How would you describe yourselves in 3 words?
E: Creative, thoughtful, loyal.
M: Happy, inspired, exhausted!
What inspired you to launch The Great?
E: We wanted to build a fully developed, multi-category brand that felt equally casual and effortless as it did charming and playful.
M: I wanted to create everything from T-shirts to dresses that reflected an effortless, casual and thoughtfully nostalgic wardrobe.
How have your children influenced your careers?
M: My kids look at life in a colorful and magical way where anything is possible. I have tried to take that approach myself when being creative. They also keep me real when designing- they are a good reminder that women on the go need to be comfortable.
E: Creatively- I am endlessly inspired by how my kids look at the world and the optimism and joy they see. They allow me to be nostalgic about my own childhood and help me bring free-spirited and fearless energy to what I create. Logistically, having kids has made me one hell of a multi-tasker. It has taught me to say no and to set limits both at work and at home.
What have been your biggest challenges during motherhood thus far?
E: Finding space and unscheduled time to just be together with no agenda. It's hard to find a balance between being present at work when working at home and mothering.
M: Finding a work life balance in where I am not distracted at one with the other.
What values do you hope to instill in your children?
E: Empathy, Creativity and Balance.
M: Confidence, originality, humility.
What classes have you found most beneficial to your children?
E: Singing and dancing seem to bring out smiles in both my girls.
M: Performing arts has instilled a sense of courage and camaraderie that permeates through all aspect to their lives. I have also found that a fun gym class is great for the soul.
What was your most memorable family vacation?
E: We spent a week in the snow at Lake Tahoe. To see the delight of both of my girls seeing and touching snow for the first time was one for the books.
M: We recently went to Hawaii — there was no better memory than swimming in the ocean with all three kids as the sun was setting.
Where do you like to shop for your children?
E: THE GREAT little., Zara, Gap, BonTon and Eggy.
M: THE GREAT Little, Old Navy, BonTon.
How do you feel working alongside your best friend? What are some of the challenges that come along with being business partners?
M: I feel blessed that I can share a successful and creative journey with somebody who is fearlessly creative and kind to the core. Our shared laughter and encouragement has fueled my ambition.
E: It has been such a joy to be on this journey of creating with my best friend. To have someone to cheer with when we succeed or to cry with if we don’t has allowed us to keep our sanity through so many highs and lows. We have many shared experiences that have informed us and defined us. The fact that we are able to walk though this together is incredible.
What do you have coming up that you are most excited about?
M: THE GREAT. continues to expand categorically and to grow and evolve along with our smart and loyal customers. We are enjoying our continued partnership with Pottery Barn for interiors. We also feel continually renewed through styling and love to integrate our point of view and passion into everything from motherhood to the charitable causes we are involved with, like Phase ONE.
E: We are growing THE GREAT. in so many ways and excited about how kindred our customers are with the brand. We are continuing our partnership with Pottery Barn interiors (baby, kids, teen and now adults) and are thrilled we are now designing for the whole family from baby to adult. We continue to style red carpets and to consult with brands on customer facing aspects from product to imagery.
Do you have any secret spots/hidden gems in New York that you can share?
E/M: We are West Coast to the bone, but every time we are in NY we hit up any vintage stores we can find from LES to Brooklyn.