Erika Girardi Reveals The Two Women That "Set The Standard" For Her Fierce Style

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills fans were introduced to Erika Girardi's mother in the show's Season 7 premiere—and at that moment, it was easy to see where Erika got her looks! Indeed, when we met up with the singer earlier this year, she told The Lookbook that her gorgeous mom was her earliest beauty muse.

Erika, who famously works with creme-de-la-creme makeup artists, first learned about makeup from her mom. "She’s an artist—she’s a painter—and she was also a makeup artist for Adrienne Arpell, if anyone remembers that old-ass line," she laughed. "My mom always taught me that well-placed makeup is better than a lot of makeup. Even though I grew up in the '80s, when people wore a lot of makeup, she always told me: it doesn’t matter how much you put on, it’s where you put it on, and how it’s placed, that really makes a difference between you looking crazy or looking good. And that comes from her being a painter."

Erika's grandmother also gave her an early appreciation for a little panache. "She was very glamorous as well," Erika told us. "She taught my mom everything that she knew. My mom says that my grandmother used to get once-a-week hairdos, and one time she made her hair into a Christmas tree for Christmas! I have begged my mother for this picture. My grandmother was really fashion forward. She used to wear dresses with one arm; She was quite ahead of her time. They used to compare her to Mae West: she was small, blond, and buxom, with a big personality. And she was wonderful."

Though she didn't have to look outside her own family to find tons of inspiration, Erika has always kept an eye on pop culture, as well. "My mom and grandma were definitely the women that set the standard for me," she shared. "And then, obviously, I grew up loving Madonna as a kid. There were also the MGM musicals that I really loved, and I love old Hollywood, black-and-white films. I love Rita Hayworth and Marilyn Monroe and those women."

A film she digs in particular is Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. "The fashion, the makeup, the hair, the costumes, the choreography—the production value’s ridiculous," she raved. "It’s a good time." Sounds kind of like an Erika Jayne show.

The Lookbook is Bravo's home for inspiring content and experiences that feed fashionistas with a steady diet of share-worthy styles, personalities, and industry news. Like us on Facebook to stay connected to our daily updates.