MOVERS AND SHAKERS: Rachel Levy Lesser, Author, Marketer and Shopper

Rachel Levy Lesser is an author, marketer and shopper. A graduate of The Lawrenceville School, The University of Pennsylvania and The Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan, she is the author of the recently released book, Shopping for Love, recently reviewed by Whom You Know:
http://www.whomyouknow.com/2009/06/read-this-shopping-for-love-by-rachel.html

From a very young age Rachel shopped with her mother, aunt and grandmother at Saks 5th Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Henri Bendel’s and other well-known stores throughout New York City. As the only granddaughter of a shopping maven, she was thrilled to have her own personal shopper, and she recounts these adventures in her latest book. Shopping for Love also tells the parallel story of Lesser’s mother’s battle with cancer and how shopping with her loved ones helped to extend the quality and quantity of her mother’s life.

Shopping for Love was featured on Glamour Magazine’s Life With Cancer Blog, the NBC 10! Show and several newspapers. Lesser has appeared at Shopping for Love events at Saks 5th Avenue, Barnes and Nobles, Borders Stores and Gilda’s Club throughout the tri-state area.

Before her writing career took off, Rachel worked in marketing at Time Inc. on such magazines as People, Teen People, People En Español, Real Simple, Life, and Sports Illustrated for Kids. While working at Time Inc, Rachel lived on the Upper West Side, and explored many of the shops on Columbus Avenue with family members by her side.

Rachel continues to work in marketing as the director of marketing at a strategic communications and design firm near Philadelphia. She also writes regularly in the Philadelphia Jewish Exponent on topics such as shopping, motherhood, daughterhood, cancer and women’s issues.

She lives in Yardley, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Neil; son, Joey; and daughter, Rebecca. Rachel and Rebecca can be found shopping at Baby Gap, Bergdorf’s, and everywhere in between. Peachy Deegan met Rachel Levy Lesser recently at Saks Fifth Avenue and interviewed her for Whom You Know. We are pleased to present her as our latest Mover and Shaker!

Peachy Deegan: What shopping event(s) were the most influential in your life and why?
Rachel Levy Lesser: Shopping for my first real sophisticated dress was a big deal for me, and I was already 20 when it happened. I say this because I feel like many young girls are now walking around in dresses that are way too sophisticated for them at much younger ages. My daughter will probably be one of them much to my chagrin. This event was significant because I was with my mother and she approved of my choice - a very short black slip dress. She was giving me a sign that I was now old enough to make these decisions, and, as I would later discover, it was treasured time with her that would end all too soon.

The other influential shopping event would have to be the day I spent at Saks with my mother selecting a dress to wear to my brother's wedding. My mother was so sick on that day. It was a miracle that she was even there, and I will never forget how she smiled at me sitting on the bench in the dressing room. It brought her such joy to know that I would be wearing the perfect dress to an event that she was hopeful to attend. She did make it to the wedding.

How has Rebecca, your daughter, influenced your shopping?
Even at the young age of 3, Rebecca is one of my biggest shopping influencers. I like to take her shopping because she likes to shop. As my family says. "it's in the genes." She holds my hand as we walk down the street and she tells me if she likes something or not. She has definitely made my style more casual and bohemian as I like and have to be comfortable when I'm with the kids.

Do your husband and son like to shop?
They do not. They'd rather be playing golf, hanging out outdoors, watching sports on TV - anything else.

What did you learn through writing "Shopping for Love"?
I learned so much. First of all, writing this book was so therapeutic for me. It really helped me channel my grief after the loss of my mom. It also made me realize how lucky I was to have my mom in my life. Even though it was for only 30 years, it was a great run. I learned that some people never get remotely close that in 60 plus years.

What has made you a successful writer?
I think it's because I write about what I know and I write from the heart. People are able to relate to my writing because it's genuine.

What are you proudest of?
I am most proud of the life that I have created for myself and my family after the death of my mother. This may sound corny, but I somehow made lemonade out of lemons. If you asked me 10 years ago, how I would deal with my mother's death at this young age, I would have assumed that I would be a basket case (and I do have my moments) but overall, I really try to live each day to the fullest. When my mother was sick, she told me to never use her as a crutch, and I think about that a lot. It's easier to crawl into a hole and feel sorry for yourself. I make choices all the time to count my blessings and enjoy all of them.

If you had $500 to spend anyway you wanted in Manhattan from 10am to 7pm on a weekday with any store you wanted open to be open, how would you spend it and why? Would you go by yourself?
First of all, I would probably go shopping with my Aunt Jo (my mother's sister) and if she wasn't available, I'd go with my awesome friends from college. It's really not about what you buy, but the people you buy it with. Years from now, I'd take my Rebecca, but even I know her limits now at this young age.
I'd start out shopping for hair accessories at Henri Bendel's. They have the best hair accessories, and I am a big fan or barrettes, ribbons, etc. I follow my mother's rule contrary to what many magazines will say that there is no such thing as over accessorizing. Then we'd stop for a quick lunch at the cafe Takashayma (they have the best salmon sandwiches on rice) or maybe the Gotham salad at the Bergdorf cafe. We'd then stroll down to Saks to find a fun dress on the 5th floor. That would probably cover my expenses, but I'd spend more time looking at the shoes and pocketbooks on the first floor and maybe find some spare change for a new lip gloss at the Trish McEvoy counter.

What is your favorite place to be in NYC?
Strolling down Columbus Avenue on a sunny autumn day with my oldest friends by my side.

What is your favorite shop?
These days it seems to be Anthroplogie. They have a great store in RockRock. Center. It really is hard for me to pick a favorite. I like them all!

What is your favorite drink?
Starbucks Pike's Place blend in the morning with a touch of cinnamon before the kids wake up and a good class of Chilean wine in the evening - after the kids go to bed.

What is your favorite restaurant?
A little neighborhood place on the Upper West Side called Pomodori Rossi. The food is always great, the staff is super nice, and I have lots of great memories there.

What is your favorite NYC book?
Breakfast at Tiffany's

What is your favorite thing to do in NYC that you can do nowhere else?
Walk from all the way uptown to SoHo just strolling along on a nice day stopping in shops, galleries and cafes when I want to and people watching along the way.

What do you think is most underrated and overrated here?
Underrated: the people
Overrated: the Rock center Christmas tree

What else should Whom You Know readers know about you?
I can write and talk about shopping to no end, but it is the people in my life who have been my real therapy and my real treasures. My family and friends who I appreciate more and more every day as I get older. I know how lucky I am.

How would you like to be contacted by Whom You Know readers?
rlesser23@gmail.com

For more information:
www.shoppingforlovebook.com