True to our roots

Dubbed the “Tropical Tycoon” by
The New York Times Magazine, Nely Galán is the former head of Telemundo, and arguably the most successful Latina TV and movie producer in history.  She recently starred on NBC’s smash hit “The Apprentice:  Celebrity Edition,” where she raised money for her charity, Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence.

Galán also created and executive-produced the smash FOX reality series “The Swan,” and as its in-house life coach, wrote the bestselling companion book “The Swan Curriculum.” The Swan averaged 10 million viewers per episode, and is currently airing in more than 70 countries.
Few Latinas marry beauty and brains as well as Galán, who was named one of People en Espanol’s most beautiful people. Born in Cuba, raised in New Jersey, and now working in the image-conscious world of Hollywood, Galán knows how to balance a sexy Latina fashion sense with a serious American business sense.

We caught up with her in her via email, to ask her about fashion issues for Latinas in the workplace.

LP: You were born in Cuba. Talk a bit about the ideal “look” for Cuban women.
Galán: The ideal look for Cuban women is definitely sexy and conservative, meaning you show a little of “the goods,” but always leave some mystery.

LP: You moved from Cuba to New Jersey as a child. How did that change your sense of style, if at all?
Galán: New Jersey definitely brought a “cuchifrito” sensibility – a little Sopranos meets Latino tacky. It has taken me years to get over it, but I definitely still gravitate to leopard.

LP: When you first entered the workforce, how did you dress, and what was the reaction?
Galán: At first when I entered the workforce, I wore everything - all at the same time. All my jewelry, mini-skirts with patterned hose, and boots, topped by red lipstick. Thank God my first job was at SEVENTEEN magazine. They showed me the error of my ways immediately. I was definately like the assistant in THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA. I was told “Less is more”.

LP: Have you changed your approach to clothes at all over the years? If so, why? Or why not?
Galán: My approach now is very different than it used to be. Now I realize that I have to stand out, not my clothes. Where I used to like flashier clothes, now I move toward the simple, and the monochromatic. It’s a facet of age and experience that I don’t feel I have to announce myself physically so much anymore. It pays to finally be happy in your own skin. However, I have to confess some of my old sexy ways creep back up every once in a while. You can’t completely lose your basic style. My style now is Sexy/Classy.

LP: Why do you think Americans try to play down femininity in the workplace for women?
Galán: In the American workplace, femininity has been played down for two reasons – women still have a hard time being taken seriously in American culture, and when a woman looks like a woman, and feels like a woman, the sad tendency here is for other women to put her down. Number two – sexual harassment law suits and the fear of them have led to men wanting women to downplay their sexuality, as though it were all the woman’s fault. Men can be very threatened by women who own their sexuality. It’s different in Latin America in that women can look sexy at work, you can even flirt at work, and everyone knows that at the end of the day it’s harmless, it’s just the way we are. In America, it’s not like that. Women almost have to look and behave like men here to be taken seriously.

LP: What misunderstandings do you think mainstream Americans have with Latinas and our style?
Galán: If a Latina is sexy, many Americans make a conclusion about us that is simply not true. They might assume we’re not smart, or that we’re easy. They don’t understand that it’s just our culture to dress a certain way and that it does not mean anything else.

LP: Do you think that as our numbers increase in the United States that a Latina sensibility might become more acceptable in the workplace?
Galán: Yes. In the same way that African American style has become not only mainstream but cool - the same has been happening and will continue to happen for Latinas. You can see a loosening up of style on cable news, even, as women are allowed to have longer hair and sexier clothes. The last place it will reach, I think, is Washington.

LP: How important is appearance in business? Be honest.
Galán: Appearance is of the utmost importance in the workforce.
You look better, you do better!

LP: What advice might you give to Latinas hoping to get ahead in business about their wardrobe and overall appearance?
Galán: Latinas have to find their own visual voice and go for it – stand out – be unique! Don’t be afraid to stand out.

LP: When, if ever, is it okay to be sexy on the job?
Galán: Be sexy always, but only if you truly are sexy. Don’t manufacture it or force it. It has to be authentic! Every Latina should just strive to express her own personality and self in her style.