With New York Fashion Week right around the corner (February 11-18) we thought it fitting to put the spotlight on some of our favorite NYC-based moms in the fashion industry! While they all have different styles and brand missions, these 10 style-savvy local mamas all embody the spirit of effortless chic, hard work, innovation, and the true creative spirit of New York City.
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Cynthia Rowley
The Mom: Cynthia Rowley (New York Family's September 2015 cover mom) Her Brand: She's the creator and designer of her namesake collection and has also made forays into color cosmetics, eyewear, accessories, swim, fitness (ROWLEY), office supplies (at Staples), and a West Village candy store (CuRious Candy). Her Look: Cynthia's style is all about blending pretty feminine themes with active and sporty ones. Her prints are unique, her silhouettes are edgy, and her accessories are playful. Her Family: She's the proud mom to two daughters, Kit (age 16) and Gigi (age 11). What's New: Her fitness line ROWLEY (shown above) launched this past fall and continues to make a big splash! We can't wait to see what's in the works for Fall/Winter 2016! Find Her Online: cynthiarowley.com; @cynthia_rowley on Instagram and Twitter. Photo by Michael Jurick -
Shoshanna Gruss
The Mom: Shoshanna Gruss (New York Family's January 2014 cover mom) Her Brand: She's the creator and designer of Shoshanna (which she launched at age 22)--a line of dresses, tops, and swimwear originally aimed at fitting petite women with larger busts. She also designs for the smaller set with her little girls' swim line (Shoshanna Baby Girl) and boats a cosmetics collaboration with Elizabeth Arden. Her Look: Shoshanna knows how to flatter the female body like no one else--her sensibility is classic and a little bit preppy with sexy details and bold color combinations. She's known for her iconic cherry-print bikini design. Her Family: She's a born-and-raised Upper East Side mama-of-three. Her daughter Sienna is 10 and her twins Angelica and Colby are 3. What's New: Last year, her brand launched the Shoshanna Midnight collection of formal and special-occasion dresses, which apply the fun and flattering aesthetic of her regular collection to some different silhouettes. Find Her Online: shoshanna.com; @shopshoshanna & @shoshannagruss on Instagram; @ShopShoshanna & @Shoshanna_Gruss on Twitter. Photo by Sarah Merians -
Tory Burch
The Mom: Tory Burch Her Brand: She's the designer and businesswoman behind her eponymous brand that launched a thousand ballet flats. The Tory Burch brand offers shoes, accessories, swimwear, perfume, makeup, and more. Her Look: While most of us immediately think of the logo-emblazoned Reva Flat, Tory's style is more than just chic shoes: You'll find her designing and wearing looks that embody the spirit of bohemian luxury. It's all about mixing classic looks with boho details. Her Family: Tory has three sons: Twins Nicholas and Henry (18) and son Sawyer (14). What's New: In 2015, the Tory Burch brand launched Tory Sport, a fitness line offering clothing, a Fit Bit collaboration, sport bags, swimwear, athletic shoes, and more. Find Her Online: toryburch.com; @toryburch on Instagram and Twitter. Photo via toryburch.com -
Rebecca Minkoff
The Mom: Rebecca Minkoff Her Brand: She's the creator and designer of her own namesake brand of women's clothing and accessories as well as the creatvie genius behind Uri Minkoff, a "lifestyle brand for urban men." Her Look: Rebecca made her mark on the fashion scene with edgy details like fringe and rocker-esque studs. While she's still the queen of chic, urban accessories, her clothing line is equal parts city cool, rocker edge, and boho beachy (think summer and resort collections). Her Family: Rebecca now has two little ones: Son Luca (age 4) and daughter Bowie Lou (age 1.5). What's New: Check out her website now for a yummy V-Day collaboration with Maggie Louise Confections. Plus, you can enter her #SeeBuyWear Sweepstakes now for a chance to attend her February 13 NYFW runway show. Find Her Online: rebeccaminkoff.com; @rebeccaminkoff on Instagram & Twitter. Photo by Adam McReynolds -
Mara Hoffman
The Mom: Mara Hoffman Her Brand: About two years ago, the fashion world first started to really go wild for Mara's eponymous line of psychedelically printed swim and beachwear. She now also has a bridal line and a kids' line, as well as a collection of accessories and activewear. Her Look: Mara's style is all about wild and wonderful prints. Whether it's other-worldly florals or mind-boggling geometrics, she definitely has a signature look. When it comes to silhouettes, her line features equal parts breezy beach dresses and uniquely cut swimsuits and cocktail attire. Her Family: This Brooklyn-based designer has a 4.5-year-old son, Joaquin. What's New: While every season from Mara's line makes for fresh eye-candy, be sure not to miss her line of beach towels with Pendleton; and we're also hoping she collaborates with crewcuts for J.Crew on more pint-sized swimwear (like she did last spring). Find Her Online: marahoffman.com; @marahoffman on Instagram and Twitter. Photo via facebook.com/officialmarahoffman -
Jenna Lyons of J.Crew
The Mom: Jenna Lyons Her Brand: Jenna has been the creative director and president for J.Crew since 2008 and 2010, respectively. She also has become a public face for the quintessential J.Crew woman: Fierce, quirky, professional, and fashionably daring. Her Look: Jenna is known for effortlessly mixing and matching all manner of J.Crew picks. She's a genius at pairing unexpected prints and contrasting textures for a look that combines J.Crew prep with high-fashion androgyny. Her Family: Jenna's son Beckett (who has made appearances in the J.Crew catalog before) is 9. What's New: J.Crew *just* debuted their very first line of sunglasses for both men and women (think classic lines with frames of navy and neon) and the whole world seems to be loving every pair. Find Her Online: hello.jcrew.com; @jcrew on Instagram and Twitter. Photo by Clément Pascal; via hello.jcrew.com -
Stacey Bendet of alice + olivia
The Mom: Stacey Bendet Her Brand: Stacey is the creator and designer behind the brand alice + olivia. The line offers high-fashion clothes, shoes, and accessories. Her Look: Stacey's style--and alice + olivia's--is rife with colorful prints, structured silhouettes, whimsical graphics, and luxe details (like beading, embroidery, gems, and fur). Paired with Stacey's signature winged eyeliner and svelte physique, a+o pieces are always a savvy style statement. Her Family: Stacey and her husband, film producer Eric Eisner, have three daughters: Eloise (6.5), Scarlet (4), and new baby Athena. What's New: Aside from giving birth to her third child back in September, Stacey has been busy with the recent launch of alice + olivia's super-cool Greatful Dead capsule collection. Find Her Online: aliceandolivia.com; @aliceandolivia on Instagram; @staceybendet & @aliceandolivia on Twitter. Photo via aliceandolivia.com/blog -
Betsey Johnson
The Mom (and Grandmother): Betsey Johnson (New York Family's September 2010 cover star) Her Brand: Her namesake line of retro-yet-sexy dresses, shoes, jewelry, accessories, and intimates has long been a favorite of bold fashionistas of all ages. Her Look: Betsey is known for her signature bright blonde locks and fun choices with both makeup and fashion. She's a rocker at heart with a whole lot of girly-girl kitsch mixed in. Her Family: Betsey's daughter, Lulu, worked for the company for many years up until 2008, and has two daughters of her own--Betsey's granddaughters Layla (9) and Ella (7). What's New: Last spring, Betsey's brand launched an adorable line of bridal-themed accessories called Betsey Blue. And of course, she's still going strong with the Kitsch line of accessories and with the signature prints and silhouettes that made her famous. Find Her Online: betseyjohnson.com; @xoBetseyJohnson on Instagram and Twitter. Photo by Thaddeus Harden -
Georgina Chapman of Marchesa
The Mom: Georgina Chapman Her Brand: Georgina is the co-founder of the dreamy fashion label Marchesa. Her Look: Both Georgina and the Marchesa brand are known for high elegance and old-world glamour. Georgina is usually sporting a lovely glow and dressed in something fabulous and embellished with jewels and sparkles. Her Family: This British beauty has two children with her husband, film mogul Harvey Weinstein: India Pearl (age 5) and Dashiell (age 2). What's New: Marchesa recently announced a collaboration with boho bridal retailer BHLDN (slated to hit stores this spring); the brand also recently partnered with Rent the Runway on six new and exclusive looks available for special occasion rental. Additionally, Georgina continues her role as a judge on Lifetime's "Project Runway All Stars" and was appointed as a St Regis Connoisseur this past spring. Find Her Online: marchesa.com; @georginachapmanmarchesa & @marchesafashion on Instagram; @georginachapman & @MarchesaFashion on Twitter. Photo via twitter.com/georginachapman -
Michelle Smith of MILLY
The Mom: Michelle Smith Her Brand: She's the designer behind the bold, modern, and feminine brand MILLY--which offers ready-to-wear clothing, shoes, swimwear, and accessories--as well as the MILLY Minis kids' line. Her Look: You'll find Michelle in looks that are fresh and classic with a modern edge. MILLY specializes in American sportswear and chic basics with a twist (think luxurious fabrics, unique structures, and eye-catching embellishments) and Michelle usually looks every bit the ambassador of her brand's aesthetic that she is. Her Family: Michelle has a 9-year-old daughter, Sophia, who is said to be a big inspiration for much of the MILLY Minis line. What's New: MILLY currently offers a collaboration with the high-end stationery brand Dempsey and Carroll: A sweet-and-chic line of correspondence supplies. Find Her Online: milly.com; @MillybyMichelle on Instagram and Twitter. Photo via milly.com