A look at Faith Hope Consolo

NAME: Faith Hope Consolo

JOB TITLE: Chairman, the Retail Group of Douglas Elliman Real Estate

PRIOR EXPERIENCE: Before joining Elliman in 2005, Consolo served as vice chairman of Garrick-Aug Worldwide, founding the firm’s international division in 1987 after opening the firm’s Paris office. Consolo had two other careers. After college, she ran a modeling agency titled Supergirls. The cosmetic giant Max Factor became a major investor. Then she started an interior design business in Beverly Hills, California.

EDUCATION: Graduated from New York University with a degree in art history. Earned an MFA degree from Parsons School of Design in Paris.

GROWING UP: Consolo was born in Shaker Heights, Ohio. Her father died when she was 2, her mother when she was 12. Her grandmother raised her in Connecticut and New York City.

FIRST RETAIL CLIENT: Godiva.

ON LUXURY CLOTHING: “It’s a challenging market. It’s either got to blare the brand like Chanel or it has to be something so unique.”