Neiman Marcus' Rebecca Brodnan Smith Talks Fashion, Her Source for Inspiration and More!

Rebecca Brodnan Smith has worked for Neiman Marcus for 16 years since graduating from Vanderbilt University, and she has been the public relations manager for almost 12 years. Her professional growth and her style has also evolved through the years as she has gone through different stages in her personal life.

“I doubt I would have said 10 years ago I would style so much with golden goose and sneakers and of course I love that look now,” Brodnan Smith commented. “That is what is so exciting about fashion.”

Take a look at our interview with Rebecca Brodnan Smith below.

Rebecca Brodnan

Tell us a bit about your day-to-day – and what you love most about what you do.

I work 9-6 most days and of course depending on our event schedule nights and weekends. My days are filled with planning meetings, charity meetings where we are collaborating on events that have a philanthropic element, working with stylists in movie production and studio services, and of course event execution. The day is different and exciting every day.

How do interior design and fashion influence one another?

They truly feed off one another with the color of the season woven between the two as well as the trends you will see in textures both in fashion and interiors.

Do color trends in fashion also affect interior design?

Definitely. It plays a major part in both stories for fashion and interiors.

Where do you find inspiration?

Everywhere. Street style and my travels always bring renewed inspiration for me in fashion. Even my five year old daughter and how she will style her own looks gives a new twist on the ordinary.

What do you feel the biggest challenge that you’ve faced in your job?

Time management. When you are in retail PR and events you are executing many different events at one time for brands in the store. You have to make sure all receive the right amount of attention and detail focus.

Do you have a specific person that’s inspired you or mentored you, that one specific person that’s really influenced you?

I am inspired by fashion designers and women in fashion that balance it all. I am a working mom (about to have my third child) and the Veronica’s (of Veronica Beard), Amy Smilovoc (TIBI) and Lela Rose all inspire me with their work life balance.

What apps or software can you not live without for your job?

Instagram to get the word out on our events.

What 3 pieces of advice would offer to someone looking to pursue a career in fashion?

Work hard from day one. I don’t ask my team to do anything that I won’t jump in and do. Always be one step ahead and ready for the next project. And be inspired. You have to find what you love to do and then it really does not feel like work.

Rebecca Brodnan

Want to hear more from Rebecca Brodnan Smith? On September 25 at 1pm, she’ll be at Discover ADAC for the Common Threads: Fashion and Interiors session presented by Modern Luxury Interiors Atlanta/The Atlantan and The Fashion Group International of Atlanta (reception to follow at Showroom 58). Discover ADAC runs September 25-27 in Atlanta. You can register here as well as see all the sessions they’ll be hosting for the event!