All Dressed Up With Nowhere To Go: Arielle Patrick

Who isn't absolutely, completely, hopelessly desperate for an excuse to get dressed up these days?

Well, apparently not girl boss extraordinaire, Arielle Patrick.

She's had absolutely zero issue keeping things stylish these past few months. Like, this is her actually just going to the grocery store - which explains completely how she's one of the youngest senior executives in her industry. 

As they say, dress for success!

What are you wearing?
My fashion policy is: don’t overspend on basics, but never skimp on the quality of your accessories. A tee shirt is a tee shirt, amirite? Here, we’ve got: a Banana Republic blazer, J Crew pants, an H&M tee, Chanel flats, an Hermes Birkin, and Tom Ford sunglasses. Corporate dressing has become a part of me over the years, and I haven’t totally abandoned it in quarantine. 

I’m always in client and board meetings via Zoom. It’s second nature, even for the grocery store... which is where I’m headed in this photo!

Where are you riding out the storm?
I’m at my family’s country house in Connecticut. Once my apartment building’s gym on the Upper East Side closed and Barry’s Bootcamp stopped in-person classes… I needed to flee for access to hiking trails, our treadmill, bikes and weights in the basement gym - and the pool for swims!

Drink of choice these days?
I’m a big fan of a bourbon nightcap – specifically Bulleit. It takes the edge off a stressful work day.

What's been your biggest WFH hurdle?
I work in mergers and acquisitions and restructuring – essentially, big deals. A critical part of making sure that the working group (clients, bankers, lawyers, and communications consultants) can work successfully, is the in-person engagement and deep relationship building that happens in the boardroom. Zoom just doesn’t cut it.

I’m also an angel investor on the side, and it’s been hard to sit down with my founders and hear what they’re feeling, thinking, and what they need without meeting face-to-face. However, we’re all adapting as quickly as we can.

Favorite thing you've watched so far?
I’m obsessed with “#blackAF” on Netflix, as well as “Insecure” on HBO. It’s been really amazing seeing the increase of highly diverse, intelligent, and challenging TV narratives about the Black experience in America.

What's one little luxury of normal life you miss the most?
I miss being able to throw a gala and convene up to 500 of my “closest friends” to rally around a good cause. I’m on several non-profit boards, and we’re trying to figure out how to continue fundraising and inspire people to give in the COVID environment. The unfortunate fact is that the majority of humans are not inherently or intuitively philanthropic. In order to open their wallets, they often seek an event with “ROI.”

That’s why digital events are so difficult. The internet is, by design, all-inclusive and without charge. It’s hard to ask for money in exchange for a virtual gala. A few rare birds have been able to harness the spirit of an in-person benefit online. Larry and Toby Milstein hosted “Zoomtopia,” which featured live performances by up-and-coming artists and they partnered with Billy Farrell Agency who documented and published photos from the Zoom. Everyone got what they came for… plus, they raised a ton of money for great causes. That was one of my favorite evenings since the pandemic began. Millennials and Gen Z are leading the way on innovation. I hope to follow suit.

What's the most fabulous thing you've done in quarantine so far?
There’s nothing more fabulous than taking a hike with my fiancé and debriefing on the work day. We try to reserve at least an hour a day to walk and talk. We got engaged March 1st, right before quarantine, so it’s been marriage bootcamp ever since!

[Photo courtesy Arielle Patrick]