Perseverance: NYC Mom Moguls Discuss Life as Working Mothers

By Sara Anne Fingerman, Arts and Entertainment Writer, Sara@gemmagazineli.com

Balancing motherhood and marriage, social life and the school play, a female–owned business and finger painting doesn’t have to be a struggle.  It can be achieved with a little patience, organization, and ease, while still looking and feeling fabulous.

Designer Rebecca Minkoff, Gilt Groupe’s Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, celeb stylist June Ambrose, jewelry designer Jennifer Fisher and style and beauty expert, Mary Alice Stephenson, actress and fashion icon Veronica Webb were among the panelists at the May 7 First Annual Mom Mogul Breakfast hosted by Divamoms.com founder Lyss Stern and More Magazine’s Sabine Feldman at Restaurant Bond 45 in Midtown Manhattan.

Panelists helped share their secret to success.  Here are a few that stood out:

Best known for her handbags, Rebecca Minkoff wanted a fancy designer dress when she was a little girl. Her mother gave her a needle and thread and encouraged her to sew one herself.  Rebecca’s mother offered her the gift of independence, which resulted in a successful brand. Minkoff told attendees to “take time to stop and smell the roses and everything will come into place”.

If you are a working mom struggling to get the kids out on time, celebrity stylist June Ambrose suggests meditation. “Wake before the Quake”, wake up an hour before your children (and have some time on your own!).  Not only will you feel wonderful, but also your children will see a more relaxed, ready–to–go mom.

Stern asked panelists what advice they would give to moms who are aspiring to launch their own businesses. Jennifer Fisher, jewelry designer said, “ Just do it, you never know how it’s going to go unless you try. Who cares if you make mistakes? Just try!” Fisher started her business out of her bedroom selling jewelry and turned her side business into an empire. Her jewelry has been worn in many feature films and hit television shows and movies.

Model and actress Veronica Webb told attendees to take time to do nothing. Cuddle time with your children is important. They need to feel loved and you need to bond with your children as well.

Goodbye Beach Bum!

image courtesy of Marie Clare

Are you part of the lucky bunch with a warm weather vacation in your plans?  Well, not only are we jealous of your upcoming sun, sand, and surf, we also want to help you find the perfect swimsuit for that oceanside getaway.  And we’ve got partners-in-crime!  The always dependable style experts at Marie Clare recently put their brains together to come up with the perfect guide for beach-goers: “Swimsuits for Every Body Type“.  Petite, curvy, or athletic, there is rock solid advice for every mermaid girl out there; and with some of these tips coming straight from legendary beachwear designer Norma Kamali herself, you’ll want to peel that towel off before you even reach the beach.  Each body type section offers an array of silhouettes and designers to complement your shape and cater to your vacation style.  No matter your price point, Marie Clare and Fashion Societe will make sure you’re a perfect 10 on and off shore.

Club Monaco’s Summer Preview

While everyone is focused on spring fashion, we feel it’s time to start putting our feelers out for summer styles. Club Monaco has some fresh new looks that include a mix of different fashion trends.

Caroline Belhumeur who is the brand senior vice president of women’s design says that July will keep the sixties with looks that are “very naive and simple.” (WWD.com) A more contemporary take will occur once August and September comes around with breezy lightweight fabrics in neutral tones and pencil skirts with leather detailed pockets for some edge. September brings sexy miniskirts with fur trimmed coats and burned out tees in soft satin.

For the men, we will see chinos in a slim fit and shorter cut blazers in July, and as the summer roars on the clothing will take a different stroll with “indian madras” that include denim jackets and ripped chinos, a sense of preppy grunge. Soft sweaters made out of mohair along with corduroy pants will be the look for the start of autumn along with relaxed wool blazers that match just about everything.