TikTok Calls Her the Real-Life Carrie Bradshaw

And just like that… Carrie Bradshaw joined TikTok. Well, sort of: On the app, Carla Rockmore is sharing her eclectic outfits and styling tricks, and her followers have deemed her the real-life Carrie Bradshaw as a result. Given their shared love of bold colors, clashing pieces, and designer shoes, we would have to agree.

By day, Rockmore—who is based in Dallas, Texas—is a full-time content creator and jewelry designer. She joined TikTok in April this year, and now she already has over 540,000 followers, all of whom are obsessed with her flamboyant personal style. At 54, her ensembles are as fabulous and bold as ever. “My style is definitely eclectic and far-reaching: The one thing that stays consistent is my need to challenge my outfit, and juxtapose pieces that you wouldn’t think would work together,” says Rockmore of her wardrobe. “That’s what makes a look so interesting.”

On her page, Rockmore often shares outfit ideas from inside her closet, which spans two floors and features a fireplace and spiral staircase. She will put things together like a Studio 54-themed fit, including Carolina Herrera palazzo pants and strappy platforms, or slip into a striped Christopher John Rogers dress. It’s easy to imagine Carrie wearing the exact same thing on the show (Rockmore’s amazing curly hair is also very Carrie). She’s flattered at the constant comparisons. “Carrie’s character in the show is nothing like me,” Rockmore says. “But what always resonated deeply with me was how Patricia Field styled the character.”

Below, Rockmore discusses what’s in her closet, her process for creating TikToks, and what video she wants to film next. 

What made you want to start creating on TikTok? 

There really wasn’t a set plan or strategy for this incredible journey. I was a clothing designer in my 20s and 30s, then I parlayed that into jewelry design in my 40s (and now 50s), inspired by my never-ending collection of vintage baubles. I was flying back from Jaipur, India in March 2020—where my semi-precious  jewelry line was being developed—and lockdown started the minute I arrived home. I quickly came to terms with the fact that developing anything out of India during Covid was just not going to happen for a while. It was guttural and instinctive to turn on that camera, and start expressing myself through the vast cave of treasures I’ve been collecting for more than 30 years.

What’s your process for creating TikToks? 

I wish I could say that I’m methodical or strategic about the whole process. I’m not. I need to be inspired by something, and there’s this frantic immediate need in me to shoot it. I could be rifling through an old bin of bangles, or a new item arrives, or see an old movie that sparks the flame. It doesn’t matter. I know exactly what I want to film and how I want to do it. I don’t script it. I can’t; I’ve tried. I just start shooting and figure I’ll clean it up in the editing process. That’s another amazing discovery for me. I never realized how incredibly creative editing is. When you’re working on a piece you are laser focused. I get such a rush doing the editing myself and it felt good learning how to do it. I am also grateful for all of the interesting comments and questions from my followers. It has inspired me to try to incorporate many of their requests and inquiries into some of my production.

How would you describe your style? 

My style is all over the place. I know what I like, and gravitate towards those things. The one thing that stays consistent is my need to challenge my outfit, and juxtapose pieces that you wouldn’t think would work together. That’s what makes a look so interesting. In terms of actual shopping, I don’t really know what I did before the internet. I like to be informed and know what’s coming down the pipe. I watch the shows and read the trade publications because that was my job for years, but also because newness and being surrounded in any capacity by other like-minded creatives makes me giddy. I earmark what’s speaking to me and search the vintage market first, because that’s where it all started. If it's coming down the runways, then there’s definitely an earlier and more interesting version of it out there. My high investment designer picks I will pre-order, or put in a wish list until I’m ready to push the button. I love watching up and coming obscure designers from around the world. To pepper in the trends I know will pass quickly, I look to the ‘high street shops.’

What's the most special piece in your closet? 

It’s a four-way tie between a vintage Jean Paul Gaultier hooded jersey “baby print” dress from his propaganda collection, the same Trifari necklace Meryl Streep wore in the opening scene as Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada, my grandmother’s braided silver and gold box clutch from the early ’50s, and my son’s navy patent leather Nikes with the baby blue swoosh he wore when he was one year old. 

Tell us about your closet! It is so organized (and big!). How do you keep everything in line? 

I organize all of my clothes seasonally. I do have an obsession with containers and specific storage vessels for accessories. For example, the Container Store sells fabulous lucite hat boxes and ‘clutch stand’ organizers. The Ikea cubicle shelving works hand in hand with my many stacked tubs of categorized vintage jewelry. I find it’s really important for boots to maintain their shape, so I am always careful to use boot ‘shapers.’ I recently discovered the most amazing shoulder bag hangers from one of my Instagram followers. I thank her every day when I see those bags displayed so beautifully.   

What would you say is your biggest shopping weakness (shoes, coats, jewelry, etc) is? 

It’s accessories, accessories and more accessories.  I use clothing as a canvas. A good bag, shoe, hat, or necklace can turn any pair of pants or blouse into something completely different and spectacular. In terms of shoes, all rhyme and reason flies out the door. I look at a pair that turns me on, and I have zero willpower to say no. We’re not going to go into how many I have, but shockingly, I am starting to encroach on my husband’s closet. My jewelry collection is not as visceral. I’m more strategic and selective as I age. It’s become a curated collection of treasures I now want to pass down to loved ones. 

What are your thoughts on TikTok commenters calling you the real-life Carrie Bradshaw? 

I’m beyond flattered. Carrie’s character in the show is nothing like me, but what always resonated deeply with me was how Patricia Field styled the character. Watching the eclectic mix of a tiny rocker t-shirt paired with a taffeta maxi skirt and a chunky cluster of a pearl choker is gospel in my eyes, and I felt somewhat vindicated. I say “vindication” with a bit of hesitation because I never felt I needed to justify or explain my fashion choices. It was just nice to see someone on screen that dressed as I do. 

What, in your eyes, defines 50+ style? What are the misconceptions you hope to break about 50+ style?

The French saying “Elle être bien dans sa peau” is my mantra. It translates into, “She sits well in her skin.” Unfortunately, life compels women to marinate and experience for a while before they can recognize and appreciate their unique style. Thankfully, once a woman enters her 50s, her style is baked in. That’s when true sophisticated style manifests. She feels no need to apologize for buying the same style pants over and over again, because she recognizes that the cut is fabulous on her regardless of trend. It’s so stifling to follow the doctrine that a woman over 50 needs to cut her hair or stop wearing short skirts because of a number. If you have a fabulous mop of hair or fantastic legs, celebrate them.

We love your many styling videos. What do you think is the trickiest styling job to get right? 

For me, it’s the fact that the original outfit you had in mind can be thrown off completely by the tiniest shift. A look can start off with a definite direction, but based on how a blouse drapes, or that a specific necklace you had in mind just isn’t working, you must be willing to pivot. You have to be accepting and embrace those little surprises rather than try to force the look. Be fluid and play with options rather than get frustrated. Listen to your gut. That’s the trickiest part of styling. 

What has been your most viral video, and why do you think it went viral? 

There have been a few that have gone viral, and it’s obvious why the closet video seems to have the most views. It hit 3.2 million views because not everybody has a closet with a fireplace and spiral staircase, and there’s a voyeuristic quality to that. I think ‘Criss Cross Apple Sauce’ and ‘Use Your Wish List’ were relevant on deeper levels. In each of those videos, I taught something, I took the viewer on a journey, and I shared something that was going on in my life. I also dress in styles many women can implement in their own wardrobes. I’m accessible, and it seems somewhat comforting. 

What's your favorite TikTok of all time? And which one took you the longest? 

I thought “Carla’s Boot Conundrum” was really fun because it’s such slapstick relatable humor. In terms of the longest videos, definitely the early musical ones where I did numerous outfit changes. I did a necklace video to Doris Day’s “Bushel and a Peck,” which took me all day, but it reminded me to wear a few necklaces that I hadn’t given enough love to in a long time.

What's the next big idea you want to attempt on TikTok?

I think it would be such a dream to take this show on the road … so to speak. Prior to Covid, I was a big traveler. I was often going to the far reaches of the world to markets and famous shopping areas. I’d love to take my viewers on those trips. It would also be fabulous to visit famous retail shops like Colette in Paris or Ikram in Chicago, and then mix my picks with bounty that I find in the local vintage shop and markets.