What's My Logo?: Arianna Embraces Her Femininity

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Amanda Miller: Your logo is a feminine blouse or sweater. How did that look start?

Arianna Huffington: When I started doing television, all the women on television used to wear suits with shirts underneath - but I thought, "Why do we all have to look like men?" So that's when I started wearing a blouse or sweater - something that wasn't a suit and a shirt.

Arianna in leopard print blouse with Bill Maher, Photo credit: AP

AM: What statement does that make?

AH: That you can be feminine and be strong at the same time, and be age appropriate. I also have a limited color palette: black, gray, brown and white. Maybe a splash of color here and there, but this way who you are and what you say can be the focus rather than your red suit or green jacket.

AM: How has your look evolved?

AH: I was freakishly tall for a Greek girl, and when I was in my 20s I found myself wearing flats all the time because I was uncomfortable with my height. I'm 5'10'' and I grew up in a culture where my class mates were 5' nothing; it took me a while to update my self image. Now I wear heels.

AM: Did your mother have great style?

AH: My mother didn't have great style, but she was very authentic so that's what she taught me. She would wear caftans and go barefoot - she let her hair go gray and never wore makeup but she was a great role model of authenticity because she felt great about herself. That was her style - her own style.

AM: Is personal style a professional asset?

AH: Absolutely. Because its part of who you are - as the French say "etre bien dans son peau," or to feel comfortable in one's own skin. Your clothes are an extra skin, and if you feel good in them, you radiate confidence and then the clothes are just the background. If you go out and wear the most beautiful thing but you don't feel good in it, you are not 100% present. You are worrying about the collar or the fit - the key thing for me is to be present in what I'm doing rather than worrying about my clothes.

AM: Has anyone ever made a negative comment about your style?

AH: No, because it is so basic.

AM: Did your style change when you ran for Governor?

AH: I wore a lot of t-shirts, Petit Bateau t-shirts, and cotton suits and flat shoes. They could carry me through the day. My wardrobe became much more practical, but always the same simple color palette.

AM: Who are your style icons?

AH: I am always drawn to women who wear separates - like Katharine Hepburn in the 40's. Women who go to black tie events in a beaded sweater and slacks or a long skirt.

Arianna in separates at the 2006 Time 100 dinner (credit: AP) and style icon
Katharine Hepburn in her signature separates (credit: imdb.com)

AM: What are some of your other signature style traits?

AH: I drive a Prius, which I've done since 2001, because it's important to me to drive a fuel-efficient car. I love fountain pens and I write in dark blue. My toes are painted burgundy red, and my nails are pale - because I travel so much and I can't stand them being chipped.

AM: What advice do you have for professionals just starting to create their own logos?

AH: The first thing is to figure out what they feel good in, what they look good in, and what is comfortable; wearing something that you're not comfortable in is the ultimate sin. It's important for each person to discover their own style, and find something that is not trendy or too revealing or anything that would get in the way of working.

Arianna in all black on the set of Charlie Rose, Photo credit: AP

AM: You have talked about feeling like an outsider. How did that influence your sense of style?

AH: For me it was more coming to terms with my accent, which was a big part of feeling like an outsider. And I got comfortable with it as I got older, realizing that it's who I am. But not everyone gets older and feels good about themselves. I would not want to have plastic surgery. I don't want to go under the knife.

And people are starting younger. The worst is preemptive plastic surgery - it's like preemptive war: it's just not a good thing.

Comments

[VictorLudorum]

USA is powerfull and Glamorous ,you just dont want the non chalent logo when your a Governor of California .....but rthe sweet smell of Hi Technology coming from dresses .buckles,glasses,shoes you know whatever......................... Industral and green technology is favourable and ROI!

[VictorLudorum]

Lot of women are starring in big themes...............ariana has a technical hand "its the INTERNET!

[Albertde]

Bien dans sa peau, S.V.P.

[ghostsofamerica]

Well, the time may have come to lauch ARIANNA WEAR....Embrace your feminity, so others will embrace You.


Or Huffpo Wear for the boys in your life.

[javaman]

one word: Yummmm! :)

[SEQUOIABISON]

Arianna you still got it, charm, class, poise, beauty and sexy, you're Hot.

[mamacat]

You are a great role model Arianna. If only young women would look up to you, instead of imitating women with fake body parts. Smart, good looking, accomplished, a leader, real,......these are not bad qualities for young people to admire.

[hoodrat]

I keep saying, smart and fine(5' 10"?), and an exotic? - got to go! Cold showers await! OOOOhhhhhh......too late : )

[avraamjack]

.
There is no such thing as "freakishly tall".
.
There is only "babeishly tall".
.
http://www.fivb.org/visasp/Img_GetImage.aspx?No=200628272
.

[LordMoon]

You seem like a very nice lady. And when I say the word Lady, I mean just that poised, and comfortable with yourself. Of course your not perfect, but that's why you need us.

[JMEB]

I've always thought Arianna was a beautiful woman.

And I really like her accent. (I do not think she sounds like Zsa Zsa Gabor) But then again I've always had a weakness for Greek and Greek-accented English.

[Promise]

Arianna, you have wisdom, courage and heart. You're not afraid of being your own wonderful, funny, sexy self. I don't care what you wear--you are an inspiration to women. I look forward to seeing how you handle the process of aging. I hate plastic surgery too, but it is discouraging to look in the mirror and wonder who that old woman is. Please keep us posted.

[huffyISaHottie]

as you can tell my by log in name...this fella been a fan of this lovely and bright woman for some time now. I even like her politics...LOL...

[ghostsofamerica]

HuffPost's Pick

1. you have a great smile and a great laugh. No woman is beautiful without that.

2. you have a great mind that thinks fast and gets excited about ideas. No woman can be exciting without that.

3. you have character in your face and it shows you have spirit and individuality.

4. you have ambition, which is a nice androgynous trait that can only be attractive with compassion, which you also have. 2 points here.

5. you were very unique pieces of clothing, and seems to be what you like, not what others tell you to like. you choice of material tends toward the feminine, but the tigery leopardy thing is sort of fun and shows jest.

6. you have a great deal of hard won confidence and that is what is appealing, your honesty about who you are.

7. your accent it terrrrrrrrrific. and so is that whole expression "very very nervous" that was wonderfully parodied.

8, I really like your nose. I think it is your original, and that is sort of wild in this day and age.


You rock!

[QueenCeleste]

Arianna, you always look chic and glamorous. A few years ago I was at a talk/book signing and you were just riveting, fashionwise and otherwise.

[coblstone]

"HUFF.I.L.F."

[Jennykim]

I usually listen to the political comments you make in CNN.

Since you have the power, so you can say whatever you want to say without fear. But, a female student like me how can I say whatever I want to say. I was scolded by my adviser without any reason when he came to know that I have a child to take care of. Why don't you write an article or talk in the main media about what is going on in the universities. Graduate students are used as cheap labor. In research settings, when we don't get the expected results, students are mistreated. When we were in first year, we were told we were expected to work in the lab just for 20 hours. Then we are asked to work even during weekends and nights.

As a female why don't you talk about it. I can't leave from the university because I can't find a job now.
Most of the students are foreign graduate students, so they do not say anything about these arrogant professors behaviors in universities. I was even told by my advisor that I am female so I should not study.

This guy was interviewed for the faculty position at U of Texas recently for a faculty position. I am living with the mental trauma caused by him. Once I was thinking harm myself too because I thought that I would loose my student status.

Please Investigate it. Do something for us.

[ArabianMonkey]

Fabulous!!

[Amomma]

Arianna, Yes, HuffPost's Pic is spot on. I agree with every word.

But here is one for women to consider, what happens when we get old and no longer can define one of our assets as Beauty? How will the world regard us then? Especially when we have gained even more insight and experience but look, how shall I say it......not hot?

[LauraAlexis]

Arianna, you are a rolemodel for women all over the world. You are feminine yet strong, opinionated yet compassionate, intelligent but not cocky. You're gorgeous inside and out.

[larry278]

Ms Huffington, you no longer have an accent. We who make a point of listening to you speak don't hear an accident. We hear a woman who has mastered speaking British & American English & who speaks English clearly & carefully. I will not say that you speak English as a Second Language, aka ESL, for I should not be surprised if you speak languages other than Greek & English fluently & carefully. Arianna, you're a perfectionist. You're your own most unforgiving critic. No one can criticize you for relentlessly seeking perfection; but we may humbly ask you to acknowledge that you are a fluent & accomplished speaker of English. Remember, we who first learned to speak English also have accents which will tell all from whom & where we learned English. Those of us who earn or had earned a living by listening to English [as she is spoken] learn to filter out accents as we hear English being spoken. Your voice has a sparkling lilt. If you had not proudly proclaimed that you're a Greek, I'd guess that you also spoke Arabic, or Hebrew, or Yiddish, or Romanian, or French, or Dutch or a Scandanavian language. Unlike your listeners, you will always hear your accent as you speak English. You always seek perfection. That's the essence of Arianna. I shouldn't be surprised if you freshened your face each time that you went from a dark bed room to a lighted room. I remain your admirer.
larry lynch

[valleygent]

Arianna, you would be beautfiul in a potato sack! You are honestly one of the most beautiful women in the world.

[rjlwis]

Let me second that motion...all in favor say aye!

[PerryWhite]

I sense a fragrance coming.

Arianna - do you have the courage?

[CSDofNM]

Of course Arianna has the courage.

Her signature scent is the bittersweet smell of truth.

Her style is classic Greco-American Neuveau, if you can understand both the complement and contradiction in that.

I'm proud that she can be brilliant, beautiful, and help us discover the truth at the same time.

Dahling, you look mahvelous!

[JScott]

The stiff curled hair look from your conservative days was just too uptight and it looked the political persuasion. This look is much better. What is it about conservatives that they have to go with the televangelist look/stiff hair/hairpiece anyway?

[smzzzz]

HuffPost's Pick

Intelligence, compassion, beauty, integrity, class ... and style. Forget, Hillary, Oprah, or whomever, ladies and girls. Arianna is THE role model.