Book Launch

On April 16th, my book “Class with the Countess” will be available in bookstores nationwide. To say this is an exciting time for me would be an understatement. I have always wanted to write a book and have been keeping my memoirs in diaries since 1990 when I moved to Europe to pursue my career as a model. It was like writing three books, my biography, manners and how- to. My goal was to show readers that anyone can have class. You can’t buy it but you can learn it. I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth but my story will show that by finding the good in every situation, by being open to new experiences and by being receptive to the advice of mentors, I have learned to be comfortable anywhere, anyplace, anytime. This is much more than just an etiquette book, it’s about being comfortable in your own skin, making others feel comfortable in your company and learning how to get people in your corner.

After the Real Housewives of NYC aired, I was deluged with viewers’ manners and etiquette questions. As my visibility increased, I attracted the attention of David Vigliano, my literary agent. He knew that people wanted not only an etiquette book, but that they were also interested in my stories. He introduced me to publishing legend Diane Reverand with whom I spent last fall writing the book. This book would not have been possible without the viewers’ encouragement and inspiration and my amazingly intuitive publisher, William Shinker at Gotham Books.

In my book, there is a picture of two of my style mentors, John Galliano and Faycal Amor taken in the early nineties. Both of these men are huge talents who helped me understand that fashion influences how one feels on the outside as well as the inside. Imagine my surprise then when who should I run into at my hotel today but John Galliano! Talk about being at the right place at the right time. Since nothing happens without a reason, I believe we ran into each other today to remind me of the path I’ve traveled and the exciting road ahead of me.


Tip: Start every day open to being at the right place at the right time and good fortune may just smile upon you.