Few things hold such intrigue with women as beauty and shoes. This reality, Lanell Fagan knows well. The celebrated make-up artist, whose appointment book reads like a who's who list of celebrities and society's elite, found a way to pair female footwear fetish with her renowned aesthetic flair. The result: Lady Lanell's, Swarovski crystal-encrusted thong sandals causing a frenzy among hi-end stores, name-dropping publicists, and frantic personal assistants cell phoning in orders.

For Fagan, the shoe business couples well with show business and a dream born early in life. Originally from Toledo, Ohio, Lanell was raised in Boca Raton, Florida, attending school at Pope John Paul and FAU. But long before college, this blonde bombshell knew her calling. 'When I was eight, I started experimenting out of a shoebox full of my mom's old make-up,' she says. 'Until I was nineteen and made it a career, girlfriends would come over, and I'd do their faces.'

Practice made perfect. Her talent landed positions as Aveda's Master Trainer and Donald Trump's make-up artist-of-choice, countless offers for exclusive contracts, and a deal with CBS and Dan Rather to cover South Florida for 60 Minutes. Working with stars like Mary Tyler Moore, Whitney Houston, Ivana Trump, Vanessa Williams, Melania Knauss, Kate Moss and Heidi Klum earned her the reputation, 'Make-up's It Girl,' and before long, every event-bound society maven was clamoring for a pre-ball appointment with Lanell.

Her exposure to society life isn't limited to Fagan's back-stage make-up magic. She also attends extravagant Palm Beach soirees with her love and husband of nine years, Greg, a civil engineer and land developer. Active philanthropists, the two see contribution as essential to joyful living. 'If you take and take and take, you wake up with nothing. You have to give back,' says Lanell. 'Money is terrific, but without substance in your life, success is meaningless.' Her genuine nature endears loyal clients, who now call for more than a place in her date book. 'Shoes, shoes, shoes! Everybody wants these shoes,' she says, amazed at the buzz about her Lady Lanell's. 'Everywhere I go, people stop to ask where I got them. A friend wore them to the grocery store, and the next day, I got five calls.'

The craze launched with her first prototype. 'I brought it to a few stores and in a week had 150 orders.' A year later, she maintains over 360 accounts worldwide and global distibution with Ritz-Carlton, including the prestigious Dana Point Resort in Laguna Niguel, Bacara, Boutiques on Rodeo Drive, Eye of the Needle on Worth Avenue, Nantucket & Boston, Golden Door Spas, The Sports club of LA and SAKS 5th Avenue all boast the prized Lady Lanell's. Sara Jessica Parker, Vera Wang, and a few other Hollywood actress-wives have pairs, and everybody wants them. But the hand set Swarovski crystal, (400 per pair) thwart mass marketing and keep the labor-intensive Lady Lanell's exclusive.

Instant sweeping success, two careers, and her priorities as a wife and partner involve a cooperative effort, insists Lanell. 'The shoes are really a family affair,' she says, 'I couldn't do any of it without love and support from my husband and the hard work of my best friend, Jill Spina.' Quick to credit teamwork for Lady Lanell's success, splitting her attentions still creates impossibly hectic days. 'I get up in the morning, try to work out and get 20 calls about the shoes.' Lunch? 'No time. It's shoes, shoes, shoes, then four or five make-up appointments before I rush home, throw on a gown and head out with Greg to a black-tie event.'

Great success in both professions affords the option to quit one, but Lanell insists that won't happen. 'People depend on me. All my life, I wanted to be important to somebody. Now, I've achieved my dreams and goals. I lie in bed at night and say to myself that it's surreal -- such a blessing.' And with a broad smile she adds, 'The sheer pleasure of making a difference keeps me going. People know I care.'

Lesley Marlo
©2001, L. Marlo