Yvette Quiazon, Global Ethnographer, founder whY-Q Inc., a global insights, marketing and brand consultancy

Hail from/Live now:
"I was born and raised in Vancouver, Canada, and I have lived in downtown NYC since the mid-'90s. We have a second home and office in Venice, CA, but I travel and am on the road in hotels about five months of the year."

On an ordinary day, describe your style:
“Teens to CEO. A few weeks back I was in Dallas during an ice storm in the morning, and I had to interview an affluent woman in her palatial home for a luxury watch brand. In the afternoon I interviewed male high school varsity soccer players about shopping in sportswear stores. What I wear is part of my job. I tend to gravitate toward Alexander Wang, Rick Owens, Zero + Maria Cornejo, and Margiela. These designers transcend age and culture. I have a huge vintage collection that I rotate around when I get the energy to shop my archives. I still have perfectly worn '80s 501s that were gifts from guy friends in high school."

On a special occasion, describe your style:
"Since I never spend a ton of time getting ready, I like to pull on something simple that's high impact but still unassuming. Most of my dresses tend to be timeless styles from Marc Jacobs, Pucci, Zac Posen, or vintage. I have a really special vintage Geoffrey Beene gown I bought from Resurrection that I cherish."

How has your style changed over the years?
"Since I can remember, I have always had a stable of good black basics in my wardrobe. I think of it as my canvas, and frankly it's just a wise choice for my lifestyle. At this age, I have cycled through trends sometimes several times over, which is fun especially if I kept items from the first round. I still have a studded black belt from high school that is currently in rotation."

Was turning 40 scary, thrilling, both, and why?
"110% thrilling because I realized I never let go of anything I loved since I was a 17-year-old teenager, like fashion magazines, staying up all night, laughing, martinis, traveling, running, and learning. I have completely rejected the idea that I need to ever give up my youthful mindset. I am also probably the longest continuous reader of Seventeen Magazine. If I had to choose to read Vogue OR Teen Vogue, it would be Teen Vogue without hesitation."