WHIRLED Style /STYLE FILE

Changing Chanels

Dr. Lisa Cibik puts her own touch on her Chanel collection.

By Katie Mavrich | Photography by Megan Wylie

Dr. Lisa Cibik photographed in
her Washington home.

Coco Chanel said, “A style does not go out of style as long as it adapts itself to its period.” Dr. Lisa Cibik, a board-certified eye surgeon and physician with Associates in Ophthalmology, lives by this sentiment. Inside an upstairs room of her beautiful Washington home, is a vast collection of Chanel — new and vintage — clothing, shoes, and accessories all on display. The pieces have stood the test of time, some with alterations to keep up with current trends. “Some of the clothing in there was long and altered to be shorter; pieces have been adapted as the years have gone by,” she says. Dr. Cibik inherited her love of the legendary designer from her mother, whose closet she would raid on a regular basis when she was a child. And, history is repeating itself: Dr. Cibik’s daughter has been known to snag dresses from Mom’s closet, too! The pieces are timeless. She advises: “I think you always have to be willing to change; you have to have elements that are of your own personal taste, but you also have to be able to evolve and adapt so you don’t look dated.”

Tell me about what you are wearing.
This is a Chanel dress. It’s new, it’s fun, and you can wear it from the office to go out, depending on how you dress it up or dress it down. These are the kind of clothes I love. Pieces that can go from one place to another and be accessorized as you’re on the move.

How many pieces of Chanel do you have?
I probably have more than 100 pieces of vintage Chanel. If you consider the accessories, probably 200-250 pieces — but I’ve been collecting since I was a little girl. I can remember my first Chanel purchase was one of those little Chanel bags, the classic 2.55, and I still have it. I saved up my money and that’s what I wanted. I don’t think you have to do that with just Chanel, but I was a little girl and that was my pick.

Did you always have an interest in style and fashion?
Absolutely. I think it goes back to my heritage with my mom and grandma. In fact, when my grandmother died, we had a lot of people in my family who wore a size 5 shoe — but because I was the style queen, I was fortunate enough to inherit the shoe collection. I wore her shoes all through college until they were bare in the soles! Also, my mom was a real fashionista and my favorite place initially to shop was in her closet. She also has an amazing purse collection. That was one of her things way back during the 1960s and the ‘70s. She still collects purses to this day. I learned that value of buying something that would be able to be worn for almost a lifetime from my mother.

What other designers do you wear?
I like to wear a lot of Burberry; it’s classic. The newer stuff is kind of fun and upbeat and it mixes well with what I have — that’s if my daughter doesn’t borrow it from my closet first! She is doing the same thing that I used to do to my mother.

How do you dress at work?
There’s not a whole lot of difference to how I dress in and out of the office because I’m always on the move. I have a large geriatric population because of my specialty in cataract surgery, so they enjoy when I come in dressed up. I dress for my patients and they love it. They like to look at my shoes. I also wear scrubs; you have to be able to wear them with some sense of style, too. Often, I have to go quickly from scrubs to being dressed, so it’s important to have clothes that are easy and don’t take a lot of time ­— that I can just throw on in the ladies locker room or surgery center and go upstairs to see patients. The other thing I always have is running shoes. I’m a runner, I have them everywhere. My operating room staff are always like, “OK, Dr. Cibik, let’s see what shoes you have on today.”

What are the current trends in ophthalmology and surgery in the way people are caring for their vision?
In the field of cataract surgery, we now have the capability to utilize premium intraocular lenses; special lenses that can focus at a distance, near, and intermediate as well. So now, when patients have their cataracts removed, they can opt for one of these special lenses, and 85 percent of the time, don’t have to wear reading or computer glasses. That’s a new shift which is exciting. I think patients are much more conscious of their eyes and how important their vision is. They make routine appointments and check-ups, and take vitamins like OcuVite and A.R.M.D. Eye Support to prevent or stabilize macular degeneration.

Associates in Opthalmology, 888.634.9800.




Dr. Cibik’s favorites

Pets: Her mini poodle, Oscar, and teacup poodle, Louis.

 



Running Shoes: Asics Gel Cushion TR, $100. Pick up a pair at Littles Super Shoe Store, 5850 Forbes Ave., Squirrel Hill. 412.521.3530.

 






Favorite clothing: “Thrifty” Chanel. Ambiance Boutique carries a wide variety. 1039 S. Braddock Ave., Regent Square. 412.243.5523. 428 Allegheny River Blvd., Oakmont. 412.828.1946.



 



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