Chic Galleria Hits New York City for the Fashion Forward 2008 Fundraiser!

Beth Anderson, the founder and bubbly brilliance behind Chic Galleria, was recently invited by Project Runway's Jack Mackenroth to the Fashion Forward 2008 Fundraiser.This event was presented by Bank of America benefiting Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC). Getting the ins from Beth's trip to the Big Apple excites me so, that I asked to interview her for a change. (She is the queen bee of interviewing Project Runway designers on Chic Galleria.)

So enjoy some of her insight and thoughts right here, on Diary of a Personal Shopper. Be sure, of course, to visit Chic Galleria for the rundown and details of the fundraising event. Beth was able to chat with Tim Gunn, watch a Betsey Johnson runway show, and listen to Jack speak about his campaign, "Living Positive By Design" -- just three of the jaw-dropping moments tha gained my pure envy. But make that pure, PROUD, envy.

You are now part of Jack Mackenroth's media team! Very cool. How did that develop?

Jack and I originally started corresponding through MySpace. We did an interview for ChicGalleria.com and then he started sending me updates on what was happening with his career. He invited me to attend the GMHC Fashion Forward 2008 Fundraiser as his guest and I accepted immediately!

And your recent trip to NYC for the "Fashion Forward" show...amazing! What was your number one lesson you took with you from that experience?

Something Jack said when we were chatting at Starbucks, "We are normal people who happened to have been on a reality TV show." Let me just say "normal" people like Jack are extraordinary! His voice is touching the lives of so many people through his Living Positive by Design campaign. One person can make a difference.

On Chic Galleria, you have this awesome trend in interviews running, where you pick the brains of past Project Runway contestants? What made you decide to do that?

It started with an e-mail I received from Christian Siriano, winner of Project Runway Series 5. I thought, "I love Project Runway and I always wonder what happens to the contestants when the show is over." I sent e-mails out to many former Project Runway alums. The interviews are still coming back to me. So far I have had the pleasure to interview Jack, Kevin Christiana, Sweet P, Rami, and Suede. I would like to do the same with Top Chef alums soon.

Tell me about your fashion sense. I've helped you pick out a few items last year, and I remember thinking that you have a great fashion personality: you are open to trying out new styles!

I'm turning 46 on Monday and I'm all about dressing appropriately for my age. I don't fall into trends or wear anything that my daughter would want to share with me. I love to invest my money in gorgeous pieces that I feel good wearing. The Alberto Makali blouse that I wore to Fashion Forward was something I had my eye on for several weeks. I was so excited when Tim Gunn asked me who I was wearing when we were having our picture taken on the red carpet. He loved it!

What are your goals with Chic Galleria? It's not even a year old, and already, you are attracting how many visitors a month?

I would love Chic Galleria.com to be a website that people visit every day. We just added a "Living" section today. We have twelve contributing editors who are experts in their fields and I'm just thrilled with the articles that are publishing each day. I want to offer something for everyone. We offer women crisp style pics and personal development advice; the latest fashion trends for men with a flair for extravagance; recipes and culinary products to tempt your taste buds; education, health and the latest trends for readers with children; healthy tips for living the spa lifestyle and creative ways to treat yourself well and ideas for making your home the perfect sanctuary. I've interviewed jewelers, authors, artists, cartoonists, designers...the list goes on and on.

Well, Beth, from My Chic Things to Chic Galleria, how the heck do you fit in time for yourself and your family?

I don't sleep! Seriously, I have a wonderful team of writers who help me, a fabulous web designer who handles all the tech stuff including our amazing newsletter and a fantastic ad manager. Most of all, I have my business partner (my son) who keeps me sane. I couldn't do it without you, Elana, and our ChicGalleria.com family!

Well, I'm sure I speak for all of us, when I say: Happy Birthday! May all your blessings continue. Now catch up on your zzzzzz's....You deserve it.

Visit Chic Galleria to read Jack's speech!

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Beth Anderson (From top to bottom, Beth is posed with Jack Mackenroth, Tim Gunn, and Suede.)