Fashion icon Cynthia Rowley runs a global empire (fashion, home, books, band-aids!) while raising her two young daughters—Kit, an old soul, and Gigi, a boisterous spirit. Both girls are smart, clever, and funny, with impeccable manners to boot. With their jam-packed schedules—work, school, and countless activities like ceramics and sewing—Rowley somehow strikes a delicate balance between her 24-hour work life and her role as devoted mother of two. Along with husband (and art gallery owner) Bill Powers, Rowley has created a whimsical home, perfect for family togetherness—from arts and crafts projects at the antique dining table to occasional night swims in the outdoor pool.
Kit, twelve years old
Gigi, six years old October 2011"When my first daughter, Kit, was a baby everyone kept telling me to cherish every moment because it goes by so fast and, although it is a bit of a cliché, it is so true and I believe it more and more every day."
Kit and Gigi's bedroom
"If I had more time, I'd do the exact same thing we're already doing, just a lot more of it!"
On Gigi, left: Cynthia Rowley dress and Gucci hat
On Kit, right: Zara dress
"I love that New York allows us to pack a lot of different things into each day
and the options of new experiences are unlimited."
Homework time
"I’ve tried letting Gigi pick out her own outfits before school but she always wants to wear pajamas, so that's not happening anymore."
On Kit: Cynthia Rowley vest
Gigi with her Barbies
1. "Cover-up no make up with sunglasses.
2. A black Sharpie can be used for eyeliner in a pinch.
3. When you want to splurge, go to Lilibeth for eyelash extensions."
"Luckily, we all really enjoy the same types of activities that we can do together as a
family. So while I'm spending time with my kids, I'm also spending valuable
time with my hubby."
Kit: "My mom is my favorite designer. Coco Chanel also inspires me, so I chose her as the subject of a writing project for school. I put on these pearls to get in character while I write."
1. Favorite thing about New York: "The city is so big and there are so many parks."
2. Favorite food: "Pasta"
3. Favorite thing to do with mom and dad: "Cook"
Photos of Kit and Gigi by Terry Richardson
1. Kit
2. Gigi
3. Bill Powers
4. All of the above in Montauk
Gigi's gold shoes from Target
Kit and Gigi's built-in bunk beds
Bieber fever
Art-adorned wall in the girls' bedroom
The beginning of Gigi's Candy Land-inspired drawing
"In the mornings, I get up early, make coffee, and come out here for a swim. If it's cold out, I put my wetsuit on and swim laps. Sometimes, we all go for night swims together."
On Kit: Gap two-piece
On Gigi: Crewcuts one-piece
Gigi working on the doll-making project she started with her mom and sister
Doll-making supplies
"Gigi can’t help herself—she wipes it off when I kiss
her."
1. Favorite items of clothing: "Mick Jagger T-shirt, and sparkly suspenders"
2. Favorite things about New York: "It's loud and busy, even at night."
3. Favorite food: "Cookie dough, French fries, and mashed potatoes with caviar"
4. Favorite thing to do with mom and dad: "Travel"
The homework nook
Gigi gets ready for an after-school, pre-ceramics dip in the pool
Homemade yellow hair clip
"I try to incorporate my kids into my work so I can show them
that hard work pays off. If I have to take my work home with me at the
end of the day, I always save it for after the kids go to bed or before they wake
up."
On Cynthia: Cynthia Rowley dress
The girls doing their homework together
Kit: "We sometimes read this picture book about Coco Chanel as a bedtime story, but I really didn’t know too much about her before started this school project."
"I don’t belong to a gym—all of my exercise comes from high impact kid-infused activities, like swimming, surfing, tennis, biking, hiking, skiing and jumping on the trampoline. Note: lifting 40lbs every time someone says 'uppy' can really tone your triceps."
"Gigi's boisterous, while Kit's really chill."
"I’ve been told by my husband that it would probably be better for our
marriage if I stop answering the question, 'How many kids do you have?'
with, 'Three, if you count my husband'".
The gold piano is used as an ice bucket during parties
"These vintage overalls are my weekend-wear."
From left to right: Gigi's gold shoes from Target, Kit's Bonpoint brogues, and Cynthia's CR platform Mary-Janes
Cynthia's recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie
From the FEED Our Small World Cookbook
