And each of this was jam-packed and awe-some.
Q: What’s Dennis Basso really like? He seems so nice.
A: Dennis Basso is absolutely terrific. He’s a consummate professional and a gentleman. I can’t say enough kind words about him. (But I manage to try in my posts … )
Q: What does Lisa Robertson look like in person?
A: Lisa Robertson, one of QVC’s most beloved hosts, is beautiful in person and on television. Honestly, she looks the same. She is incredibly chic – in “on air clothing” as well as in street clothes and is also lovely, friendly and has a great sense of humor. She was obviously aware that this was an out of the ordinary experience for us and did her best to make us as comfortable as possible.
Q: Why didn’t they do makeovers on the show?
A: If you want to see some of the makeovers, check out the videos on YouTube. (When you click on the link, more videos will come up on the right hand side of the page.)
Q: You and the other women seem to really like one another. Is that for television or are you really friends?
A: The four of us bonded immediately. We walked out of our everyday lives into the pages of Vogue and the TV studios of QVC. Initially, we were nervous and, because we experienced this adventure together, only we understood how the others felt. There were many occasions for us to share experiences – outside of the eye of the video cameras – and we did just that. We have become fast friends. We lean on one another, bolster one another, tease one another and each of us expects that our friendship will last a lifetime.
Q: Weren’t you in New York for Fashion Week? Did you get to go?
A: Oh yes! Read all about that here.
Q: Who did your hair and makeup?
A: For our initial makeover, our hair and makeup was done at the Oscar Blandi salon in NYC. For the photo shoot and National Makeover Day show, a team of makeup artists and hair stylists got us camera ready.
Q: What was your favorite part of the experience?
A: My favorite parts were meeting and becoming friends with Mary Martha, Christine and Rocio and meeting the QVC staff and designers. As a fashion and beauty writer who’s been in the industry my entire career, fashion designers are my rock stars. Getting to meet Dennis Basso, Shoshanna and Josie Maran was definitely a highlight of the experience. I loved meeting and being in the company of the QVC staff and can’t say enough about them. Judging from my experiences at “the Q,” it’s a fabulous place to work and is staffed by some of the most professional – and nicest – people I’ve ever met.
Q: Would you do it again?
A: In a heartbeat.
So fun to follow all of your endeavors with this experience. The ad looks fabulous!!! The entire experience made me feel as if I was right there with you…believe me I didn’t miss a beat 🙂
Rose – thanks for coming along on the adventure. It was definitely fun. I’d do again in a heartbeat. (Now I only need them to ask!) Lol!
Love the Q & A format of this post, and the relationship you establish with your readers. I felt like I was there with you. Thanks for taking me along!
Such an incredible experience!
Q: Would I have loved to have that experience?
A: Yes!
Lol! Clever comment Tori! And the experience was incredible. Thanks for sharing it with me; so thrilled that you were able to be there with me in person!
Thank you for reading and for sharing, Charlie. Glad you enjoyed reading about the adventure!
Thanks for sharing I’m glad you were able to do this
Thank you, Lynda, for sharing the adventure with me – at least virtually.