Tinsley Goes Trump

To some New Yorkers, Tinsley Mortimer might seem to have it all: a head of bright blond hair, an aristocratic husband who works at a hedge fund, and thousands of pictures on the pages of society publications like New York Social Diary. But her latest accessory was never thought mandatory for a socialite: Tinsley Mortimer has a job.

Four months ago, Mortimer was approached by B+B Investment Group, a New York based real estate-focused private equity fund that was founded in December. "They had read about me and knew about me," recalls Mortimer in a phone interview. "We had several meetings and we really got along. I thought, 'what an amazing opportunity.'"

In her new role as lifestyle director to the firm, a part-time gig, Mortimer will advise on the layout, design, amenities, and decor of real estate development projects, starting with a boutique hotel and condominium project on 57th Street in Manhattan.

She'll chime in on marketing strategy, and even star in an ad campaign for the property. She plans to collaborate with an interior designer on the look of the apartments, a task for which she cites her degree in Art History from Columbia University as qualification.

B+B will also try to leverage the extensive network of contacts that Mortimer and her husband, Topper, possess: she will host B+B events with "friends and potential investors."

"The idea is to take Tinsley's life from fashion and to bring this to the real estate world," says Ilan Bracha, president and founder of B+B Investment Group. "We are thinking big."

To be fair, this isn't Mortimer's first foray into the working world. The 32-year-old socialite designs handbags for the Japanese label Samantha Thavasa, serves as a ''beauty ambassador'' for Dior, and last fall debuted a clothing collection, Riccimie by Tinsley Mortimer, which is sold in Japan. She has also served as a guest Fashion Week blogger for Glamour magazine, and was rumored to be in discussions for a reality TV show, speculation she now dismisses as "gossip."

Mortimer says she's already officially started working, although her office, on the 19th floor of the Trump Tower where B+B is headquartered, is still being renovated. "They hired me for me: my style, and my taste," she says. But will being a socialite get any harder during the coming economic recession? We asked Mortimer if she planned to cut back on her lavish lifestyle in preparation.

"I think it happens naturally. I'm definitely going to think about it," she responded. Well, why cut back now? After all, she has a job.

by Sophia Banay

Caption: Tinsley Mortimer and her new boss, Ilan Bracha, of B+B Investment Group.