Fashion Brings The Hills Enemies Together

Seems like cat-walking trumps cat fighting, at least in Hollywood.

Reality star Lauren Conrad’s debut at L.A.’s Mercedes Benz (DAI)  Fashion Week not only introduced her clothes line to the fashion world,  it reunited her with television frenemy Kristen Cavallari.

Sporting a bright blue top from Conrad's collection, Cavallari sat front row at the March 11 show, to support her former Laguna Beach (VIA) arch rival.  "She has an amazing line," said Cavallari.  Later Conrad told E! Online (CMCSA), that even though the two have fought over boyfriends in the past, the rivalry is old news. "I think people just play up the fact that we didn't get along two years ago.  She's a sweet girl, so we get along." 

While Conrad and Cavallari aren’t working together right now, they are both in the entertainment industry and experts say that their public praise for each other is one of the best things that personal enemies can do to mend a professional relationship. And that is an important lesson for anyone who networks professionally. “People can give credit publically for a job well done, and, start treating their enemy as a regular person, or better,” says Kathi Elster, who co-wrote Working With You Is Killing Me.  “If they do this, their deep hatred may not go away but at least the professional relationship can be intact.”

Whether it is an old scheming backstabber or just a new annoying co-worker, sometimes people are forced to work with someone they cannot stand. Still, it is important to keep those personal feelings out of the workplace. “Why we are at work is not about liking each other, it is about getting a job done,” says Elster.  Katherine Crowley, who also co-wrote Working With You is Killing Me adds, “You have to focus on the work at hand that must be accomplished.”