The Recessionistas: An Interview and a Giveaway

The author photographed for Quest magazine

If you recall, a little while back I reviewed Alexandra Lebenthal's The Recessionistas, in my Book of the Week feature. I enjoyed the novel and was really impressed when I learned more about the author and her background. Needless to say I was very excited and honored when I was given the opportunity to ask Alexandra some questions about her book, her charity work and the future--as well as those all important questions about fashion and interior design!

Judith Leiber helped created the bewejelled NYC skyline for the cover

There is constantly debate about whether women can really have it all. You seem to have quite a bit, including a successful career in the financial sector (at Alexandra and James), a family, an active social calendar and now a new book. Do you think the promise of “having it all” is something that is attainable by women? How do you balance the demands of work and family life?

You can have it all --just not at the same time. Several years ago I went to the Shanghai Circus after a particularly stressful work week. I watched the performers balance bowls on top of their heads while on unicycles. Sometimes they fell. I realized balance is achievable for moments in time but isn’t permanent. Even though the performers were embarrassed when they fell, the audience was still amazed at what they were able to accomplish. Having said that, I still have times when it’s too much, so I try to have times when I'm free with nothing to do but watch reality TV and read magazines.

Many women who work in male dominated fields do their best to blend in rather than stand out, but that doesn’t seem to be your tact at all. What has inspired you to not only embrace your femininity, but announce it in the way you choose to dress?

I was put in a leadership position when I was very young and looked even younger. I was often asked to be on boards or committees where I was the only woman or one of only a few and definitely the youngest. I assumed that I was there only because I was a woman, and I had the legend of my Dad to live up to as well, so I would make it a point to say something and stand out. That transitioned into the way I dress. I also love fashion and similar to the character of Sasha Silver feel that it is a part of my personality, my costume, and at times, my armor.

As you consider clothing and accessories as a kind of armor do you find that selecting the right piece can really change your mood and your mindset? Do you have a favorite piece to wear for important occasions or when you need a pick-me-up?

Yes! I realized once when I had a big choker on that I held my head a little higher. I also noticed that people started commenting on pieces that I wore or seemed, frankly, to have a bit more awe or respect of me. It made me feel like I was stronger and stood out more. Again being young, (and also short), having something that made me feel bigger meant a lot.

I have several favorite pieces. A gold and rhinestone Chanel cuff from the 80s is one of my favorites. I also love vintage Kenneth Jay Lane earrings, Miriam Haskell, Liasophia and the new Grayce by Molly Sims collection.

You have a beautiful home. What is one item you think is necessary for having a stylish and inviting space?

Comfortable chairs and sofas so people want to stay!

At a New York Botanical Garden Event in Chanel Jewlery

You’re well known for your active participation on the charity circuit. What are some of the foundations you support?

My biggest passion is the Rita Hayworth Alzheimers’ Association. My mother passed away this March after ten years with the disease so I want to be a part of making a difference down the line in the lives of others. It was started by Rita Hayworth’s daughter Princess Yasmin Kahn twenty seven years ago and one day will be a part of finding a cure. Last year I chaired the annual Gala which raised $2 million and made me feel so proud.

I'm also involved with Hale House which provides housing, day care, and other services for homeless families. It’s in Harlem. The people who work there are so dedicated and when you meet the children who would be living in shelters you think about how their lives can change because people give money or take the time to be involved. Satire in The Recessionistas aside, these are people for whom the economy is all too real.

Lastly I'm very involved with the NY Botanical Garden. Who doesn’t love gorgeous flowers? But they also have the largest collection of plant specimens in the world, many of which are instrumental in developing pharmaceuticals.

Lebenthal and husband Jeremy Diamond

The subject of your book is incredibly timely, a real insider’s look at the great economic collapse. What made you decide to put pen to paper and why this type of book?

The book emanated from my column on New York Social Diary. I started writing about the financial world in fictional characters and found that I not only loved it, but readers also were commenting that for the first time they understood financial issues. I wanted to talk about what happened in our country over the last few years in a way that would be interesting to people that don’t normally pick up the Wall Street Journal.

One of the main characters in The Recessionistas is a successful career woman who juggles work with family and has a sizzling wardrobe to boot. How much of you can we find in Sasha Silver?

First of all, I need to say that my husband is not Adam! He is always there to help! I also have three wonderful children that only embody the best qualities of the Silver children. There is a lot of me in Sasha but also in all the characters- even the bad ones!

I do have a great wardrobe, but I love a bargain too! I grew up taking the subway to Loehmanns in the Bronx with my mom and still go to sample sales and shop on Gilt.com. My favorite saying is “look how much I saved.” I wear a lot of J Crew in addition to high end designers and have a lot of vintage jewelry from Ebay. (Like Bruce in the book I have sewn those pieces on bags and hats, too!)

I think the most important quality in Sasha that I recognized in myself was that you cannot wait around for people to fix things or make the world the way you want it to be. If you want something to happen, go get it or move on to the place where you should be!

Several of the characters in your novel are not really likeable, which you’ve previously said was intentional. Was it difficult to populate your book with so many characters that ultimately didn’t have very many redeeming qualities?

No – it was fun! As I said earlier even the bad characters have a little me in them. Sometimes I want to pretend I'm Grigsby and make it all go away. Some might say I get in my share of party photos. Sometimes I curse like John Cutter too!

When I wrote the epilogue though, I realized that each character had the ability to make their own choices and that, in and of itself, was a good quality. Grigsby was helpless for much of the book, but when faced with her downfall she picked herself up and did what she needed to do to survive. I surprised myself that Mimi realized what was important in the end. I ended up liking her. Blake lost his way but through his own mistakes, realized what was important and became a decent person. Ok there were still a few jerks.

We all love to talk about people we don’t like, or watch the same villains and villainesses on reality TV. There is an aspect of Schadenfreude in it. Making up bad characters takes that one step further!

What’s next for Alexandra Lebenthal? Can we expect another book?

Yes! I have the outline but I feel like I just had a baby and I'm still in the hospital admiring it’s ten perfect fingers and toes. I want to enjoy the fun of this book before I get started on baby number two!

A Few of Alexandra's Favorite Things...

Flower – Peony. It was my Mom’s as well. She planted them in the garden in my summer house in Bellport and every year they come up bigger and better. It’s like she is there with me.

Shop – Bergdorf Goodman. As if it wasn’t obvious in the book!

Clothing Designer – Douglas Hannant. Douglas and his partner Frederick are good friends. They understand what looks good on me and their evening dresses are easy to wear and glamorous at the same time. The day dresses always generate comments.

Artist – Fernando Botero. I don’t know why I find his images of overweight people very comforting. Maybe because he seems to celebrate it.

Author – Jill Kargman. Every single book she has written.

Day Bag – Prada black nylon that I bought in the Rome airport.

Night Shoe – Valentino green satin strappy sandals with green rhinestones and feathers. Bought those at the Valentino outlet outside Rome- told you I love a bargain!

Scent – I wear Frederic Malle En Passant Olivia Giacobetti for night and Malle Jean Claude Biagarade Concentree for day. I like wearing a different scent at night. When I put it on the smell automatically makes me feel like dancing.

Vacation Destination – The Caribbean. I find the turquoise color so tranquil and inviting.

Thanks so much to Alexandra for taking the time to answer my questions! Check here for a glimpse into The Recessionistas and here to buy. Want to know more? Alexandra is being interviewed on  Friday, August 13 at 12pm EST--you can listen here.

Leave a comment below for your chance to win
one of five copies of The Recessionistas
courtesy of Hachette Publishing.


Sorry international readers - Open to US and Canada residents only.
Giveaway closes on August 18, 2010
Winner will be chosen at random.

GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED

Image Sources: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13