— Style —

Kate Doerge

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PARTNER AT PAUL WILMOT COMMUNICATIONS

By Brenda Coffee content editorial director Mark Grischke photographer Noel Sutherland

“Ever since I was little, I’ve loved fashion and beauty products,” said Kate Doerge, partner at Paul Wilmot Communications. While the firm is sometimes referred to as the “Tiffany standard of fashion PR,” Kate has been called “unimpeachably glamorous” and with good reason. Her office closet is a boutique, in and of itself.

“I feel very fortunate we’ve always worked with clients who I’ve been able to wear their clothes and benefit from the beautiful collections they have. That includes accessories from shoes and handbags, to the collections of our designers. It’s a girl’s dream to work in fashion, and it’s fun to to live my dream and enjoy doing it.”

“MY FIRST JOB INTERVIEW, I WAS STRAIGHT OFF THE BEACH. I WORE A PAIR OF SKORTS FROM BANANA REPUBLIC, A CHANEL FAUX PURSE AND JACK ROGERS PATENT LEATHER FLIP FLOPS.”

Seven years ago, Paul Wilmot Communications was bought out by Fleishman-Hillard, a division of Omnicom. “Over the years we went from a small agency of four people, to 38 people, 54 accounts, and five different departments: Fashion, Beauty & Wellness, Accessories, Culture & Lifestyle and Special Projects. I work on all new business with Paul Wilmot, and I oversee the different divisions with our other partner, Hampton Carney,” said Kate.

“Because of the amazing established designers and emerging clients we have, it’s all hands on deck during Fashion Week. We all chip in. It’s stuffing of envelopes, printing out seat cards, doing the seat charts. It’s such a fine oiled machine at this point. We’re experts in handling front of house for the shows.

“During Fashion Week, the classic uniform for the agency is dressy black, but I pick a dress from the designer whose show it is and wear it to the show. I always wear heels. I have a pair of flats, usually my Charlotte Olympia Kitty Flats, in my bag, because we’re racing from one show to the next.”

Even on the weekends, fashion plays a role in Kate’s life. “I have three kids, so my downtime is really my time with my kids. If I’m getting up at the crack of dawn and going for a workout before I start my day, I’m in workout gear. Otherwise, I try to pull it together a little bit. I go for a casual chic look like my Kitty Flats, again, from Charlotte Olympia and a great pair of Joe’s Jeans and a T-shirt.

“I have an amazing supportive husband, as well as an amazing sitter. With an hour long commute, one way to NYC, I think I’m a more productive mother. This way I get things done on the way home, and then I put away my phone, and I’m with the kids. When they go to sleep, I’m back on my phone, finishing up everything I need to do.

“I love what I do, and I love the clients I work with. The power of the press and the media has changed over the years. Years ago, we never thought about placement on the Today Show, or what a CBS This Morning feature on a client would do for a brand, but it’s everything. We had a client who was on Good Morning America not long ago. They had a product that was shown, and they sold $94,000 worth of product in one day.”

You can be feminine and chic, without being overtly sexy, and still come across as being glamorous.

– Kate Doerge

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Q and A with Kate Doerge

with Kate

SURVIVAL SKILL

Drinking a lot of water; getting as much sleep as I can, and having a great workout.

MEDIA AND SEXY CLOTHES

You can be feminine and chic, without being overtly sexy, and still come across as being glamorous.

WHAT EMPOWERS YOU

My kids and my husband are my everything, but I think, by having a career, it’s allowed me to be a better mother, a better wife and have a more balanced life.

THROWS YOU OFF YOUR GAME

If something happens to my kids. Two of them were sick when they were younger. It strengthened me and my husband. It helped me put everyday issues that may come up with a client, or with the media in perspective.

MOST DARING

Continue to work when my kids were young. For me, it was having something for myself, somewhat selfishly, but also knowing it would make me a better mother, which I think it has.

ASPIRE TO

That my children are happy and healthy and proud of a mother who has a career. As a mother of a young daughter and two boys, I want to be that role model so that they, in turn, can respect women who work and who are able to balance family and a career.

GUILTY PLEASURE

Dark chocolate. Any chocolate. Any dessert.

READING

I am reading to my kids all the time, but for myself? If I have a long flight, flying to Paris for a show, or flying to Greece with my son, I’m looking forward to being able to read on those trips. Otherwise, at night, I’m usually finishing emails, following Instagram, calling clients, and then just crashing.

STYLE NOW VERSUS 20 YEARS AGO

My first job interview, I was straight off the beach. I wore a pair of skorts from Banana Republic, a Chanel faux purse and Jack Rogers patent leather flip flops. My style has evolved greatly. It’s more casual sophistication. I’m not a minimalist, but I’ve been fortunate enough to discover designers who are flattering to my figure.

FALL OR SPRING

What ever season I’m in, but summer is probably the easier season.

FAVORITE DESIGNERS

Today I’m wearing Elie Saab and Timo Weiland. My bag is by Alexandra Clancy, and I love Charlotte Olympia’s shoes.

DEFINITION OF LUXURY

Quality. Something that makes you feel glamorous, and pampered, whether it’s beauty, clothing or accessories.

GO-TO OUTFIT

Because I’m commuting and getting my kids to school, it’s really easy for me to grab a sheath, you know, a shift dress. I know it’s going to work through the whole day; take me from meetings with clients during the day, to cocktails at night and home.

BIGGEST SPLURGE

Probably accessories and beauty products.

LIPSTICK OR EYELINER

Both! An eyeliner and a light gloss. I’m not heavy on the lips.

CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT BEAUTY PRODUCT

Dior mascara, Dr. Perricone foundation, my Kiehl’s midnight oil recovery and YSL lip gloss.

BEAUTY ROUTINE

Because I’m always on the go, it’s quick. I’m not a fussy high-maintenance girl. When I go to events, then I’ll put the extra effort in, but I sort of have my routine down so I can do heavier eyes and a light lip in three minutes.


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