Cynthia Rowley is one of the top names in the fashion world because of her notable efforts. As an American fashion designer, she was born in Barrington, Illinois. Rowley lives in the neighborhood of Washington Heights, New York City.
After schooling at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Rowley has become a great fashion designer. Also, she is a mother of 3 children which is not a limit to her aspiration and whole career. In 1981, Rowley won an award that motivated her trip to New York City.
In 1988, she began her capsule collection which has developed largely into women’s stuff, glasses, handbags, color cosmetics, wetsuits and swimwear, fragrance, bedding products, home furnishings, and office accessories. In 2003, she wrote a book with her friend, Ilene Rosenzweig. She presented the Mr. Powers collection in 2011 after her husband Bill Powers.
Her efforts have seen her fashions presented at New York Fashion Week twice every year. Also, her stores are in major cities like New York City, Montauk, Chicago, Malibu, Palm Beach, Newport Beach, and Pacific Palisades. Her bright designs are vibrant and described as a whiff of the carefree, simple spirit.
Tell us what your “mom uniform” is…like, what do you wear when doing drop-off at school?
There’s a big gap between casual and put-together. It’s like—layout your clothes—you know you’re a mom when you see more people before 9 am than you ever did. I have to dress from day to night because I go straight to work after drop-off, so I pull something out the night before. Why add more stress in the morning? I get my outfit and my lunch ready the night before like I’m in school.
I do a dress that I can put on higher shoes. I guess the gap I mentioned above is kind of the difference between looking like you’re going to the gym or going to a job. If you look sloppy you feel disorganized. I do wear sneakers though all the time now and even with dresses… look cool and not so “fancy ” all the time.
Skinny jeans with a chunky but high heel, which is comfortable, and a good jacket that adds polish. Could be a wrap, a cape. Or a tote. Even shades! (And with those, you don’t have to do makeup!)
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I wear open-toe sandals year-round. I like sandals with tights and socks. And I like boots with dresses—it’s a quick solution. Boots with bare legs and a dress. But I LOVE socks and sandals.
It’s good to experiment, but not every morning!
So what about makeup?
I wear lipstick and shades.
What do you do for your girls’ school lunch?
I have a setup. A corner in two cabinets filled with supplies from Costco. I make a sandwich, and they have it with fresh fruit/vegetables. A granola bar, fruit roll-up, rice cakes. I send them with a Bobble bottle—they love it because they fill it up at school, so it’s light.
What are your go-to birthday gifts?
I like books for presents. When there are two or three birthdays in a weekend, I buy five of whatever book we’re into. Once Hilary Knight was signing books at the Plaza Hotel, so I bought 20 signed copies, and they were a great present. Another hit was buying a see-saw for twins. I found it online by typing in “wooden see-saw”.
What about bedtime—any rituals?
I always read to them. Even Kit who is 13 and wants to chill. Recently we read Little House on the Prairie. I have a time cap of 15 minutes of reading. I like to get them in the mood by saying things like “close your eyes, smell the campfire…” Then I read slow, and in a quiet voice. Sometimes I read the same page. In a monotone voice…then I take it down. Sometimes I fake falling asleep.
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Gigi’s full-on Fatal Attraction. She’ll be snoring, she’s that asleep, but the minute I get out of her bed, she will grab me and not let me leave. She doesn’t want to miss anything.
What’s your dinner routine?
Everybody cooks—everyone sets the table. We have a point system. They’ll do anything for points. Which they can redeem for dollars at preapproved stores like bookstores or Apple. Gigi keeps sweeping, over, and over.
How do you feel about compliments?
You have to be encouraging and supportive, but you don’t want them to be entitled. People should be thoughtful about compliments.
Thoughts on travel?
We travel all the time and can do so much in one weekend. We did the Grand Canyon in three days, including travel. If you know what you’re going to see and don’t overdo it. We are frantic travelers because we don’t what them to miss school, and for my business, I can’t anyway. But we are going to Bhutan in March!
I asked the girls their favorite things to do and they said travel. You get to be with your kids 24 hours a day and that’s awesome. You go to sleep, wake up, and have the whole day together.
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POSTED IN: WE WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT. TAGGED: DRESSED UP, FASHION, MOM LIFESTYLE, MOM STYLE, MOM UNIFORM.
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