If you’ve ever emailed us with a question about your order or one of the items we sell, chances are you’ve received a prompt reply from Vanessa. She is pretty much a superstar here at fredflare.com. She runs our Customer Service Department and so much more and she does it with singular style. For example, Vanessa has this infectious way of speaking and it’s influenced everyone here at the office. Like we no longer say “Good morning.” Rather we say, “Mornz!!” followed by something like, “Did you catch ‘Top Modz’ last night? Miss Jay looked craze!” Sometimes Vanessa emails us little funny secret notes that say things like, “Have the best day of your life!” Whenever she’s around, we do. Viva Vanessa!

So Vanessa, what do you do at fredflare.com?
First and foremost, I am the Customer Service Manager. I run the front end of the house! I review and process all your orders and inquiries. We are here to serve you! I am also the hair and makeup artist for our photo shoots. I glam up all the hot modz for our hot merch! I am also the general office manager. I make sure the fred machine is running smoothly and that everyone here gets fed and is happy all day. I am really involved in super fun things, too, like planning parties and sponsoring cool events for bands and other organizations.

How did you decide to work here?
I have been a fan of the flare for a long time and when I saw that you were hiring, I jumped for the opportunity. I thought to myself, “I would sweep the floors for this company if they wanted me to.” Out of all the jobs I’ve had (tons!) fredflare.com is my absolute fave! I’m such a luckster!

We know you're from Los Angeles. How do you like NYC? Which city is your fave?
Well, before I moved here I actually I lived in Nashville, Tennessee for a while. That was really different, a true adventure. Since I love all places so much, there is no way I can choose a favorite, though. Los Angeles has the best weather you could ever ask for and you’re near the beach and the snow. Nashville is a slice of heaven in the middle of nowhere. (You’d be surprised!) One thing New York has going for it is an abundance of resources. If you want Thai food at 4am you can get that easy here. All my cities do have one thing in common and that is that I have made some great true blue friends!

Anyone who knows you knows you love food! What is top on your list?
Aside from my native Filipino food, I can probably eat Spanish tapas every day for the rest of my life! My most loved restaurant is here in Brooklyn called Zipi Zape which I visit regularly. The bill is always ridiculous but it’s so worth it!

Ever thought of adding “chef” to your resume?
I think about it all the time! I love cooking when I find time. I’m definitely making that one of my summer goals. Cooking is the only art form that impacts all the senses.

Tell us what you do when you’re not busy at work.
Well, I do hair for friends – I became a licensed cosmetologist before I graduated high school and cutting hair is one of the best feelings ever! – and I also design clothes for various clients from time to time. I graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in 2003. For fun, I do other stuff all girls do like shop, read, talk about boys, listen to music and eat!

If you could design clothes or do hair/makeup or answer a customer service question for any celebrity, who would it be?
That would be a tie between Dolly Parton and Tammy Faye Baker! These women are true heroines for me! They have inspired me since I was a little girl to dream big and never give up! Both women are also very small in stature so I can relate to that as well. Ha!

Anything else you want to say to the boys and girls of the universe who dream big?
Yes, indeed! The route to the top is sweeter when you are sweeter. Meanies don’t last very long in any industry. Nice is the new black so wear it proud! If you guys ever need any hair, makeup, design, or cooking advice, feel free to holla at vanessa@fredflare.com!!!

05/2006


DIARY ARCHIVES: fred friends Lights, One Night Only, Rye Rye, next BIG thing! 2008, Jesse McCartney, Jonas Brothers, Top Model's Sarah Vonderhaar, Jack Mackenroth, Think Pink writer Lisa Clark, Kit Pistol, Au Revoir Simone, Supayana, What the Buck, Peter Bjorn and John, Ratatat, next BIG thing! 2007, shoe designer Jeffrey Campbell, Erika Forster of Au Revoir Simone, heartist Chris Uphues, Alison Kelly of Dahl, Stephanie Deleau of Noisette, Marilyn Patrizio of M.Partizio, Liam Sullivan of Kelly "Shoes", Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy, next BIG thing! 2006, Jill Bliss, next BIG thing! 2005, Loop NYC's China Young, Sukie, The Donnas, Vinnie's Tampon Case, Leah Tinari, Peach Berzerk, The Sperber twins, Jennifer Worick, Cody, Patch NYC 2, Chip Wass, Angela Adams, Venue, Jack and Lulu 2, All Girl Summer Fun Band, 31 Corn Lane, Charlotte Ronson, Three by Three Seattle, Princess Tina, Imperial Teen, Built by Wendy 2, Dana Carlson, Sweden, Jack and Lulu 1, Bob's Your Uncle, Mary Ping & Jonathan Adler, E-Z Living, Built by Wendy 1, Endicott Five, Patch NYC 1, media blitz Mod*Mom, Aya Kanai from Nylon, Grace Bonney of Design Sponge, Samantha Moeller of Missbehave, Marie Kare of The Sampler, Pink Is The New Blog's Trent Vanegas, Martha Stewart Kids' Jodi Levine, BUST's Debbie Stoller, YM's Elizabeth Kiester, Cargo's Ariel Foxman, teeter on tour back to brooklyn, she's so rad, double handsome, wild pony, enchanted treehouse, beanz-n- rice, wide open road, crush Teeter Sperber, Kelis, Jennifer Garner, Kylie Minogue, Charlie Brown, Scarlett Johansson, employee of the month Julie, Jen, Sammy Joe & Joe Sammy, Amy, Vanessa, Tim, Anne, Chanel, Josh, Lauren, Diane, Charles, Lillian, nancy drew review the haunted bridge, the whispering statue, the mystery of the ivory charm, the message in the hollow oak, the clue of the broken locket, password to larkspur lane, the sign of the twisted candles, nancy's mysterious letter, the clue in the diary, the secret of red gate farm, the secret of shadow ranch, the mystery at lilac inn, the bungalow mystery, the hidden staircase, the secret of the old clock, lulu in the city lulu luvs, extra! extra! read all about it!, pink Christmas, thanks, new york!, single in the city, spooky lulu, roller girl, jersey girl, no lights, big city, it was a "red hot" summer!, miss independence, billyburg shopping guide, lulu and the kitty, in like a lion, out like a lamb, my best friend joe, hotpants!, the queen of brooklyn, summer in the city, the anniversary party, garbage & neighbors & mice...oh my!, lulu in the city, cheap & cheerful give thanks, hula hoops, a piece of pi, cupcakes, fred fleur, tommy: mini mode happy summer days, it's a mod, mod world, good night, sweet dreams, my girl, keep on marching, one fine day, supermodels Dana's Lucky magazine shoot, hi-fi holiday honeys, supermodel Hillary's Warhol, fallfabulous, supermodel challenge, covergirls, fred on tour Paris Dispatch: Eiffel Awesomeness, Paris Dispatch: Just Strollin', Paris Dispatch: From Colette w/ Love, Paris Dispatch: Marie & The Moulin, Paris Dispatch: Bonjour, Peeps!, behind the music, San Fredcisco, LA Flare, chartoppers: the 80's 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, chartoppers: madonna Hard Candy, Confessions on a Dance Floor, reinvention tour recap, reinvention contest winners, Madonna, Like a Virgin, True Blue, Like a Prayer, I'm Breathless, Erotica, Bedtime Stories, Ray of Light, Music, American Life, top 50 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, window shopping 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, sales and events Carnival of Cute: Holiday 2006, Fall Sample Sale 2006, Pool Party 2006, Holiday Sale 2003, let's skate, Holiday Sale 2002, Holiday Sale 2001, Holiday Sale 2000, Spring Sale 2000