I first met our Feb 2018 Style Crush at a photo session over a year ago and have since run into her several more times at various soirees, female entrepreneur events, and networking parties. This woman is everywhere! She’s a savvy businesswoman and girl-about-town. Her busy work and personal life keep her on the go. At times when many of us would feel overwhelmed, she is grace under pressure. Read on and see why I’m crushing on this upbeat lady boss’ s style.
Feb 2018 Style Crush: Grace Lanuza
Occupation/Title:Â Founder and CEO of Grace Lanuza Brand Strategy + Consulting Group – Brand Apiary, Clickruit and Pelota
Age: 41
Mother to:Â Wyatt, 5 years old
Hometown: Manila, Philippines
Currently resides in: Vancouver (Killarney neighbourhood)
(photo credit: Juliette Nguyen)
Personality
Describe yourself in 3 words:
Outgoing, ambitious and fun.
Pet Peeve:
Lineups. Especially at the airport security!
(photo credit: Juliette Nguyen)
Personal Style
How would you describe your style and how did you choose it?
Chameleon-like. I dress for the occasion…or at least I try to anyway. <laughter> With my lifestyle, I feel like I’m always playing different roles which require me to dress for the occasion. Some days, I’m meeting with clients on a private jet, other days I’m volunteering at the school bake sale, and other times, I’m at happy hour with the girls. Recently, I posted on my Instagram that I was dancing on top of a bench in Vegas while Test spins and a few hours later I was at the grocery store getting bread for school lunch (whoops!)! My secret though is finding key pieces that I can dress up and dress down and are carry-on friendly. You should also see the amount of footwear that lives in my trunk.
What kinds of clothes make you feel great?
A well-fitting pair of jeans that I can dress up or down. And always great lingerie. My grandma taught me never to leave the house unless you had on nice underwear because, you know, what if you are in a car accident? Can you imagine? “Noooooo! Don’t cut my Agent Provocateur!” <more laughter>
What is your favourite thing to wear on weekends?
Jeans, Converse sneakers, a lacy cami (so I still feel a little glam) and a plaid flannel shirt. That’s my “mom uniform.” I bought my favourite flannel shirt from the Grouse Mountain gift shop. It was an impulse buy because I was cold, but now I wear it all the time. It’s so soft! The brand is Woolrich.
What is your favourite thing to wear for date night?
Beautiful lingerie, LBD, crazy shoes or statement shoes. I’m not afraid of heels. I only own two pairs of flats; everything else has a heel.
Favourites
Which celebrity’s style do you admire?
J Lo for sure. I love her Jenny-From-The-Block look as well as her more glamorous looks.
What is your favourite store?
In Paris, there is a vintage shop called Didier Ludot. They have a lot of really amazing vintage Chanel pieces. I am also currently obsessed with a brand out of the US called MM. LaFleur (see blazer above). I just wished they shipped to Canada so I wouldn’t have to send packages to my PO box in Blaine. It’s not fun trying things on in the parking lot!
What do you never the house without wearing? Lipstick!
Hobbies, Passions and QuirksÂ
What’s one thing you can’t get enough of?
Wine and cheese. I am a total wannabe wine expect. My dream is to be on a talk show like The View, but about wine, travel and fashion.
What is your superpower?Â
I am one of the few people who can exist on very little sleep. My ideal is 4-5 hours. Any more than 6 hours and I feel sluggish. But I do like cat naps.
What is your passion project?
I mentor a lot of women-led organizations. Young Women in Business (UBC & SFU), The Forum for Women Entrepreneurs (FWE), Women in Leadership, as well as the Vancouver Board of Trade.
I have had many excellent mentors in my life, and I want to give back. I learn a lot from my mentees too.
What are you reading? I am currently reading a manuscript by a Filipino student about our ancestry, and it is fascinating to me. One book that I keep going back to though is Blue Ocean Strategy. I frequently recommend that one to my friends and mentees.
What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
It’s from my dad. He said, “There is a solution to everything, so think about it and then act.”
What is your life motto?
In my room, I have a print by Emily Ley that says, “I hold myself to a standard of grace, not perfection.” That’s my motto.
As an entrepreneur, leader, mentor, mother, and friend, I think you’re pretty darn amazing, Grace.
Do you know someone who we should feature as our next Style Crush? Tell us!
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Grace’s professional photos by Juliette Nguyen of Ivory and Gold Photography.
