Designer Rebecca Minkoff on Staying Creative and What’s Next for Her Business
Plus, how to see the silver lining in this tricky time.
22 September, 2020
Career
10 November, 2021
Graphics
Rachel Pickus
Each week we’re checking in with friends to see how they’re finding balance, working from home, and generally evolving and advancing their careers. This week we chatted with designer Rebecca Minkoff on how she’s channeling boho ’60s Jane Birkin energy with a much-needed side of gin and Campari to get through a tough workday!
How do you start your days?
“I start my days with much-needed coffee. I enjoy the ritual and sit outside on my deck and just enjoy a moment of silence.”
Are you incorporating movement or exercise into your routine? If yes, anything you’re loving at the moment?
“Yes, I would go insane if I did not! I alternate between my Soul Cycle/Variis ride, a Megan Roup arms or abs series, and/or a Peloton for weights and strength!”
Talk to us a little bit about your work environment right now. Are you back in the office, or working remotely from home?
“Still working remote! I go into the office every other week, usually for a day, to work with my team because you can’t design bags via Zoom!”
What are the most critical things needed for creativity and to survive a workday?
“Lots of water, lots of coffee, deep breaths, and strict scheduling—I try and do all my calls or all my content in one sitting so that I can focus clearly on a type of task at one time and not feel too distracted.”
How do you stay focused and motivated throughout the day? Any tricks you can share?
“Trying to stay positive, see the silver linings. This is hard, but my family and I are healthy, so I look for what we can learn during this time, how we can evolve, and how we can grow.”
“I start my days with much-needed coffee. I enjoy the ritual and sit outside on my deck and just enjoy a moment of silence.”
Are you incorporating movement or exercise into your routine? If yes, anything you’re loving at the moment?
“Yes, I would go insane if I did not! I alternate between my Soul Cycle/Variis ride, a Megan Roup arms or abs series, and/or a Peloton for weights and strength!”
Talk to us a little bit about your work environment right now. Are you back in the office, or working remotely from home?
“Still working remote! I go into the office every other week, usually for a day, to work with my team because you can’t design bags via Zoom!”
What are the most critical things needed for creativity and to survive a workday?
“Lots of water, lots of coffee, deep breaths, and strict scheduling—I try and do all my calls or all my content in one sitting so that I can focus clearly on a type of task at one time and not feel too distracted.”
How do you stay focused and motivated throughout the day? Any tricks you can share?
“Trying to stay positive, see the silver linings. This is hard, but my family and I are healthy, so I look for what we can learn during this time, how we can evolve, and how we can grow.”
It’s a tricky time in our world, and economically speaking, it’s unclear what the future holds. How do you foresee this time impacting your industry?
“I think this is a trying time for almost any industry, but the groundwork for companies to pivot, innovate, and push boundaries has never been more prevalent. Out of every recession there have been incredible companies that have launched—I think we will look back at this time and see the seeds of that happening now.”
From a creative standpoint, who or what has been your biggest influence?
“Music and style icons from the ’60s and ’70s, like Jane Birkin or Patti Smith—the boho/rock woman whose style is always relevant.”
Tell us a little bit about your style right now. What’s your go-to uniform?
“Not going to lie, a lot of workout clothes—sweats, casual and comfy. When I dress up, I wear my summer collection, which includes light, airy fabrics that are easy to wear during this heat.”
Are there any style essentials you rely on for your summer wardrobe?
“Anything in my collection that is a part of our Ying Yang story.”
Let’s switch gears for a minute: Are there any beauty products essential to your day-to-day?
“I love Sunday Riley and also don’t leave anywhere without my Wander Beauty eye patches for those nights where I don’t get enough sleep.”
How do you unwind at the end of the day? Cocktails? Recipe, please!
“Rosé! Rosé! Rosé! Or I do a Campari + gin cocktail with Pomp and Whimsy Gin Liqueur.”
Photos: Courtesy of Rebecca Minkoff
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“I think this is a trying time for almost any industry, but the groundwork for companies to pivot, innovate, and push boundaries has never been more prevalent. Out of every recession there have been incredible companies that have launched—I think we will look back at this time and see the seeds of that happening now.”
From a creative standpoint, who or what has been your biggest influence?
“Music and style icons from the ’60s and ’70s, like Jane Birkin or Patti Smith—the boho/rock woman whose style is always relevant.”
Tell us a little bit about your style right now. What’s your go-to uniform?
“Not going to lie, a lot of workout clothes—sweats, casual and comfy. When I dress up, I wear my summer collection, which includes light, airy fabrics that are easy to wear during this heat.”
Are there any style essentials you rely on for your summer wardrobe?
“Anything in my collection that is a part of our Ying Yang story.”
Let’s switch gears for a minute: Are there any beauty products essential to your day-to-day?
“I love Sunday Riley and also don’t leave anywhere without my Wander Beauty eye patches for those nights where I don’t get enough sleep.”
How do you unwind at the end of the day? Cocktails? Recipe, please!
“Rosé! Rosé! Rosé! Or I do a Campari + gin cocktail with Pomp and Whimsy Gin Liqueur.”
Photos: Courtesy of Rebecca Minkoff
Want more stories like this?
The Duo Behind Fashion Tech Connects Shares Their Strategy for Tackling the Issue of Inclusion in the Industry
This Brooklyn-Based Stylist Has a 4,000-Piece Fashion Archive in Her Basement
Who Gets to Be Casual? Not Plus-Size Women