Carla McDonald, creator of the go-to luxury lifestyle and entertaining digital platform The Salonniere, has inimitable style for miles. Recently her pal Lance Avery Morgan caught up with this busy entrepreneur, mom and wife to learn about how her ultra-chic style happens.
My style icon is…Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. She was so effortlessly chic and elegant.
My personal style signifier is…A pair of large black sunglasses.
Classic movie actress’ style I most identify with is…Ava Gardener, because she loved glamour and the color cobalt blue, and Katherine Hepburn, because she never met a black turtleneck she didn’t love.
Vintage film I feel has a very fashionable point of view is…Any film that features the work of costume designer Edith Head. A few of my favorites are To Catch a Thief, All About Eve, Roman Holiday, and Vertigo.
Classic designer I wish was still designing today is…Christian Dior, because he was so innovative, loved the female form, and revolutionized fashion with his New Look. Also Hubert de Givenchy, because his designs were pure elegance in a way that is seldom seen today.
Best career advice I’ve received is…Care about your job like you own the business. Interestingly, I think that advice helped to mold me into an entrepreneur.
How I made my first dollar was…Selling Avon at the age of 12.
Three qualities that got me where I am today are…Hard work, optimism and perseverance.
Last show I binge/marathon watched…The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Book that left a lasting impression on me was…The Diary of Anne Frank. I read it when I was seven years old. It was so powerful and made me fall in love with reading. Another is Crossing the Chasm by Geoffrey Moore. It is one of the best marketing books ever written and had a huge impact on my career.
First album I bought happened to be…Little Jimmy Osmond in 1972. I was a little girl living in London then, and his song Long Haired Lover from Liverpool was #1. I was smitten.
My favorite street to shop on beyond the U.S. is…The Triangle d’Or in Paris and Bond Street in London.
What everyone/woman should try in her lifetime is...Putting herself first without feeling guilty.
Things I am exceptionally good at that most might not know would be…Words with Friends, Candy Crush, and impersonating Cher.
The beauty essential you’d have to pry out of my cold dry hands is…Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1
My perfect day would begin by…drinking a cup of PG Tips tea and embracing my husband, daughters, and dogs.
My perfect day would end with…a goodnight kiss from my husband Jack and my NodPod sleep mask over my eyes.