Introducing Friends of Style IT, a new interview series that offers a bit of insight (plus a side serving of whit and giggles) into the lives of some of the most superhuman people I know.
Some people have a special ability of communicating online that makes you feel like you know them, even if you have never met. Julia Murphree, Director of Public Relations for Maybelline, has that gift. In fact, we somehow managed to go at least a couple of seasons during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week without meeting (even though we both made concerted efforts). Of course with Maybelline as one of the title sponsors of the shows, it's no wonder. Julia has a lot on her hands.
In addition to sharing the colorful world of Maybelline with editors and bloggers alike, Julia also won my heart on Monday nights, when it feels like the entire Twitter community bands together to live tweet Gossip Girl. Her comments are smart, insightful, and often Chuck Bass-related. Who can blame her?
To learn more about Julia's impressive career and more, keep reading.
How did you get your start in the industry?
My first job in New York was at a PR agency called LaForce + Stevens. I was desperate to work in fashion but their only opening was on the beauty team. I was hired as an Account Executive, catering to clients including by Terry, Carita, Decleor and Nuxe. A week into my new career, my boss went on maternity leave...and never returned. With little (if any) direction, I was forced to sink or swim. I dove in head first and fell in love with beauty in the process.
What's the funniest fashion mishap that you've witnessed? Bonus points if it's actually happened to you.
I have this awesome pair of leather pants I wear every chance I get. But the first time I wore them, they split right up the back! I was mortified. A coat check attendant gave me a shirt to tie around my waist, which probably made things worse since it looked as if I was going for a grunge look. Grunge wasn't happening at the time. Needless to say, I had the seam reinforced soon after this incident.
What are three things you'd never be caught without?
1. Falsies Mascara- I wouldn’t clean the house without mascara on.
2. A manicure- I always have color on my nails. I feel naked without it. My signature shade is Big Spender by essie.
3. My iPhone. Addicted to Twitter and Tumblr. #obvs
I'd never be caught with:
Flats on! You'll never catch me wearing flats. Unless I'm injured. Or at the gym.
If you wanted to dispel one myth about the fashion industry, what would it be?
A lot of people think working in fashion and beauty is all about going to parties and being fabulous. It's such hard work and there is zero room to be lazy. It's about dedication, passion, integrity and - if you're lucky - a little bit of fun.
I've known Crosby....well, our friendship feels infinate. I don't remember when or how I met her and I can't imagine a time when she wouldn't be in my life. She lives in a magical land called San Diego and works at an interactive agency, but that's just the tip of a long list of lovely things about her. She's the brains behind 
A year and a half ago, I met the ruggedly handsome 
I'll never forget the morning that I had breakfast with the elusive DKNY PR Girl. First, let's state the obvious: she has stunning red hair, is smart as a whip and an Olympic-level multitasker. While we were having eggs and getting to know one another, she's tweeting, responding to emails and managing to field calls from Donna herself without skipping a beat. The entire experience was seamless, like I had become immersed into her world where everything was a perfectly functioning machine. To this day, it's still a morning that I'm not exactly quite sure how it played out, but all I know is that it was glorious to experience.
