Celebrating the season in style  

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Celebrating the season in style  

Jo Wagner (photo credit Juan Macias)
Jo Wagner (photo credit Juan Macias)

As VBR’s fashion columnist, I plan for this new column to spotlight not only clothes and style but the local business people who wear them.

My favorite historical building in Harlingen, now known as “The Reese,” was built in 1925, and four years ago underwent a red carpet-worthy makeover.  Fashionista Jo Rae Wagner was the brilliant mind behind that masterpiece of repurposing.  Always stylish, Wagner became the first woman to chair the national Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors Association in its 125-year history.  She’s currently president of CTO Inc. and presides in style over the upscale eatery Colletti’s at The Reese.

Q What prompted you to take on a huge project like The Reese and Colletti’s?
A  The building was going up for auction. My sons Steve and Todd and I saw a lot of promise, even though it needed work. I thought it would be a beautiful building for the downtown district.

In one word, characterize your life as an entrepreneur.
A  Exciting.

To what do you most attribute your success?
A Luck and the fact that I’m stubborn.

Cool champagne or red hot? Create a timeless appeal with a champagne-colored dress. Luxe by definition, the elegant color combined with a gorgeous tulle fabric makes this dress chic and timeless. Taylor Saldana models a one-of-a-kind dress by local designer Laisa Chavez Macias of LaLa Fashion designs. I integrated a faux fur capelet to up the elegance and sophistication. And nothing says winter formal like a classic red gown. JoAnn Jimenez wears pearls and this red silk gown dress from Quelle Boutique to make a bold fashion statement.
Cool champagne or red hot? Create a timeless appeal with a champagne-colored dress. Luxe by definition, the elegant color combined with a gorgeous tulle fabric makes this dress chic and timeless. Taylor Saldana models a one-of-a-kind dress by local designer Laisa Chavez Macias of LaLa Fashion designs. I integrated a faux fur capelet to up the elegance and sophistication. And nothing says winter formal like a classic red gown. JoAnn Jimenez wears pearls and this red silk gown dress from Quelle Boutique to make a bold fashion statement.

Q  What three pieces of advice would you give to an aspiring entrepreneur?
A  Be sure you’ve done a plan that takes you out at least three to four years. Make sure you have the money to back it up, because it’s never easy starting anything. Know everything that you can possibly learn about what you’re going into.

What motivates you?
A  The fact that I can’t sleep but three to four  hours means I’ve got to fill in all the rest of those hours.

Shine bright like a diamond - Stand out from the crowd with some sparkle and shine! Sure, a little black dress is always a go-to for the party season, but who says holiday style has to be so cut and dry? For a New Year’s Eve party, try this classic embellished look by designer Laisa Chavez Macias. I paired the embellished top with sleek black silk dress pants also by LaLa. Remember not to overdo it: if you have one embellished piece, allow it to be the star of the show. You don't need to add any more "ring to your bling."
Shine bright like a diamond – Stand out from the crowd with some sparkle and shine! Sure, a little black dress is always a go-to for the party season, but who says holiday style has to be so cut and dry? For a New Year’s Eve party, try this classic embellished look by designer Laisa Chavez Macias. I paired the embellished top with sleek black silk dress pants also by LaLa. Remember not to overdo it: if you have one embellished piece, allow it to be the star of the show. You don’t need to add any more “ring to your bling.”

How would you describe your sense of style?
A  I like elegant.  I like simple. Fortunately I have a buyer at Saks Fifth Avenue in New Orleans that knows what I like.  Because of her I haven’t been in a store since 2004. This lady sends me what she knows I’ll like.  If I like it, I keep it.  If I don’t, I send it back.

That’s exactly what us stylists do!

A  Actually that started because I had a speech to give in front of 3,000 people, and the airline had lost my luggage. I walked into Saks and asked this wonderfully dressed lady, “Can you dress me in one hour?”  She did it and did it extremely well! And she’s been doing it ever since.

How important is style to you?
A  First impressions are really important in any business. We feel good about ourselves when we know we look our best.  So, yes, fashion is important.

What is your favorite article of clothing or accessory?
A  (Pointing to her long gold necklace with an attached gold lion.) This was my mother’s gold lion, and she wore it all the time. It’s probably 50 years old.

It’s timeless.
A I like a lot of my mother’s gold jewelry. They give that vintage look to outfits I wear. It makes me feel good to wear something she wore.

Professional stylist Lillyan David advises businesses and media on professional attire and dressing for success.
Professional stylist Lillyan David advises businesses and media on professional attire and dressing for success.

As holiday invitations start to mount for parties at the Reese and elsewhere, so does the uncertainty of what to wear. Like the perfect gift, the right outfit requires thought: knowing the setting, the guests and most of all yourself. Greet the season in style.

This story by Lillyan David appears in the December 2015 edition of Valley Business Report. For more stories from the December edition, click on the “Current & Past Issues” tab.

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