MANIAC style profile TANYA BROOKS
WHITEHOUSE SALON “Every once in a while, a girl has to indulge herself.” -Sarah Jessica Parker Classy women with impeccable style and grace are hard to come by these days. When I met Tanya Brooks, owner and artistic director of Whitehouse Salon on a snowy, wintry day, she nailed it in her Stuart Weitzman knee-high crocodile boots, leggings and oversized sweater. Ladies: take note. Tanya is a transplant from Toronto, the New York City of Canada, known for its fashion forwardness, where she owned a salon for 15 years. Tanya fell in love with a man, then Pittsburgh, and now she’s here to stay. She floats through her impeccably decorated, sun-drenched Shadyside Salon with effortless style. As Billy Joel would say, “She’s Got a Way About Her.” If you live in Pittsburgh and you haven’t been to Whitehouse, or met Tanya, you are missing out. B y: M o rg an M c C o l l um
MANIAC MAGAZINE: How would you describe your personal style? Tanya Brooks: Layered, yet monochromatic. MM: Who is your favorite designer? TB: Donna Karan. She uses a monochromatic palate and has a classic style, but with a twist. I’ll mix a DK piece with a less expensive piece and create a perfect and affordable balanced look.
and I just took two laundry baskets to the consignment store. MM: What designer makes your favorite shoe? TB: Donald Pliner. I have so many different shoes that I love, but I really like the way those fit me.
MM: What does a fresh hair cut/color do for a woman? TB: When someone leaves the salon, they will have a twinkle in their eye and they are glowing. You can even notice a difference in their posture. They stand taller and more confident, ready to take on the world.
MM: What are a few key pieces in your wardrobe? TB: In the fall or winter I wear a lot of tights or leggings, over the knee boots (I have three pairs), and chunky sweaters. In the Spring or Summer I like soft linens that breathe and am usually more relaxed or casual. Our environment lends to creativity so I don’t want to take away from that with stuffy attire.
MM: If you lost all of your makeup and could only have one item, what would it be? TB: I feel naked without lipstick. I love bright colors from Urban Decay.
MM: When you are looking and feeling your best what are you wearing? TB: A body-sculpting, tight dress (on the shorter side) with high heels, sophisticated jewelry, and maybe some layered bangle bracelets.
MM: With an endless budget, what would your wardrobe consist of? TB: All Donna Karan, Everything. And lots of diamonds. What girl doesn’t want diamonds?
MM: Who is your biggest fashion icon? TB: Sarah Jessica Parker. She’s got the body of a goddess and no matter what she wears she looks flawless.
MM: Tell us, what is the future for Whitehouse Salon? TB: We are doing semi-annual fashion photo shoots. We feature the hottest trends and post them on the website. (www.whitehousesalon. com) We feature new and chic makeup and try to stay ahead of the game as far as fashion goes. I like to stay one step ahead.
MM: What do you consider to be the biggest fashion faux pas? TB: Gaudiness. Overdoing something. MM: What crucial piece of fashion advice can you lend our readers? TB: Keep it simple, Don’t over do it. Less is more. MM: What fashion items do you splurge on? TB: Shoes and boots. I have all types of shoessome might consider it a shoe obsession. Without exaggerating, I have 40 or 50 pairs 52
MM: As our readers know, you own one of the hippest salons in the ‘Burgh. What trends are we seeing in hair right now? TB: Bangs are big. Colors that we’d been seeing that were a bit harsh or striped are becoming blended. The new short pixie cut with a longer exaggerated bang is huge. A lot of movie stars have done this like Pamela Anderson and Jennifer Lawrence.
MM: Are you a bargain shopper? TB: Not really, but sometimes. I like to consign my old clothes at the NCJW in Squirrel Hill. I like a website called myperfectsale.com. You get designer clothes 40%-60% off.
Whether you’re stopping in for the new, softer ombre, balayage highlights, or just a trim, do yourself (and your hair) a favor and check out Whitehouse Salon. Don’t forget to tell Tanya that Maniac sent you.
SPR IN G I S FO R CH A N GE CALL TODAY TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT 412.681.8111 / 731 Filbert St., Shadyside
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