We often get a cute little black dress with an open back or a flattering silky dress that shows every detail of the body, but never give much thought on HOW we will wear our undergarments and still look have it look seamless. Luckily, two of the best celebrity stylists are here to help: Simone Harouche and Jamie Mizrahi. This power duo just launched their undergarments essentials line named, The Kit with the perfect solution when dressing for any occasion. The line is incredibly comfortable and practical for everyone. You’ll find everything from bodysuits to unlined soft bras, even pieces you never knew existed! Thanks to them now we’ll be red carpet ready in our everyday life.
You are moms, stylists, designers and entrepreneurs. How do you manage to juggle all of these occupations and make it all work?
Simone: I thought a lot about how I was going to answer this question, because the last thing I want to do is give readers the wrong impression that I actually "make it work.”
It takes a village to do it all, in addition to my husband and I, we have a nanny and very helpful mothers and my sister, who all live locally (Thank God). Even with a strong support system, I barely can handle it all... Ultimately, life is a balancing act and if you don't make time for all the parts of your life that are important to you, something will ultimately suffer. That's just life in 2019. Before I had kids, I was a multi-tasking machine, I had the stamina to work 18-hour days on set (while I was pregnant with my first child), but once he came, my priorities shifted and I made a conscious choice to do a complete life edit on anything that took time and energy that wasn’t good for me. I finally said no to friends, clients, habits and things that were no longer serving me, in order to make space for the people and things that did.
Jamie: I’m still trying to figure it out… Being an entrepreneur is a new and way different profession to add to the list and I, personally, am just trying to figure out what that means exactly, and how to navigate everything in my life in a controllable way! It requires an organized calendar, lots of planning and communication. I’m definitely more of a fly by the seat of my pants type of person so this new way of life feels a bit foreign to me. I’m starting to get the hang of it though!
Share your favorite styling moment to date…
Simone: Too many to pick one. All my clients are so different and their perspectives are so individually unique. I can't choose one, but can name a few: Kim Kardashian, Metball 2018, or anything I did working with Miley Cyrus during the Bangerz era. I really had fun with those looks!
Jamie: Riley Keough for the golden globes. She wore Chanel with a big black bow in her hair. It was such a beautiful, timeless look that I’ll always be a fan of!
What was your inspiration for The Kit, and how did you launch the company? Tell us your story!
Simone: Jaime and I were talking one day, and we were literally just exchanging tips and insights on styling. She asked me a question about where I had something made and then the next thing I know she says, “You know what, we should start a line together.”
And at first I thinking to myself like “Is she crazy!? There is no way that her and I, with all the things that we have going on in our lives are gonna be able to pull that off!!!”
Then she said, "It’s perfect! It will be a line of curated pieces from two stylists who know womens' bodies!” And then I thought to myself, “She’s right, we could really do this! We know how to make things specifically for womens' undergarment needs, and we do you know womens' bodies! Holy s#@t! This could actually work!” And look, two years later we are here! But I have to say that was no easy feat, and we definitely put a lot of pressure on ourselves to make it happen, Jamie and I are both overachievers!
Jamie: For years, as a stylist, I would run around town trying to find the best undergarments for my clients… creating them if they didn’t exist. Simone is someone that I’ve gone to for advice, tips and tricks and about 2.5 years ago we asked ourselves the question of, “how do people do this who aren’t stylists… who don’t have the time and/or expertise?” We realized we wanted to create a brand where we could bring that education and knowledge to all women and give them the products they need under one roof. Our “kit” as stylists is our little bag of magic with everything you need to set the foundation of what you're wearing… to help you get dressed. Hence, where the name came from! We have just scratched the surface and we can’t wait to continue to bring specialty products and innovations to women who want help getting dressed!
As hardworking moms, there tends to not be enough time in the day... How do you carve out time for yourselves? How do you spend this time?
Simone: Finding time is always the most difficult thing for me to do. There’s always an excuse or a reason (whether it’s with the kids or work related).
I don't think I am doing the best job of taking care of myself. I don't work out as much as I should, or do things for myself. But I think being aware of it, is half the battle. Something I have been doing lately that is actually helping me a lot is to have regular standing appointments/commitments. If it's scheduled in my calendar and its on a weekly occurrence, I have to be accountable and I try my hardest to show up.
Jamie: Again, I’m still figuring that all out. I used to be someone who would work out every day - now I’ve carved out time to exercise one day a week.. a set time that I cannot miss. I’m working on adding a second day but it’s hard - when I’m not working I want to be with my son and when I’m not with my son I have work to do — not to mention trying to find time to see my husband, friends and do the other things I've always tried to make time to do - pottery, painting, hiking, acupuncture!
As two moms with the best taste, where do you like to shop for your children?
Simone: I love the online intl store Smallable they have the best brands and curated cool buys. Other online stores I like are Finger in the Nose, NUNUNU, and Munster Kids. For brink and mortar, I love Trico Field, Bonpoint, Poppy in Brentwood, and Eggy in West Hollywood.
Jamie: I shop mostly only! Maisonette, The Animal Observatory, Smallable, Zara!
Are there any secret hidden gems in LA that you can share with us?
Simone: But then they wouldn’t be a secret lol just teasing. Burro kids & firefly kids in Venice, Yolk on the east side, and there are also a few small shops with adorable kids clothes along Topanga Canyon.
Jamie: I think LA has the best vintage -Scout, Sielians, The Way We Wore, Paper Bag Princess.
How have your children impacted your career? How do they inspire you?
Simone: I think my kids have impacted my career in a lot of ways. When they were born, everything changed for me, as I was a highly productive, high functioning person, and then once I had my son, all of a sudden I couldn’t figure out how to get out the door before 3 PM! That was a big wake up call for me. I took inventory of everything that was happening in my life, and what I was having difficulties with at the time. A lot of my issues came from being spread too thin and not knowing how to manage everything or say “no.” So a big change came when I learned to say no to job and clients that I simply couldn’t take on because I either didn't have the time, or the client/job was going to be too difficult, or not respectful of my time. I think that having kids makes you set boundaries for yourself.
My kids have also forced me to slow down (which is a blessing). Before them, I was moving at much too fast of a pace. It was definitely the right choice for me. Every year that passes and one of my children turns a year older (and I have my bi-annual meltdown in the bathroom about it), I am reminded to slow down and enjoy these moments because they go so fast.
What I’m really trying to work on now, since the launch of the kit undergarment, is that my time is even more limited. Now, when I do have time with my kids, I make sure that it is quality time being spent together. I’m not on my phone, I’m not doing work, and I’m not distracted. I’m spending quality time with them, and it is those moments, when we are all connecting, that are way more special and meaningful to all us.
Jamie: My son has taught me how to be more present.. focused.. when I’m working on something, giving my attention to it 100 percent. He inspires me to want to be in the now.
What words of advice do you have for other moms out there looking to create their own businesses?
Simone: My advice would be that as a mother, you’re always going to feel guilty no matter what you do. Try and give yourself a break, because all moms have this guilt and it’s self inflicted. I have friends who don’t work, and feel guilty about having a nanny or wanting to take their kids to daycare, just so they can get in a little personal time. I have other friends who feel guilty because they are going through personal stuff and can’t really connect with their kids as well as they normally do. We will always feel guilty that we are not doing enough. Guilty that you’re doing too much. The guilt is never ending. That being said, if you are in the process of creating your own business and you’re spending time away from your kids, try to because you are busy building your empire you will feel guilty. BUT, if you’re spending time away from your kids to better your families lives, then it is a sacrifice that they will respect you more for making.
My other piece of advice and this goes to all moms is to try not to judge yourself or be so hard on yourself. The grass is always greener on the other side and everyone else is going through it just like you. You’re doing the best you can.
Jamie: It’s hard work… And it takes dedication… Make sure you love what you’re doing because it is all consuming… Make sure you love what you’re putting out in the world!!!!!
Do you have any fun collaborations in the pipelines that you can tell us about?
Jamie: We have fun things happening for the holidays and valentines day! Stay tuned!
How do you give back?
Simone: Our family is dedicated to helping fight against social injustices and inequalities equality, the environment and numerous social injustices currently taking place. We volunteer and contribute to organizations that reflect our values and beliefs such as the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, Greenpeace, The Sierra Club, Baby2Baby..
It is our goal that by being responsible members of the community, we are setting a positive example for our kids. Due to my line of work, I am fortunate enough to have a small platform on social media, which I occasionally use to express my feelings about issues important to me, such as equality, the environment and numerous social injustices currently taking place. We believe in standing up for what we believe in, rather than taking the safe route and being silent.
Jamie: I try to give back in many different ways - for the holidays, my family adopts families through Baby2Baby to make sure that they experience.
Share your personal mantras…
Jamie: Stay in your own lane.