Douglas Elliman CMO Camilla Rustambekova Papale is a fashion-savvy former model who understands your closet situation.
Photographed by Vital Agibalow at Bergdorf Goodman Shoe Floor
What do you do at Elliman, exactly? I’m responsible for all aspects of the iconic real estate brand and the firm’s marketing operations. I am also responsible for publishing our magazine, ELLIMAN, which explores real estate in the context of lifestyle.
Background, please! I was born in Azerbaijan and moved to New York City 12 years ago. For nine of those years I’ve worked in real estate.
You were a model once, right? A long time ago when I was very young—mostly
runway in Russia. It wasn’t for me. I’m more of the person who’s behind the scenes.
Have you been to the Tents? Yes, my first fashion show was Zac Posen’s Fall
2009. It was magical. I was very lucky to sit in the second row, right behind two of my idols, Carine Roitfeld and André Leon Talley.
So, what’s trending in New York real estate? I’ve seen a lot of trophy properties move quickly this past year, and I think that’s going to continue, along with the huge wave of foreign buyers investing in New York properties. We’re seeing a lot of clients
from Europe, Asia, and Russia.
What do your fashion clients typically ask for? The fashion set gravitates toward open, lofty spaces with extra-high ceilings and lots of natural light. Because they tend to travel a lot, many of my clients are looking for turnkey spaces that don’t require
much customization. An abundance of closet space is almost always a serious factor.
What’s the strangest amenity you’ve seen offered? I once previewed a space that had a fully equipped nightclub in the basement. Seemed a bit superfluous in Manhattan.
What does the chic set spend the most on? Wellness- and spa-inspired properties are very in vogue right now.
What should people be asking for? Anonymity is hard to achieve when you’re a big
name in the fashion industry. In order for someone to feel completely at home, and maintain a level of privacy, a New York City property with a private elevator entrance or an underground parking space is worth considering.
What brands do you tend to gravitate toward? Victoria Beckham fits fantastically. I also love Prabal Gurung, Alexander Wang, Phillip Lim, Lanvin, and Dolce & Gabbana.
Where do you usually shop in the city? Bergdorf’s. Our offices are right across the street, so I’m there two or three times a month. You don’t need to go anywhere else! And I’m a real shoe fanatic. Valentino, Jimmy Choo, Louboutin, Giuseppe Zanotti, the whole gamut...
How many pairs do you own? More than 150, easily. My collection’s outgrown the
capacity of my closets. My husband, Tony [Papale], suggested I get rid of some to make room for new ones, but men rarely understand the emotional connection we have with shoes. Every pair is staying.
What does Tony do? He’s in software development. He works with Fashion GPS. You two must be busy!
What’s in your fridge right now? Not much. Tony and I are more takeout people.