Gennifer Birnbach How would you describe your style as a teenager?
Jeans and T’s or halter tops and then adding a sweater for the winter. Always jeans though, I loved them although not all brands loved me as I had bigger thighs and a smaller waist and the typical boy’s jeans just didn’t fit. ! But I also had a wild streak. I went shopping with my father for a winter coat and I ended up with this gorgeous purple long (to my ankles) coat which I loved wearing – no one else had anything like it!! I sailed all summer and was in bathing suits and shorts – jean shorts of course!
How would you describe your style now?
Very eclectic! I love different. I love clothes that flow well and have movement, patterns or different colors.
I have big baggie pants in red, orange, teal, light green, etc and I have many punto pants in more subdued colors and patterns. I have had many people come up to me in the grocery store and comment “I love your pants.” It’s funny because when that started happening, I told my husband and he rolled his eyes with a “ya sure” look. But when we went out together and he saw it happening, he was amazed. It took him a while to get used to my style.
When I wear the Alembika gold and black pants someone ALWAYS makes a comment on them.
I have multiple types of jeans but always long ones – if they are ankle or higher they make me look shorter.
I adore my long dresses that are flowy and comfortable and look forward to spring, summer and fall so I can spend time in them.
And when I am at home – leggings and oversized sweatshirts!
What is one piece of clothing that you cannot live without?
That’s really hard but I am going to say my white tank tops. I must have 8 of them. They are not tight, but have room and a lovely scoop neck. They go with all my pants, and they go under sweaters in the winter. They go with my punto pants, my baggy pants, my jeans, skirts, under my sleeveless dresses – pretty well everything. They are just such a staple in my wardrobe.
What would you do if you had the whole day for yourself?
Well, I am retired so I almost always have the whole day to myself! I get up and exercise in my gym, have breakfast and read my online newspapers and I do that every day. What would I do the rest of the day if I didn’t have other obligations? If the weather is nice, I would enjoy going to our square in my town and sitting with friends to have an afternoon glass of wine/coffee/tea depending on the day. On a gloomy rainy type of day I would enjoy sitting in front of the fireplace reading a book, and then decide on dinner with my husband and watch him cook. I enjoy a pretty simple life now after a fabulous but busy career.
Who gave you the most valuable piece of advice and what was it?
I started my career teaching middle school science where I integrated as much technology as we could get our hands on. I had an amazing opportunity to leave the classroom to work with educators and governments around the world to help them improve teaching practices in their countries. I hesitated as it was in the middle of the school year but my team lead teacher Carol told me to go for it. She said I would regret it if I didn’t take advantage of opportunities that were sent my way. So I took that leap and had an amazing career where I met and worked with some of the most wonderful, passionate people around the world.
Thank you for being an #AlembikaWoman!
