Fashion met business on the evening of Wednesday the 27th of January at Prism bar and restaurant in the city, where Britt Lintner offered CWN members and guests some career advice as well as some style tips. Having worked in the city for over 13 years, Britt came to realize how good clothing can affect one’s confidence in meetings and business environment: “in high-flying positions where stress levels are elevated and time constraints are many, the quest for clothing that combines sartorial confidence with the virtue of practicality is a frustrating one at best”.

 

So after attending some fashion courses, she set up Britt Lintner the fashion label in 2006 which has been growing from strength to strength and counts among her fans Sarah Brown who can be seen wearing some of Britt’s designs in recent meetings with Michelle Obama. Britt however has not given up her passion for the city and still works as a principle in the asset allocation team at the hedge fund GLG. As if this were not enough, Britt also became a mother for the second time last year.

 

Her secrets? An incredible drive and a “can do” attitude. Her recent “dream” is to appear on Oprah Winfrey. She also makes sure that she surrounds herself with a reliable, efficient team both in the banking and the fashion arena. In fashion she has a few, but important rules: it has to be minimalist, lots of black and white, navy, muted colours. You can get away with red, green or purple but only if they are deep hues. Use the rule of seven: count your accessories and once you get to seven take one off. Use clothing with a little bit of Elastane, they will fit better and won’t crumple as easily. Be feminine, but don’t overdo it: low cut clothing or too short above the knee may give out the wrong impression.

 

Members and guests were greeted by some refreshing cocktails and canapés and after Britt’s speech 4 CWN members and 3 guests took on the catwalk challenge and became Britt’s models for the evening:

 

Kelly Birt: Executive Director at Goldman Sachs, working in the Futures and Option Division as Sales and Relationship manager.

Bee Lean Chew: Bee is a partner with West End chartered accountants Wilder Coe, where she currently heads up the audit department; she is also the treasurer of CWN.

Santa Orlovska: Santa is a member of the RSA Group Strategy Team working with the Executive board as well as RSA businesses across the world; she is also the technology and administration director of CWN.

Sue Brooks: Managing Director Barclays Bank working as Chief Of Staff in the Legal and Compliance Department.

Carol Alayne: Creative Director and owner of Tailoring for Women.

Louise Sharpe: investment analyst at Mercer Investment Consulting.

Melissa Fortunato: Assistant at Goldman Sachs, working in the Capital Introduction team of the Prime Brokerage Division.

 

The fashion show was followed by a forum session where we were able to provide feedback on the dresses as well as try a few of them on. Indeed some of the ladies did leave the venue with a couple of Britt Lintner’s shopping bags, but not before enjoying some more drinks and canapés and a good dose of networking!!