Style That Motivates: Austin’s Carla McDonald

March 29, 2023
1 min read
Carla McDonald

Carla McDonald has an inimitable style for miles. Recently, her pal Lance Avery Morgan caught up with this busy entrepreneur, mom, and wife to learn about how her ultra-chic style happens and what she is loving these days.

Carla McDonald

My style icon is…Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. She was so effortlessly chic and elegant.

Jacqueline Kennedy, 1961

My personal style signifier is…A pair of large black sunglasses.

Classic movie actress’ style I most identify with is…Ava Gardener, because she loved glamour and the color cobalt blue, and Katherine Hepburn, because she never met a black turtleneck she didn’t love.

Ava Gardner, 1954. United Artists publicity still for The Barefoot Contessa

Vintage film I feel has a very fashionable point of view is…Any film that features the work of costume designer Edith Head. A few of my favorites are To Catch a Thief, All About Eve, Roman Holiday, and Vertigo.

Grace Kelly and Cary Grant. To Catch A Thief publicity still, MGM, 1955

Classic designer I wish was still designing today is…Christian Dior, because he was so innovative, loved the female form, and revolutionized fashion with his New Look. Also, Hubert de Givenchy, because his designs were pure elegance in a way that is seldom seen today.

Hubert Givenchy, 1950s

Best career advice I’ve received is…Care about your job like you own the business. Interestingly, I think that advice helped to mold me into an entrepreneur.

How I made my first dollar was…Selling Avon at the age of 12.

Vintage Avon products

Three qualities that got me where I am today are…Hard work, optimism, and perseverance.

Book that left a lasting impression on me wasThe Diary of Anne Frank. I read it when I was seven years old. It was so powerful and made me fall in love with reading. Another is Crossing the Chasm by Geoffrey Moore. It is one of the best marketing books ever written and had a huge impact on my career. 

First album I bought happened to beLittle Jimmy Osmond in 1972. I was a little girl living in London then, and his song Long Haired Lover from Liverpool was #1. I was smitten.

My favorite street to shop on beyond the U.S. is…The Triangle d’Or in Paris and Bond Street in London.

Bond Street, London

What woman should try in her lifetime is...Putting herself first without feeling guilty.

Things I am exceptionally good at that most might not know would beWords with Friends, Candy Crush, and impersonating Cher.

Cher wearing Bob Mackie, 1970s

The beauty essential you’d have to pry out of my cold dry hands is…Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1.

My perfect day would begin by…drinking a cup of PG Tips tea and embracing my husband, daughters, and dogs.

My perfect day would end with…a goodnight kiss from my husband, Jack and my NodPod sleep mask over my eyes.

Lance Avery Morgan

Sixth-generation Texan and Curated Texan Co-founder Lance Avery Morgan, is a media executive and co-founder of Brilliant, The Society Diaries, and Society Texas magazines (and as an editor for many more), has helmed hundreds of cover stories, photo shoots, and led numerous creative, editorial, and publishing teams to success. Starting his career in media in Los Angeles, he set the stage for creating many hours of television programming, representing some of the world’s brightest stars for PR, and honed his craft of connecting the social dots at a high level.
He has also hosted and sponsored hundreds of philanthropic events throughout his career. Morgan is also the founder of Texas Luxury Consultants, a consulting firm created to liaise five-star brands with the five-star Texan. A recognized style authority and frequent emcee, Morgan has been honored as a DIFFA Style Ambassador, an Austin American-Statesman Glossy 8 recipient, and a Lone Star StyleSetter, among others. (Portrait photography by Romy Suskin)

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