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PAMELA
FIORI
HEAVEN SPA INTERVIEW PAMELA FIORI, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF,
TOWN & COUNTRY Like success stories? Then you'll
love Pamela Fiori. Currently the editor in chief of
Town & Country magazine, she was born in circumstances
that weren't exactly silver spoon. Her parents ran a
small florist shop in New Jersey and she began her professional
life as a high school English teacher. A trip to Italy,
her family's homeland, gave her the urge to see more
of the world, to try something different. She took a
job as a fact checker at Holiday magazine, quickly rose
up the ranks, moved to a fledgling magazine being started
by American Express called Travel & Leisure, and in
short order became it's editor in chief. As a woman
in business, especially like publishing, where womens'
roles have been circumscribed, Fiori has realized that
appearances count. And she's been diligent in the affort
to take care of herself. Nothing extreme--but neither
does she take anything for granted. Here are some of
the ways that she has has incorporated a wellness mentality
into her life. How do you keep your skin looking so
smooth and clear?
I don't need a lot of pampering. A hot shower will revive
me just as well as a long soak in the tub. I do believe
in emolients. I tend to have dry skin, and living in
New York makes it worse. Lots of moisturizer, lots of
eye cream. I'm apt to try any new luxury treatment or
product, because I want to stay out from under the knife
as long as possible. I find that they work, especially
the alpha hydroxy acids. Estee Lauder's products are
particularly good. Is there any kind of exercise regime
that you follow to stay in shape?
I will never become an exercise fanatic. I stretch,
but not religiously. I like to swim in the summer, and
I like to exercise in the pool. When the weather is
bright, I like walking. But you'll never get me to take
a romantic walk in the rain. Try somebody else. And
as far as those invigorating country walks go--I'm not
your girl. A fast-paced walk in the city on streets
where there is something to see is fascinating. You
can live in the same place and go to the same office
for years and never pass the same place twice. That's
why I love living here. I really like to walk in cities
wherever I am. Have you tried any spa treatments recently
that you felt worked well for you?
I just did aromatherapy at The Breakers spa. It was
a wonderful feeling. It was quiet, a pretty oasis in
an otherwise busy resort. Done very handsomely in a
Greek revival style. It's very popular--you have to
book in advance. And the real draw are the massages
by the sea. Are massage and facials part of your care
routine?
I will do massage sometimes. I love aromatherapy and
regular Swedish massage. The whole atmosphere of music,
combined with touch and aroma is terrrific. But I'm
not needy when it comes to things like that. But I know
that there are people who psycically and physically
need a massage. The equivalent of that for me is a facial.
To me, it's like drinking from the fountain of youth.
I feel cleansed inside and out, my head has been cleared.
It's wonderful, calming. I also like getting a manicure.
I find that completely relaxing. With the stress of
running a big national magazine and keeping up with
the social scene that goes with it, how do you find
calm?
I try to get myself in a Zenlike mode. I do that by
deep breathing, a technique that I learned at the Canyon
Ranch Spa. It's a way to de-stress instantly. And also,
by the way, to get rid of a hangover headache. Just
breathe in deeply and slowly for 10 seconds. Hold for
10, then exhale for 10 seconds. I also have two cats,
and if there's anyting that can bring down your blood
pressure, it's having animals, particularly cats, because
they themselves are Zenlike. But it's important not
to let life get to you. It's easy in a place like New
York to get annoyed at cab drivers, frustration at all
of the obstacles you face here. Entertaining is a part
of an editor's job. How do you deal with food and diet?
I try to eat the right foods. I dont' ever snack. And
I don't like junk food. I can't even remember ever having
had popcorn at the movies. I don't have potato chips,
I don't like fried foods. I know it's not good for me--and
the tastes don't appeal to me. I really like fresh vegetables,
grilled foods. And my downfall, ice cream. If I don't
have a lunch to go to, I'll have orange juice, tea or
coffee, may be half an English muffin or maybe a little
Special K or oat cereal with 2% milk. If I'm hainvg
luch, it's just tea or coffee and OJ. My favorite lunch
is at my desk, usually something from a salad bar. At
night is when I eat, and I know that goes against what
all the experts say. But for me, it's a reward at the
end of the day. Although I'm Italian and the tradition
is there, I don't have wine at lunch, but I do like
it at dinner. And I love pasta. It's my soul food, it's
my family my background. Like fish. And I love desserts.
I like chocolate--a lot. And I love roast chicken, but
it has to be a good clean chicken. I like salad with
high-quality olive oil and lemon or vinegar--and fabulous
cheeses. And red wine. Maybe vanilla ice cream or maybe
a hot fudge sundae once in while. I like to eat, I like
to cook, I like to have people around having a good
time. I don't hold back. But when I travel, I insist
on having a scale in my hotel bathroom. It's unthinkable
to be in Paris, say, and lose sight of your weight.
That's my insecurity. Why do you think people are so
interested in spas and in taking better care of themselves?
I noticed in Central Park last weekend that there are
a lot of people giving back massages right there on
portable chairs. Obviously, there's a crying need to
be touched, not ina purient way but I think the laying
on of capable hands, trained hands is something that
we may need more than ever in this society. It's not
being pampered--it's being cared for. Having someone
focused on you. If it's done right, you can zone out
and resolve tensions. What's interesting about spas
is the whole move to holistic spas. It's less about
pampering than it is about the whole, mind/body/soul
connection. It's not just about having someone slather
oil all over your body. You've got to be involved and
give something back. It's not just lying down. Because
of the streess in society it's a wya for people to slow
down and gain some perspective. It's also a way for
people to invigorate themselves. Type A people especially
need to find ways not to carry the burden of the world
on their shoulders and not to think that everything
is of equal importance. We did a big section on depression
recently (Town & Country, May 2000) and going to a spa
can't eradicate it, but it certainly can help alleviate
it. The very act of being in a place away from the stress
points gives people a chance to sort things out. I think
that's why many people go to spas--to repair their lives
after some tragedy. It's a way to help set things right.
It's very much in the right direction. Years ago, people
would have looked for other less healthful ways to deal
with problems.
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