This week’s style diary is John Mahdessian, the president of Madame Paulette, the legendary posh boutique in New York and world’s leading custom couture cleaner. Having inherited a third-generation family business which restores some of the most beautiful gowns, sometimes even historic pieces, to cleaning the interiors of some of the most exquisite private yachts and estates, John Mahdessian learned a lot over the years about style and the world of luxury. The American businessman, well known on the New York social scene, is very proud of his Armenian heritage. In the private life, he is as successful as he is with Madame Paulette, and is happily dating the beautiful Dorinda Medley from the Real Housewives of New York City.
Sibylle Eschapasse: Describe your style? If a close friend were to describe your personality in three words, what would they be?
John Mahdessian: Charismatic, warm/generous, and spontaneous
Ms. Eschapasse: How did your style evolve since you were a teenager? What is the wildest thing you ever wore?
Mr. Mahdessian: As a teenager growing us in Queens, I wore your nice dress shirts, jeans, and shoes most of the time. I always looked presentable at all times, never sweat pants or very casual attire. As I grew up in the world of fashion, I have improved my taste, wearing designer brands and custom apparel.
Beside Halloween costumes, I guess the wildest is a toss-up between wearing a lime green pinstriped suit with a lime green shirt from Tommy Hilfiger for one of his fashion shows, or it was many years ago, when I had a Harley Davidson and I once wore just a leather vest on a ride out to the Hamptons. Yes, with jeans and boots.
Ms. Eschapasse: How do you dress on workdays versus weekends?
Mr. Mahdessian: I usually dress with a crisp, cleaned and pressed dress shirt, a nice pair of dark jeans and or slacks, dress shoes, and usually a blazer (linen, cotton and lightweight wool, or cashmere during the warmer months, and cashmere and velvet during the colder months.)
Ms. Eschapasse: What are three accessories you can’t live without, and what’s one item that makes you instantly more confident?
Mr. Mahdessian: Nice shoes, nice belt and/or watch.
