Interview: Michael Fink of Saks Fifth Avenue

You know how good it feels when you manage to wear the exact right ensemble at the exact right time? It doesn't happen very often (at least to me), but I loooove that feeling. So I have to say, there is nothing in my closet. Not one item of clothing. That would have been perfect for the particular situation I'm about to describe to you.

From time to time I'm offered a chance to interview someone as part of a media campaign. And I've typically said "no thank you" for one reason or another. (The reasons mostly being my randomly occurring social awkwardness.) But the other day I received an invitation to interview Michael Fink, the head of Women's Fashion for Saks Fifth Avenue. And I was like, "You bet!" I couldn't say yes fast enough. Because I think Michael Fink is amazing at what he does. And I totally wanted to meet him.

So I showed up at Saks, pretending I was dressed well and totally-up-to-speed-fashion-wise, and sat down for a while with Michael Fink. This is what I learned. Every spring and every fall Saks and Mastercard partner up — they pick the hottest trends and put them on a list. The Saks Want It! List — which comes out this Thursday. For Fall 2008, here's what Michael says is super hot:

1) Purple. Leaning toward berry, not toward lavender.
2) The Romantic Blouse. Something with ruffles or lace.
3) The Top Handle Bag. Bonus: it comes with a shoulder strap. Which makes things much easier for Moms-on-the-go who need two hands at all times.
4) Tailored Dresses. Put away the a-lines, and opt for something a little more refined.
5) Boots. Any style. Any height. Any heel. Any boot.
6) The Statement Necklace. Something chunky, big or bold.

And for Men. Plaid. Plaid. Plaid. Plaid ties, plaid pants, plaid shirts. (Preferably not all at once.) Add something plaid to your husband's wardrobe and you'll be good to go.

That is the Fall '08 Want It! List in miniature. Now don't you feel all fashion forward? Nice. You can find the expanded version at Saks this week.




And now I'll describe to you my complete and total moment of embarrassment. The exact kind of moment that keeps me from participating in more interviews.

The interview was going very well. Michael was gracious (and impeccably dressed — with a plaid tie) and lovely to speak with. And we were sort of wrapping things up when I suddenly made the conversation really, really awkward. Because I am an idiot.

I mentioned how I had first seen Michael on The Sartorialist. And Michael responded how he also enjoyed reading Scott Schuman (the name of The Sartorialist) and asked if I'd ever met him. And then Michael said, "And he has such great eyes." And I paused (just the tiniest pause), not quite knowing how to respond, before I said, "Oh. I've never seen The Sartorialist before. So... He's handsome?"

And as the expression on Michael Fink's face changed every so slightly, I suddenly realized he had said, "He has such a great eye." (Not, he has such great eyes.) As in, The Sartorialist has such a great ability to spot beautiful fashion. Oh.

At this point I mentally willed myself to become invisible while I died of embarrassment and simultaneously left Michael Fink to either confirm or deny the handsome-ness of The Sartorialist. Oh. (Shudder!) I'm still cringing at the memory. (There's a photo of Scott Schuman here, fyi. And yes. He's very handsome.)

Michael was (of course) completely delightful through it all and even though I was badly dressed and asked awkward questions, he didn't even give me a dirty look or raised eyebrow once. Not for a second. Even so, with my shame and awkwardness hanging heavily over me, I couldn't leave the interview fast enough.

If anyone else is interested in having me ask them socially awkward questions, just have your people call my people.