Chic New York Designer Reveals All on Hall Passes, Secret Skills and Happy Places as Dallas Beckons

When thinking of Molly Moorkamp (the New York-based designer that has put an updated spin on Upper East Side dressing) the following comes to mind: the playfulness of Gidget; the élan of C.Z. Guest; and the whole entire vibe embodied by Grace Kelly as Tracy Lord in High Society.

This goes not just for Moorkamp as a person (she’s about as chic as they come), but also applies to her line of preppy-glam dresses and separates in ultra-feminine prints and silhouettes.

Moorkamp is a graduate of New York’s prestigious Fashion Institute of Technology and learned the fashion biz working at classic American fashion houses Oscar de la Renta and Ralph Lauren. Last year, she took her business mainstream — expanding from custom pieces for a high-profile clientele to a full-fledged ready-to-wear collection available on her website.

Since launching, she’s roped in a rather devoted list of fans in Texas — no doubt for her line’s perfect balance of the traditional and the modern, an equation that has long resonated with a southern clientele.

This week, Moorkamp is in Dallas, taking her latest collection on the road for a trunk show at interior designer Amy Berry’s Oak Lawn Avenue boutique on Thursday, September 26, and Friday, September 27. There will be holiday ready-to-wear goodies ripe for the picking, meaning lots of festive glamour.

“Our new holiday collection contains the core elements of MM,” Moorkamp tells PaperCity, “hand-painted prints, cocktail frocks, and a few indulgences. Think moody botanicals, more sleeves, and a good dose of holiday sparkle.”

Ahead of her jaunt to Dallas, we gave Moorkamp the PaperCity preferential treatment questionaire.

Tell me about your work: Feminine, confident, made in the US of A

Where are you right at this moment: My desk on the Upper East Side of Manhattan

The zip code you call home: 10065

Style of residence: Nancy Meyers meets Babe Paley

Pajamas or in the buff: Nightgowns from Kassatly’s Palm Beach

Early or late riser: Early bird gets the worm. Ask my vendors. . .

Coffee or tea: Sant Ambroeus skim cappuccino

Morning beauty: Ponds Cold Cream

Evening beauty: A killer updo from my favorite salon (top secret) and I always do my own make up. Always a swipe of concealer under my YSL lipstick because there are no fabulous options for a nude frost these days.

Go-to daytime ensemble: I love wearing a printed Dodie shift everyday. I can wear it with a sweater, jewels, heels, flats, or let it shine on its own.

Ideal evening look: Color! Quiet accessories and definitely no smocking.

One thing you always keep in mind when getting dressed: It’s your full time job to be yourself.

Your happy place destination: Two Mile Hollow Beach in East Hampton off season; Harbor Island any time.

The hotel you call your home-away-from home: Outside of our trunk-show travel, I’m a total homebody. I suppose if you rang me at The Carlyle I’d pick up.

Travel bag: Away “The Large” has been with me through many trunk shows. . .

Last person you cocktail’ed with and what was your poison: My dear friend Julia Amory. Dirty Tanqueray martini always.

Dream concert: Lesley Gore x Kim Petras

Store where you wish you had an unlimited charge account: Emilio Pucci if I spent half the year on a yacht instead of the Garment District. Loro Piana if I ever bothered to ski. And The Row if I became a minimalist. For now mollymoorkamp.com will suffice.

Items currently on your coffee table: Harlequin hydrangeas and a lettuce ware bowl filled with pretzels.

Last movie you saw: I prefer watching movies from home: recents include Gosford Park and The Parent Trap (who doesn’t want to be Elizabeth James?).

Hall pass for a dalliance: Gianni Agnelli. But no need for a hall pass when you’re single!

Who would play you in the movie of your life: Elizabeth Taylor in a blonde wig.

If you weren’t in your current profession what would you be doing: Trademark Lawyer for Chanel would be fun.

Secret skill: I make perfect popcorn.

Guilty pleasure: In my opinion, living without guilt is like natural Botox — but a hot dog with mustard would fit the bill. . .