This vivid and metaphorical description of cities as women creates a fascinating anthropomorphic imagery that blurs the line between place and personality. The author uses Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley to represent distinct yet related identities—the glamorous, laid-back model versus the youthful, energetic teenybopper. Then, New York is imagined as the cousin, separate yet connected through shared traits but possessing her own unique style and spirit. The portrayal of New York is particularly striking: her hair changes colors reflecting changing moods, symbolizing her dynamic and multifaceted nature. The pale skin contrasting with high-fashion attire like Jil Sander suits and Prada pumps evokes both elegance and intensity. The nuance in walking "faster than a speeding taxi when it is caught in rush hour" captures New York's relentless pace and urgency, even in the choke of a typical city jam. The detail about lips in unusual shades due to a MAC drag queen makeup consultant adds layers of boldness, creativity, and subculture, underscoring the city's vibrant diversity and acceptance of uniqueness. This quote beautifully encapsulates the essence of each place with rich, sensory language and metaphor, lending a personal, almost intimate quality to large, often impersonal urban landscapes. It also highlights the interplay between fashion, mood, personality, and the identity of a city, leaving a space for recognition and further reflection on how places influence and are personified through cultural symbols and attitudes.