As director of strategic initiatives at the NC Museum of Art, Marjorie Hodges wears many hats, from advocacy to advising to engaging the community. Hodges moved to Raleigh from Park City, Utah in 2001 and has worked as director of CAM Raleigh and as a partner at Flanders Gallery. “There are so many talented people living in our city and a distinct cultural scene here,” says Hodges, herself a classically trained pianist. “The arts bring people together to highlight the issues of our time, as well as to support each other.”
Hometown: Monticello, a small town in northern Florida known for its gorgeous plantations. My family still owns a ranch and raises Angus cattle there.
Your neighborhood: I recently moved to the Hudson in downtown Raleigh.
What you love most about Raleigh: The people. I’m astounded by the close-knit community and hospitality throughout the Triangle. The diverse population growth is making our city more interesting.
Currently reading: I just finished “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert, a terrific book about living a creative life without fear. Next will be “On Earth We Are Briefly Gorgeous” by Ocean Vuong.
Currently listening to: Dorothy Ashby, Chet Baker and Angel Olsen. My daughter is constantly turning me on to new and old music. Also, the Avett Brothers, Amos Lee and Al Strong. And Tift Merritt’s songs warm my soul.
Style mantra: Elegant and artful. Most of my wardrobe is navy, white, denim and black. I almost always add a statement coat, interesting pair of shoes or floral blouse. My tastes are becoming a bit more feminine. I love a dramatic ball gown for evening and a comfortable navy slip dress for day.
Style influencers: I’ve always admired Grace Kelly’s style: elegant and glamorous. Christy Turlington has effortless, elegant style. Also, Charlize Theron. She is a bit more daring.
Favorite clothing labels: My friend Wes Gordon now designs for Carolina Herrera. I love Balenciaga, Rosie Assoulin and Dries Van Noten for special occasions. Also, Ganni, Khaite and the Row. I’m editing my closet right now. Less is more. Quality over quantity.
Flats vs. Heels: Heels whenever possible, I love a glamorous pump. But, let’s face it, they’re not practical for wearing all day. I find myself living in boots and wedges. I have a collection of boots—booties, cowboy boots, feminine boots and knee-high boots.
Local go-to shop: Vermillion. I also enjoy the French influence at Vert and Vogue. Vintage shopping at House of Landor is fun for special events. Raleigh Denim for jeans and leather goods.
Last great lunch: Bida Manda. I’m obsessed with the Herb Salad there.
Go-to piece: A bubble dress by Zero Maria Cornejo, alone as a dress or with sleek leggings. I have one in black and tan.
Favorite bling: Actually, I don’t wear a lot of jewelry. When I do, it’s usually a statement piece by Lizzie Fortunato, Peppertrain or The Woods.
Travel dreaming: The Galapagos Islands.
How you stay fit: Walking [local trails and greenways] and occasional yoga or pilates.
Favorite drink: It’s hard to beat a terrific white burgundy. I start every day with a strong cup of coffee.
Style secret: Good posture. I had many years of ballet which helped me. My mother told me every single day, “Marjorie, stand up straight and hold your shoulders back.”
Moments in your life that inspired your style: Most definitely, my involvement with artists. Artists have great personal style. Spending so much time in New York has helped make black my “go-to” color.
Alysha Totemwongs has spent the last decade as a sales and marketing executive for aesthetic and medical devices. In her job, she supports innovative technologies and believes in helping patients increase their confidence and self-esteem through plastic and reconstructive surgery. A UC Irvine and Duke alum, Totemwongs is passionate about supporting the greater community of women, entrepreneurs, arts and local businesses. Catch her at Midtown Yoga, FlowCorps or FlyWheel, or spending time with her fiancé, Tyler, and goldendoodle puppy, Leo.
Hometown: I grew up in a small town in Orange County, California. Fullerton to be exact. Five minutes to Disneyland, 15 minutes to the beach and always sunny.
Your neighborhood: I’ve always dreamt of renovating a ranch and was able to do so a few years ago in Longview Gardens. I love the feeling of being close to downtown—I’m about 1 mile away—but not in the hustle and bustle of everything.
What you love most about Raleigh: The people. It’s a
vibrant and growing community of responsible businesses, new restaurants and arts, woven together by people who are supportive and offer respect for culture and diverse ideas. Lucky to be a part of this unique social fabric that is Raleigh.
Currently reading: Oh, I love books! Currently I’m reading “Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup” by John Carreyrou and “The Source of Self Regard: Selected Essays, Speeches and Meditations” by Toni Morrison.
Currently listening to: The goop Podcast, Oprah’s SuperSoul Conversations, How I Built This with Guy Raz.
Style mantra: Stay true to you. Your personal style is just that: personal. It’s your identity and a form of self-expression, so it’s important to maintain that sense of self. Get inspired from influencers and the like but remember to be yourself. Your own interpretation is what makes “personal” style real, relatable, but also admirable.
Favorite clothing labels: I love mixing high-low—Balenciaga, Ganni, Shrimps, Ulla Johnson, Reformation, Zara, Target. I’m in athleisure a good bit so shout-out to Lululemon for getting me through my days.
Flats vs. Heels: Flats Heels. I’m a fan of this. Also, I’ve been living in mules and sneakers so you could say I’m heavy leaning flats.
Local go-to shop: Father and Son for vintage, Edge of Urge for quirky and eclectic finds and Vermillion for when I’m feeling fancy. I love supporting local businesses when I can.
Last great lunch: Happy + Hale.
Go-to piece: The white button down. In cotton or silk, tailored or relaxed, balloon sleeved or boxed, etc. My favorite one is the old Versace I stole from my dad. It’s such a versatile and classic piece to dress up or down. Invest in a good one
(or seven).
Favorite bling: My engagement ring from my dearest betrothed.
Travel dream: Japan. It’s a country steeped in tradition and culture, not to mention the Harajuku fashion scene is next-level. I’ve visited before but it would be such a different experience today.
How you stay fit: Yoga, pilates, running, cycling and boxing. I travel a lot for work so I’ll try to get in, at minimum, any variation of those three during the week.
Favorite drink: An Old Fashioned
Style secret: Opposites attract. I love mixing masculine and feminine pieces—a vintage tee and a ruffle skirt, a silk top and boxy blazer, a slip dress and combat boots. You’d be surprised what you can find in the men’s section! I think I’m more daring now and not afraid to mix expensive with street wear and play around with styles and gender more than ever before.
Moment/event in your life that inspired your style: My parents made me work for every dollar growing up. I remember begging my dad to take me thrifting on Melrose Avenue in LA to stretch my allowance. It forced me to be more creative with less and not give in to trends. I’d say that my personal style evolution has been gradual. It’s the sum of where I’ve lived, where I’ve traveled, what I’ve seen and who I spend time with—it’s layered, just like me.
Charman Driver is one of the organizers behind the “End Racism Now” mural painted in giant yellow letters along West Martin Street in front of downtown Raleigh’s Contemporary Art Museum earlier this moth. A few days later, on Juneteenth, Raleigh’s Confederate statues, monuments to white supremacy, began to come down. Learn more about this Raleigh resident, former CAM chair and all-around inspirational person from our interview with Driver last year.
For nearly 20 years, Charman Driver has motivated and encouraged women to enhance their quality of life through healthy, healing behaviors, as a pilates and women-only boot camp instructor, Duke-certified integrative health coach, community builder, arts advocate, writer and business owner. Her latest venture, BY: NEST, is a wellness initiative and lifestyle blog committed to deepening the literacy of self-maintenance for the woman who aspires to be true to herself and live with social purpose. BY: NEST is built on the belief that when you feel good, you then do good. Driver is the past chair of CAM Raleigh’s board of directors and serves on the board of the Dorothea Dix Park Conservancy. She and her husband, Frank, have a daughter, Delaney, 11, and a 3-year-old
Portuguese water dog named Mochi.
Hometown: Jacksonville, North Carolina in a military family.
Your neighborhood: Cameron Village, for almost twenty years.
Currently reading: Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through The Seven Transitions Into Adulthood by Lisa Damour, Ph.D and Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong by James W. Loewen.
Currently listening to: NPR’s CodeSwitch podcast.
Style mantra: “Less is more.” I’m a no-nonsense woman and I don’t have a lot of time to spend fussing over clothes and searching through my closet for something to wear—I keep it simple. I love effortless minimalism and I like lines that are modern, without being too trendy. For special events, I like to play with my look a bit more and try get outside of my comfort zone by adding some texture and flow or by getting a little edgier. I also love super-high heels (only on occasion) and color.
Style influencers: I’m inspired by people whose values align with mine when it comes to fashion: being committed to sustainability, ethical and purpose-driven. I adore the effortless style of Nadira Hurley, owner of Vert & Vogue in Durham. The clothing store is a B-corp, committed to using business as a force for good. Brooklyn-based Aurora James, founder of the Brother Vellies brand, has gorgeous taste. Her shoes and bags are designed in Brooklyn and handcrafted across Africa. I’m totally infatuated with the super-dope style of Saudi-American businesswoman Princess Deena Aljuhani Abdulaziz. And my other favorite is Gabrielle Jewelry by the super talented Raleigh-born, San Francisco-based Gabe Bratton Hall.
Favorite clothing labels: Rachel Comey, Ganni, Raquel Allegra, Mi Jong Lee, Raleigh Denim. Shoes by Coclico, Brother Vellies and Veja.
Flats vs. Heels: Flats. I live in sneakers.
Local go-to shop: Vert & Vogue. I also love the tiny, beautifully curated corner in the Umstead Hotel’s shop. I love shopping for vintage at House of Landor; owner Mary Beth Paulson curates the most gorgeous collection of unique clothing. I love the idea that something old is new again and it reduces my carbon footprint!
Last great lunch: Heron’s at the Umstead Hotel.
Go-to piece: My navy Rachel Comey jumpsuit is minimal, comfortable and sophisticated all at once.
Favorite bling: My husband gifted me a beautiful orange sapphire and diamond ring designed by my friend and jeweler extraordinaire, An Nguyen, at Atelier N in Durham.
Travel dream: Last summer I travelled to Southeast Asia.I’d like to go back pronto!
How you stay fit: I’m always moving! For exercise: running, pilates, yoga, and I teach a women’s boot camp class.
Favorite drink: A Hemingway Daquiri
Style secret: It’s no secret and anyone can have it. I work hard to live a healthy, happy and fit lifestyle. Fashion plays a big part in that overall feeling of well-being for me. When I feel good about myself and about my body, beautiful clothes look and feel better on me. In my opinion, they go hand in hand. Feel good, look good.
Moment/event in your life that inspired your style: We didn’t have a lot of money growing up, so there weren’t expensive clothes, but my mother took great care of what we had and we looked like a million bucks. She loves fashion and always made sure we looked put together. She did more with less.
