How do you juggle your dual roles as mother and fashion designer?
I have learned that it’s better to do one thing well at a time, rather than try to multitask. I’ve found that I balance my roles better when I focus on one at a time, whether it is motherhood, friendships or my career.
How have your children influenced your brand?
When Ava was born, she made me want to be a better woman. Now that she is 17, I keep my collection young and current because of her and more classic because of me. Tallulah is my fashion queen. She oozes fashion and appreciates all the same things I do, from a beautifully shaped shoe to a bold lip color. My hunch is she will work in fashion in some aspect as well.
What inspired you to create your own line?
I had worked in fashion since I was 14, and creating clothing that I believed in was the next progression and step for me in my early 30s.
How do you carve out time for yourself? How do you spend this time?
I schedule healthy alone time for myself the same way I schedule in a meeting. If I didn’t do that, I would have zero balance in my life. I do yoga, listen to Wayne Dyer, take workout classes, treat myself to massages, and seek out different things that I am curious about- currently breathing techniques!
Where do you like to shop for your daughters?
I shop for Ava on the Rachel Roy website and Revolve.com and for Tallulah, I shop on Yoox and Crew Cuts. I am an online shopper!
Where was your favorite family vacation?
There are SO many favorites. We are a group of girls that believe in making happy memories. We recently had an amazing trip in Bermuda, one of our favorite islands.
What lessons do you hope to instill in your children?
I hope to teach them to reach for healthy tools in times of stress, anxiety and hardships and to keep those tools handy and close. Anything that brings them true joy is a healthy tool, as well as speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves. Kindness is always fashionable.
What words of advice do you have for other mamas?
Forgive yourself and keep going. We succeed much more than we fail, although we can tend to focus on the failures. When we focus on the successes, the more they happen!
How do you give back?
I believe employment is freedom, so I work to create employment in third world countries for women as much as within my means. I have a platform called Kindness is Always fashionable and I work closely with World of Children to fund angels around the world who are dedicated to helping under privileged children. This week, I launched my “Choose Love” capsule collection with a beautiful leather bag and denim jacket, both embossed with the word “LOVE,” and 20% of proceeds are going back to World of Children.
Please tell us what inspired your charity and what it means to you?
I make giving back part of my daily life with my girls. I incorporate it in ways the girls and I enjoy, whether it’s through shopping or creating! We take refugee children back to school shopping, I buy goods from artisans to sell on my website and in my stores, and I create product with artisans to sell in their country. Give back works seamlessly for me when I incorporate it into what I love and what I work on.