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By: Ilana Poole
You work for the most powerful woman in fashion. What does a typical day look like?
[Mari smiles.] There is no such thing as typical. But there is a rhythm. I start early — emails from Paris, Milan, sometimes Tokyo. Miranda doesn’t wait for time zones to catch up. By 7 a.m., I’ve already made 10 decisions that affect the rest of her day. Precision is everything.
Your day starts earlier than most. What’s the very first thing on the agenda?
Every morning begins with a staff meeting — department heads and editors. It’s where we align on priorities and review what’s coming across Miranda’s desk. That includes everything from collections to campaigns to beauty product reviews. It sets the tone for the entire day.
So beauty is part of those early conversations?
Very much so. Beauty isn’t an afterthought at Runway. It’s integral. We look at performance, longevity, how a product fits into a real working woman’s life. Miranda is extremely discerning so by the time something reaches her, it has already been tested in the real world.
That feels like a natural transition to how you approach beauty, especially with such long high-pressure days.
Exactly. My days start before sunrise and rarely slow down. I need products that can keep up without demanding attention. That’s why L’Oréal Paris has become a staple in my routine. It performs consistently.
Are there specific products you rely on?
Two are always in rotation. The gives incredible length, volume and curl. I don’t have time to go to the salon and this mascara makes me look like I have lash extensions. And the Infallible Setting Spray is essential. It locks everything in place and doesn’t transfer. When you’re moving between offices, cars and conference rooms constantly and brushing up against couture garments all day, that kind of reliability matters.
Your style always stands out, even when standing next to one of fashion’s biggest icons. Do you think about personal style as part of your job?
Absolutely. Presentation is part of the job. If you represent Miranda Priestly, you represent authority. I dress with confidence because confidence communicates before you ever speak.
What’s the biggest misconception about working this closely with Miranda Priestly?
That you lose yourself. In reality, you sharpen yourself. Working for a woman like Miranda teaches you decisiveness, discernment and self-trust. She doesn’t want clones — she wants competence.
What have you learned about power from watching her up close?
Power doesn’t announce itself. It enters the room already understood. Miranda embodies that and I’ve learned that confidence, like style, should never ask permission.
