WOMEN TO WATCH: Kathleen Barnea Spink

Kathleen wears the Slow Love dress.

“I met Kathleen Barnea Spink almost 20 years ago when Little Joe Woman had just started in New York and was launching it’s very first collection. We’d hired a public relations company that Kathleen worked with and she was assigned to our brand - lucky us! We have remained in contact over the years and I’m proud to include Kathleen in our Women To Watch series of interesting, strong, confident and beautiful women.”

Gail Elliott
Co Founder + Creative Director
Little Joe Woman by Gail Elliott

Hi! I am Kathleen Barnea Spink- I am a mom of 3 boys (Winston-9, Otis-7, and Quincy-4), 2 dogs (Earl & Apples) and I am the Executive Vice President and Partner at Purple PR – a international Public Relations and communications firm with offices in London, Los Angeles, Miami, Hong Kong and of course New York City - where I am based out of.

How did you meet Gail Elliott?
I was lucky enough to meet Gail almost 20 years ago (!) while working at one of my first jobs in NYC. I was fortunate to work on the launch of her timeless brand – Little Joe by Gail Elliott. I remember the launch event like it was yesterday… it was hosted at an incredibly elegant venue (Rande Gerber’s Stone Rose Bar) , and so many of Gail’s glamourous friends attending, wearing, of course, Little Joe by Gail Elliott. So inspiring! Through the years Gail and I and her amazing husband Joe Coffey the Co Founder & CEO of the brand stayed connected through the years, and a few years later I managed to persuade Gail to come to London, where I was living at the time working at PURPLE’s HQ, to host an incredible luncheon for a beauty brand I worked with at the time. It was so wonderful to see Gail and Joe again. Gail, like her brand, is timeless, effortless, warm, inviting and a lot of fun!

@therealkbs

Kathleen Barnea Spink at the Little Joe Woman launch party New York - 2003


What’s your favourite beach?
Tel Aviv (I grew up in Israel until I moved to the US as a teenager, and there is nothing better then the Mediterranean beaches in Israel- followed by a delicious meal overlooking it)


Mediterranean Beach’s, Tel Aviv



Favourite flower?
I’m more of a wildflowers kind of girl…

Favourite hotel?
I’m a bit biased as I work with them, but I do love the EDITION Hotels all over the world, but the Miami one in particular. Also the Hotel de Crillon in Paris holds a special place in my heart.

Miami Beach Edition Hotel


Hotel de Crillon, Paris


Favourite cocktail?
Skinny Spicy Marg’s… or a glass (or 2!) of Rose!



Skinny spicy Margarita 


What’s your star sign?
I’m a triple Sagittarius… and if you look up the definition of a Sag- it describes me to the T!



Any favourite Little Joe Woman pieces and why?
The Slip dresses and wrap dresses! I feel like from all of Gail’s years of modeling and designing she really really understands the womans body. Her designs never go out of style and are truly classic pieces that fit into your wardrobe and always make you feel good.



What’s your fashion style?
I would say my style is “classic with a twist”. I avoid flash in the pan trends & fast fashion and would rather invest in wardrobe classics that I will have for years, like Little Joe by Gail Elliott pieces, vs items I would get tired of after a few months.


You’re the Executive Vice President of Beauty at Purple Public Relations in New York City - tell us a little about what your everyday job entails, who some of your beauty clients are, why you went into beauty and not fashion?
I don’t want to brag, but in my (not so) humble opinion I get to work with some of the best and most exciting brands in the beauty luxury space. They range from skincare lines like Augustinus Bader, Noble Panacea, Eve Lom, and Dr. Jart+ to makeup brands like ILIA cosmetics, ROEN, and Kevyn Aucoin, fragrance brands including Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Le Labo, Trudon and hair brands like FEKKAI, Balmain Hair Couture, and Kevin Murphy. How lucky am I that I get to work with some of the most exciting brands in the world and help contribute to their brand statrgies and creative vision? Above all – I truly love working with brand founders and watch their goals and dreams come to life. I find the beauty industry very analytical, creative and competitive, all of which excites me.

What are you reading?
Besides my ever flowing inbox … I’m reading articles on Growth Mindset- I feel like it relates both to parenting & management. I’m also rereading Shantaram, as I loved that book truly & completely.



Favourite piece of jewellery?
My new Cartier Panthere Earring my husband gave me for our 15th anniversary, and my engagement ring.

What are you listening to?
I love the classics! Etta James, Aretha & Fleetwood Mac along with 90’s grunge and 90’s hip hop- FOREVER

Any secret talents?
I’m a pretty good cook !

Can’t live without?
My family – they are my lifeline and remind me of what’s important in life.