You have a really strong sense of self when it comes to fashion and beauty...has that always been the case or have you really cultivated this during your time at Donna Karan?
“That comes directly from my mother. She is a stickler for always looking your best. She'll tell you when you need more bronzer or a stronger lip (I never have to ask). She'll caution that you'll always run into the person you least want to see when you look your worst. As far as fashion, it's in my blood. My grandmother made all of my mother's clothes growing up, and I got my first sewing machine at age three. The first look I ever made was for Barbie—I did a pouf-shoulder dress and for the poufs, I slid cotton balls up her arms.”

Photographed by Mark Iantosca