Women To Watch: Trend Tracker® Tara Gilani With Sarah Jessica Parker
MIAMI (CBSMiami) - In this week's Women to Watch, Trend Tracker® Tara Gilani tracked down beloved actress and style icon Sarah Jessica Parker, who was at Nordstrom in Aventura for the South Florida launch of her new shoe collection.
The store was jam packed with fans and admirers, Gilani among them.
"I love her," said Tara. Sarah Jessica Parker is as nice as she is talented and stylish. I have interviewed her before. She's always a total pleasure," said Gilani.
Sarah Jessica Parker has been acting since she was a child; on Broadway as "Annie," on TV in "Square Pegs," and in dozens of feature films. Yet it was her iconic portrayal of style-obsessed Carrie Bradshaw in HBO's "Sex and the City" that turned SJP into one of the most recognized and adored women on the planet.
"SJP is many things," explained pop culture expert, Tara Gilani. "She's a wife, a devoted, hands-on mother of three, an award winning actress, a style icon and most importantly –a champion of many important social and political causes.
What makes Sarah Jessica so popular is that she engages with the public. She gets involved. She raises awareness and she raises money. She spends time on things that matter and she spends time helping others. SJP is the real deal.
For all her style and access and celebrity, she's honest, hard-working, down-to-earth and compassionate—that is what women relate to. In the "women we love" category, Sarah Jessica Parker is at the top of the list.
Long known for being a high-end footwear aficionado, it's no surprise that Sarah Jessica Parker would one day become a shoe designer herself.
"Remember the iconic scene in Sex and the City when Carrie found the Mary Jane Manolo's in the Vogue closet?" said Gilani. "Classic!"
Sarah Jessica Parker designed her new shoe collection with her partner, George Malkemus. He is the CEO of Manolo Blahnik. Says Gilani: "Nobody knows more about gorgeous designer shoes than Manolo Blahnik and George Malkemus." The line is called "SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker."
Charming trench coats and bags complement and complete the look.
When The Trend Tracker® told SJP she would be featured and celebrated on CBS4's "Women To Watch" series, the actress was visibly touched.
"Oh my gosh, I'm so honored. Thank you for including me. I don't know what I did to deserve any inclusion but I'm terrifically thrilled and flattered, thank you," said Sarah Jessica Parker.
SJP gets inspiration from other inspiring women.
"I went to George Malkemus as I very much wanted to work with him," said Sarah Jessica Parker. "I was inspired to ask him by other women, more courageous women, women who finally held me down and said 'go pick up the phone,' so that was enormously inspiring. It kick-started the experience from an inspired place."
Her shoes have names. They are named for women SJP respects. Some of those names are Maud, Iva, Etta. And Carrie.
"There's "The Carrie", of course, which comes in purple and nude and black which is named for a character that I had the good fortune of playing for many years," SJP proudly told Tara.
As the CEO of Manolo Blahnik, George Malkemus knows shoes. He also knows SJP.
"She is the loveliest, most respectful, most generous, most gentle woman that I have ever known," Malkemus said about his partner in the shoe biz.
Tara couldn't help but ask Mr. Malkemus what Mr. Blahnik thinks about their partnership. Mr. Malkemus graciously replied, "I speak to him every day and he says 'send a big kiss to Sarah Jessica.'"
The SJP shoe collection is about style, sisterhood, and giving back.
"It's for the women who have given me many hours of their time…our group of 10 million women…those who I see on the street. It's my way of trying to convey gratitude," said Sarah Jessica.
Tara concluded the interview by congratulating Parker.
"I thanked her not just for her fabulous new shoe line, but for all she does for women, humanity-wise," said Gilani.
SJP recently wowed at the 2014 Met Gala in a custom-made Oscar de La Renta gown. "I'm guessing she wore shoes from her own collection," said Gilani. "But don't quote me!"
SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker is available exclusively at Nordstrom stores across the U.S. and online at www.Nordstrom.com.
Sarah Jessica Parker is notoriously private but she does have a twitter account. You can follow her at @SJP.
As for the two elephant-in-the-room questions:
1. Did Carrie live happily after, after marrying Big?
2. Will there be another "Sex and the City" movie?
SJP and The Trend Tracker® have the same answer: "Stay tuned."
